David J. de Silva

David J. de Silva, 63, of Syracuse, passed away on January 1, 2022. Born on April 27, 1958 to the late Raymond J., Jr. and Veronica J. (Savage) de Silva, David lived his entire life in the Central New York area. From a young age, David was very active in Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1974. As his Eagle project, David co-founded and led a Boy Scout Troop for boys with developmental disabilities. He spent many summers at Hiawatha Council Camp Sabattis, including spending one summer on staff, and also many years as a scout leader. He graduated from West Genesee High School in 1976 and Le Moyne College in 1980, where he received a degree in accounting. Upon graduation, David began working at Dermody, Burke and Brown, CPAs and was mentored by founding partner Robert Dermody, Sr. He developed a specialty in not-for-profit accounting, becoming a partner in 1991.

Early in his career, with the assistance of others, he developed and managed the Firm’s not-for-profit niche, which served over 100 organizations in Central New York, until his retirement in 2021. David provided services to a variety of not-for-profit organizations, including fine arts, foundations, human service providers, healthcare organizations and facilities, and assisted living facilities. David was a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He received the AICPA certificate of achievement in governmental and nonprofit accounting and auditing.

He was also a member of the Not-for-Profit section of the AICPA and served as the Firm’s designated audit quality partner of the AICPA’s Governmental Audit Quality Center. David had also been active as a member of the Allinial Global Not-for-Profit Committee. David was appointed by the New York State Board of Regents to serve two five-year terms on the New York State Board for Public Accountancy. He served two years as vice-chairman and two years as chairman of the Board. The New York State Board for Public Accountancy advises the New York State Board of Regents and Education Department on licensing requirements, licensing examinations, and practice issues. Until his retirement, he continued to serve on the Extended Board of the New York State Board for Public Accountancy which assists the Board with the licensure disciplinary and/or restoration and moral character proceedings.

Additionally, he served on the State Board Committee of the AICPA Board of Examiners and was appointed chairman of the State Board Committee. The State Board Committee serves as a communications liaison between NASBA and the AICPA. The Board of Examiners is a senior committee of the AICPA responsible for the oversight, administration and development of the CPA Exam. David served a number of years on the Uniform Accountancy Act (UAA) Committee of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA). The UAA is an “evergreen” model licensing law developed to provide a uniform approach to regulation of the accounting profession.

The UAA Committee oversees the UAA and related Model Rules and recommend amendments to the Board of Directors of NASBA and the AICPA. David also served a number of years on NASBA’s Education Committee.
Considered an expert in his field, David was often called upon to consult on domestic not-for-profit issues. David was an active member of The Century Club of Syracuse and served as a Trustee and Treasurer for six years. He also served on the House Committee for several years. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Syracuse and a Trustee, Treasurer and Past-President of its related Foundation. David was Treasurer of Laubach Literacy International and a founding board member and Treasurer of ProLiteracy Worldwide that has over 1000-member programs in the U.S. and 25 countries around the world.

He is a past Trustee of Crouse Hospital Health Foundation, past board member and Finance Committee chairman of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and past board member of Girls Inc. (formerly Girls Club of Syracuse).
An avid golfer, David was a past member of Drumlins East and Cavalry Club. He was currently a member of Onondaga Golf and Country Club and enjoyed many rounds of golf with his “golf buddies”. David was also a long-time member of the Syracuse Golf Bandits and served as its Treasurer for nine years.

David is survived by his wife, Lisa (DiCaprio) and his many family members, friends and colleagues.

There will be no services.

Please, no flowers. In lieu of flowers, please donate in David’s memory to Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, 1654 West Onondaga Street, Syracuse, New York 13204.