David John Dittner, age 63, of Island Pond, VT, passed away peacefully with family at his side on February 4th, after a twelve-year battle with stage 4 prostate cancer. He was born on May 3, 1961, to Herbert and Beryle Dittner. Originally residing in the coastal town of Niantic, CT, he was a 1979 graduate of East Lyme High School and a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Niantic. He operated a lawncare/landscaping business and D&D Apartment Rentals with his brother, Danny Dittner, for 20 years.

His passion for snowmobiling brought him to the Northeast Kingdom (NEK), where he and Danny bought the former Clyde River Hotel and Restaurant in Island Pond, VT, operating from 2001-2012. David loved socializing with his guests and often went snowmobiling with them throughout the NEK.

David enjoyed helping people in the communities where he lived. He helped with the Holiday Light Parade in Niantic, including dressing as the Grinch and walking with the parade. He delivered Meals on Wheels in Brighton, VT, and became a volunteer driver for Rural Community Transportation (RCT) from 2013-2024, until he became too ill.

David's mother also moved to VT to be with her sons after the passing of her husband, David's father. David played an integral role in caregiving for his mother. Family was a priority for him, and he did so much with his mother, brother, and long-time friend, Debbie Stough, of Island Pond.

Although loving the peacefulness the mountains provided, David couldn't give up his love for the ocean. Boating became a great source of family enjoyment, with excursions on his and Danny's boat on Long Island Sound and along the East Coast from New Jersey to Cape Cod.

Being an outdoorsman, he took pride in his gardens. He also enjoyed camping and always looked forward to the time spent with his sister, Sandra Summers, of East Lyme, CT, and her family. His great-nieces and nephews filled his heart with love and gave him so much joy. They brought out the "kid" spirit in David.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to oncologist Dr. Leslie Lockridge, of Newport, VT, for his dedication to innovative cancer treatments, his attention to David's care, and his determination to fight David's cancer up until the very end.

The family would also like to extend their appreciation to Outpatient Services at North Country Hospital, Dr. Adis and his team at Burlington Hospital, the Visiting Nurses of Orleans County, and a very personal thank you for the beautiful and respectful end-of-life care provided by the Jack Burns Palliative Lodge at Dartmouth.

David is survived by his mother, Beryle Dittner, brother, Danny Dittner, and his wife Sarah, all of Island Pond, VT, sister, Sandra Summers, and her husband Daniel, of East Lyme, CT, girlfriend, Debbie Stough, of Island Pond, VT, niece, Kristin Berghoff (William), and nephew, Frank Summers (Kaitlin), all of East Lyme, CT, niece, Christine Noll, of Bath, ME, and nephew, Thomas Noll, of Island Pond, VT, and great nieces and nephews, William, Nathan, Lucas, and Emma Berghoff and Mason and Addison Summers, all of East Lyme, CT. He had many cousins and was especially close with Eric Dittner of TN and Karl Dittner (predeceased) of East Lyme, CT. He was predeceased by his father, Herbert Dittner. David drew his courage from his father who gallantly fought his own cancer battle.

Donations can be made in David's honor to The Patient Caring Fund, P.O. Box 838, Newport, VT, 05855. Online condolences at curtis-britch.com. A memorial service will be held on May 3rd at 11am at Christ Lutheran Church in Niantic, CT. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.