Fundraiser supports fallen worker’s family

Date: 8/6/2015

LUDLOW – A GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $43,000 in support of the wife and two young children of Davide Nascimento, a construction worker who was killed in an accident in Longmeadow on July 31.

The GoFundMe is dedicated to funding funeral services for Davide as well as supporting the Nascimento family, Chanelle Sanches, a friend of family and the GoFund Me page’s organizer, said.

“Every dollar counts,” she stated on the GoFundMe page. “From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your kind words and support. God Bless the Nascimentos during this time of sorrow.”

Sanches told Reminder Publications Davide was the “perfect” man, who was passionate about his family, friends, and his work.

Sanches, who works at a daycare that Davide’s children, Cristiano and Savanna, attend, described Davide as having a “glowing personality,” who would take the time to listen to anyone.

She noted that he also coached soccer for the team of his son Cristiano, who turns six at the end of the month, and also operated his own landscaping business outside of his normal construction work hours.

Davide became trapped in a trench that flooded with water during a construction project on Hazardville Road in Longmeadow around 7:45 a.m. on July 31, Town Manager Stephen Crane said.

“The project that was being done was a sewer line replacement that was being done under contract [by A. Martins & Sons Construction in Ludlow] with the town of Longmeadow,” he added.

Davide’s body was not recovered until around noon, despite a large rescue effort by emergency responders from other communities such as Agawam, East Longmeadow, West Springfield, Springfield, and the North Thompsonville Fire Department of Enfield, CT, and the Western Massachusetts Regional Technical Rescue Team.

Crane said Davide’s death has been felt within the Longmeadow community.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the gentleman’s family,” Crane said.

Sanches, whose husband has been friends with Davide since they were children, said she knew about the construction accident before Davide’s wife Stephanie and immediately notified parents at the daycare to pick up their children because she needed to be there to support Stephanie and the family.

Around the time Sanches heard the news of the accident, there were mostly rumors about Davide’s condition, she said.

It wasn’t until later in the day that Stephanie received the tragic news from the Longmeadow Police Department (LPD).   

The LPD posted a status update on its Facebook page on Aug. 2, extending its condolences to the family of friends of Davide.

Crane said the LPD is investigating the accident and the details of what happened would be released when the investigation is complete.

“Workplace safety is a priority for the town on our own jobs and we have safety provisions built into our contract and this accident really reinforces why it’s important to focus on safety in the workplace,” he added.

Crane said town employees would be contributing funds to the GoFundMe as well.

For more information or to donate to the GoFundMe page visit www.gofundme.com/4v8gqx24c.