Wyatt Wade

Worcester: Wyatt Wade was born on June 28th, 1946 in New Orleans, LA, and died in Worcester, MA on February 23rd, 2024. He died of lung cancer at his home of 44 years, surrounded by his loving family. He was extremely grateful for the life he lived.   He liked to have fun and make people laugh.

      He enjoyed growing up in Houston, TX, (Lamar High School 1964, University of Texas Austin B.A. history, 1969). Then he taught humanities in high school in Mexico, ME for five years. Afterwards he became a furniture designer and craftsman in Cambridge, MA.  Later he returned to teaching at Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School, in Lexington, MA.

      In 1977 he met Erika Davis at a May Day Party on Beacon Hill in Boston.  Their first date was to a Little Feat Concert. They knew right away they had found their love and match for life. In 1979 they married and moved to Worcester where they raised their two children and enjoyed a most fulfilling life. Beyond everything Wyatt was most proud of his children, Alison and Julian and grandson, Jet.   

     He worked for Davis Publications, Erika’s family’s 123-year-old independent, multimedia art and design educational publishing company. He began there as an editor in 1977 and was president from 1994 until he retired in 2016. He was also CEO of the Printers Building in Worcester from 2000 -2016.   

     Wyatt loved New England, particularly living in Worcester. He also played at an old farm in Brownfield, Maine, and a little beach house in Chatham, MA. He was a member of the American Antiquarian Society, former member of the Worcester Club, and a Greater Worcester Community Foundation Corporator. He served on the board of the Worcester Art Museum, Worcester Historical Museum, Massachusetts Arts/Learning, Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Worcester Foundation for the Blind, and Association of American Publishers Education Division.

     He always tried to do too much, and made mistakes for sure, but none with malice towards others. He traveled for fun with family and for business in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. He loved art, design, music, architecture, trees, Volvos, hats, his ’70 Chevy pickup, John Deere tractor, and preserving old useful things. He loved all his dogs and cats. His favorite sayings were: “Every day is a miracle!” “Have fun, but be careful” and “Onward through the fog…”

    He leaves his wife, Erika Davis Wade of Worcester; daughter, Alison Davis Wade and her fiancé Matt Pullman of Brooklyn, NY; son, Julian Davis Wade, his wife Julia Ann Wade, and their son, Jet Davis Wade of Worcester; brother, James David Wade and his wife Nancy Pobanz of Eugene OR; sister, Susan Ruth Wade, of Dothan, AL,  brother-in-law Jeff Davis and his husband Mike Ziskind, and friends Jet Thomas and Dominic and Claire M. Golding.  He was predeceased by his father, Simeon Monroe Wade; his mother, Ruth Lorraine Wade; his brother, Simeon M. Wade, father-in-law, Gilbert S. Davis and mother-in-law, Jean B. Davis.

     He requested any contributions in his honor be donated to the United Way of Worcester, Worcester Animal Rescue League, or The Nature Conservancy.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 7th from 3:00-6:00 PM in Callahan, Fay & Caswell Life Celebration Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester.  Burial in Hope Cemetery, Worcester  will be private at the convenience of the family.  A celebration of Wyatt's life will be held in this summer at Mechanics Hall, Worcester.