Dave Emanuel, 87, passed away peacefully at his home under the loving care of his wife (Jessie) and family. Back in the early 1990’s Dave gathered a small but mighty group of people together to start a Habitat affiliate in Nevada County. They recognized and responded to the need for affordable housing, even before the California housing market became what it is today. Dave’s passion for Habitat started when he joined a Jimmy Carter work project to build 20 homes in Los Angeles. It is a heroic act to start and launch an organization as complex as a Habitat affiliate, and it took many long days and nights to build the case with the National Organization that Nevada County deserved to have affiliate status. Dave served as the unpaid Executive Director for 10 years and the organization’s first office was started in his hall closet. Dave played a transformative lead role in securing building sites, organizing volunteers, and raising funds. 28 years later, this Habitat is going strong!
Dave and Jesse Emanuel are longtime residents of Grass Valley, and are well traveled. Both Emanuels have a lifetime of community service, and all of us at Habitat are privileged and grateful to be able to follow their footsteps of service. This community, and the world are left a much a better place because Dave was here.
We know that Dave leaves a lasting and important legacy in our hands, and we will honor him long into the future by carrying this mission forward. Every current and future Habitat homeowner here will forever be a testament to the big impact Dave had on so many people’s lives.
Dave was a humble man, and was never comfortable with awards, accolades, or grand gestures, although he received many over the course of his years with Habitat. He deserved all of them and more. We are pleased to celebrate Dave by naming a street named after him in our next development. This is a small way to recognize his selflessness, but it will forever be a reminder of the difference he made.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nevada County Habitat.
