Publishers note: on March 11, 2021, Dave DeCicco, the younger brother of Duplex owner Tony DeCicco, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in his sleep. He was only 52 years old. Dave’s death was a terrible shock, which naturally caused much sadness in the cabaret and piano bar community.
Because Dave was much-loved, we asked one of those who knew him well, long-time Duplex performer, Maria Gentile, to remember him. With her own recollections, below, are those of his friends who knew and also cherished him. Our thanks to Maria for compiling these thoughts and facts about Dave.
Our condolences go out to Tony DeCicco and the DeCicco family.
Dave DeCicco was born on Aug 14th, 1969, one of seven children. He lived his entire life in Bayonne, NJ, a relatively small town in the New York metropolitan area—the kind of close-knit town where everyone knows each other. Friends found it fitting and “perfect” that he lived on Story Court in Bayonne, since one of his talents and loves was to tell “wonderful stories.” Dave attended the all-boys Hudson Catholic H.S. in neighboring Jersey City, but spent lots of time at the nearby Holy Name Academy, an all girls school. The reason: Dave loved the stage and spent lots of time performing at Holy Name, which welcomed actors from all the local High Schools.
Dave was the doorman at the Duplex Piano Bar for the last 30 yrs and became a manager 15 years ago. Among his joys was playing Santa Claus in staff Christmas shows. He loved to sing in the Piano Bar and when he wasn’t manning his post would get up to the mic at the request of many patrons and “sing his big heart out.” Audiences loved his rich baritone voice and passion for “good ole boy” songs that celebrated the working class. The piano players and staff of the Duplex had a special jingle about Dave and would often introduce him as “Dave Your Non-confrontational Doorman.” That nickname because he was a “pussy cat” who hated confrontation. His approach was to talk someone into leaving rather than forcing them out.
Among his other passions was a deep love of animals, who always seemed to gravitate toward him. Dave was a life-long NY Mets and NY Giants fan; he could talk sports endlessly, as well as go toe-to-toe with anyone on the subject of politics. He also was intensely interested in sociology and psychology and could likewise talk “forever” about matters that involved human behavior.
According to Gentile and those who contributed to this memorial, everybody LOVED Dave, from co-workers to patrons of the Duplex and beyond. He was that big-hearted, always smiling, gentle-giant presence that welcomed you at the door and checked your ID. Singer Lisa Viggiano, a family and childhood friend says Dave was a “beautiful guy,” very well-loved. Others have commented that Dave was “kind beyond belief, treating people with love and acceptance,” and that “Dave was an ally, and that’s what we’ll miss about him the most. Another agreed: “this is one of the truest things ever spoken about him.” Still another friend noted that “Dave made you feel safe, and he could make conversation with strangers from all over the world.”
The love and adoration for Dave DeCicco is beyond unanimous. Gentile concludes with, “Everyone remembered him with the same fondness—all saying the same thing: ‘wow, I’m really gonna miss that guy—he was always so nice to me.'”
Rest in peace, Dave DeCicco, knowing you left such an indelible mark of love on the world—a legacy hard to beat and not given to all.
Maria Gentile has been a member of the Duplex team since 1998. She not only works in the Piano Bar, but has been directing shows, teaching cabaret class with Darius Frowner and performing comedy with Susan Campanaro in the Cabaret Theater. She has written and recorded two albums of original music, of which three songs have been nominated for MAC “Song of the Year.” She won that category in 2004 for “Kindness Makes Me Cry.” Gentile also was nominated nine times for MAC Piano Bar Entertainer of the year, winning in 2013.
Ellen, I am so so sorry for the loss of your son Dave sounded like a great guy I haven’t met him since he was a small kid. Nothing is harder in life than losing a child of any age you can lose a parent replace a parent but when you lose a child it is devastating. I will pray for you to get through each day some days are easier than others but Ellen you will make it. 🤗😘❤️😇
4-9-21
Tony,
I just learned a few days ago of the death of Dave Deccico just recently thru neighbor Mrs.Morales.I knew Dave thru knowing the family thru the death of
my younger brother John as you know died in The World Trade Center as you
know who died in September 11 .It ironically was near my alma mater BMCC/
CUNY where I got my Associates in Liberal Arts with the class of August 1987.
I went at night .Also it was paid for with a grant.Whether you know it or not I
recently retired from 42 years of service from the Federal Government U.S.
Department of Labor/Workers’ Compensation as a Claims Clerk.Basically I was
making Xerox copies of folders of federal employees injured at work.The reason I retired was not the number of years I put in but the fact that on
December 9,2019 at 14th Street Union Square subway platform on a rainy day
after work my foot slipped from under me as I was boarding the L train to get
to the G train. This would have taken me to my home station and put me on
the corner to walk to my apartment. But as I slipped and stooped down I was
unable to stand up ! A few people walked over to me and a woman briefly spoke to me.Fortunately a MTA employee wit h a vest on saw me directly across and radioed the FDEMT man.That Asian guy used a metal expanding
chair to pull me backwards up the stairs .And the ambulance was directly near
the subway.I was slipped inside and taken to Bellevue hospital.There I was
taken to the Emergency entrance and my left knee was prayed.I was there from December 9-15.And on crutches while there.A cop asked me why I was
nervous .I answered that I wasn’t able to phone for help.He lent me his cell
phone and I called Mrs.Morales.She and her husband came ASAP.Also Jeffrey
Ellen’s grandson came.He brought me a newspaper and a soft drink.Also Leah
who like myself is a member of the Compassionate Friends that is a Support
Group for people with deceased siblings.That being John my younger brother.
