(David passed away on September 17, 2021 after several years of failing health).
David was a resident of Stockton since birth on April 16, 1941. He attended Woodrow Wilson and Harrison Elementary Schools; Stockton Junior High; and Amos Alonzo Stagg Senior High School graduating in 1958. He then attended Stockton College from 1958-60 and Sacramento State from 1960-63 obtaining his Teaching Credential. From 1963 through 1970 he completed graduate courses at Sacramento State and earned his Master’s Degree.
He retired as a teacher/coach after 36 years at his high school alma mater, Stagg High School. A consummate teacher, David served on the Stagg High School staff teaching physical education and coaching baseball, swimming and wrestling.
David was Stockton’s most decorated Bocce player having represented the United States in the World Championships and U.S. National Championships. He also represented the United States in the Pan-American Games and the North American Championships.
Over his career David won nine gold medals in the U.S. National Championships. Under tremendous pressure in the final two frames he gave his Stockton team the 2016 National Championships. In the 2012 U.S. Nationals, David won all three of his singles matches.
In the 2002 Nationals he scored the winning point on the final throw of the semi-finals match to keep his team alive. They would go on to win the ultimate prize, the Gold Medal in the finals.
David’s most memorable international moment came at the opening ceremonies later in 2002 at the World Championships in Brazil when he paraded into the arena wearing a red-white-and-blue jersey with the U.S.A. across the back “When we marched into the bocce facility I saw the American flag and knew why I was there – it was so difficult to stay composed – to represent my country at the highest level of international competition,” Canclini said. “I was so proud and humbled.”
Following his retirement from public education he used his coaching expertise to mentor the United States Under 21 bocce singles champion at the World Championships in Rome, Italy. His student excelled and placed the highest ever in history among U.S. Under 21 singles competitors.
As a leader in the U.S. Bocce Federation, Canclini has served on its National Board of Directors and as President of the Western Sector, as well as co-director of three national championship tournaments.
Locally he continued to volunteer at Special Olympics, Very Inspirational People, The Stockton Children’s Museum, Olive Oil Festival and Italian Festival events to promote and teach new players about the sport of Bocce.
(Nominated by Peter J. Ottesen/Jim Moscatelli – 7/4/2020)