Let me say it has always been a pleasure to begin the company of your family
thru the years and their friends as I live alone and the remaining members of
my family of four are deceased.And e,cause me for not mentioning it earlier
m y condolences of the passing of your brother Dave.He was always pleasant
and had an irreverent wit about him.I meant to suggest if any one you know in
the group of people might be interested they could go online and look up the
Backstreet.It is printed by the Hardiness Institutes.It is a online personal stress
survey that tells how you personally and sientifically deal with stress.I took it
years ago and had it printed out.But when I moved to this apartment in February 2016 it ironically got thrown out with some things I wish were not.
Also you could also look up Evryman.Yes that’s the way they spell it.This came
to my attention in the December 2018 issue of Mens’ Health Magazine that I have on my desk.Dan Doty the founder says men hurt inside.I am not a member but I feel he has point.Every day in the NY Daily News that I grew up
reading and still do as it is put in a plastic bag hung on my door knob I read of
me doing these stupid things for lack of a better word.Also there is a website
that says there is “masculinity crisis”.Men don’t have a clear sense of who they
are.There was an article in the Good Mans’ project online called What makes a
Man a Man.I got the impression they or we don’t know! Aside from that I looked at my spiral calendar that I got from church as I write to fill up the calendar box with what I do daily.On Thursday,March 18 I told Ellen of The
Rife Frequency List by the late Dr.Royal Rife.This list is online.This list will blow
your mind ! I was thinking would this help your son Gabriel ? All those medical
maladies are listed in alphabetical order.And I just remembered your wedding
invitation between you and Alison at Atlantic City in New Jersey.The last time
I was there was decades ago when my mother was alive.That aside I think the
the both of you took a big gamble playing Craps.Her playing the $2 bet and
you the $5 one.Fortunately you both won.Interesting how you b put the money towards your wedding.Thank you for the wedding invitation.It is the
first one I ever got.I put the magnet on the fridge with the envelope under it.
The date is September 19,2021 on Sunday.By the way I did it think that it took
that much postage just to mail that letter.That aside I want to bring to your attention that I forgot my Yahoo password so you won’t be able to reach
me by Yahoo. But by phone.Now getting back to my knee I jury being that It
was a Patella Tendon Rupture of the left knee as a Midtown Ortho doctor tells me.He was an Associate doctor for the jets.The operation which took place In
January 2020 and was a success.There is no pain in the knee but the scar is there.A graft email tissue was out in it.I use a leg compression machine daily.
I amt o ‘s to use it twice daily.I have a hired house helper named Aaron that
payout of my pocket. He sweeps,mops,picks tv shows and movies on the flat
screen,shops,takes out the garbage.sometimes sends out for foods,serves me
,meals,walks with me thru the hallways,comes with me to the doctor,plays
Chess with me on his cellphone if not on this Android devices and even ate out
with me at a restaurant ear home.A few days ago we were at a Basketball court in the neighborhood.I have not takeout shots in years due to my Injury.I
made 40 shots with my right handout of say 80.Aaron. was chasing the ball
as it bounded out.And I even swished one with the left hand.If I didn’t say so
before I retired because my Sick Leave would have run out.As I have been with
Government agency since May of 1978.We each had cubicles with a phone,
computer,cabinets and a locker.The assignments came via email.It could be
from my supervisor or another as well as any claims examiner.I pulled folders
from the file room for them as well as copies of the folder.And there were the
annual case retirement project.I , put the casefiles into boxes that were stacked
in empty cubicles.We also got the keys to the bathroom as well as having ID
cards that were checked every morning as we entered the building the West
Village.It was within walking distance from The Duplex. And we were given debit debit cards to get metro cards from the machines in the subway to get
my monthly unlimited Metro cards or thousands subway.Those keys to the
locker,lockerkeys,and job ID card were mailed back to one of our super visors
as I longer need them now that I am retired.So that is the situation in a nutshell.And my hired hand comes in the after noon then leaves.
Dave was a friend from college, part of our friend group that spent a lot of time together. He was also friends with my future wife and we are both heartbroken at his loss. We feel terrible sadness that we drifted apart over the years but grateful that we did have him come to visit us a few years ago and that he got to meet our children. Dave was such a genuinely good person with a big heart and his own distinct character. Our prayers and love are with his family.
Ellen … your son will be missed by the many whose lives he touched. He was a very fine fellow indeed.
This is David’s mom. It is very heartwarming to see so many nice things said about David. He was a kind gentle person. In his adult lifetime he was referred to by many as a gentle giant. He was the smallest kid in first grade and so big when he was 12 that a local football coach said (when David was too big to be on the kids team) I wish I could sign you up, you could be my whole line. I will miss his smile, his baritone voice, his incessant talking, his unconventional manner of dress and his loving manner.