David Clute

David Eugene Clute, 95, of Copake NY died Sunday May 31 2026, at Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, MA.

Born January 26 1931 in Rochester New York to Wilton Clute and Marion Morse Ralli, he grew up in Rochester and in New York City. David travelled broadly, living for a time in Spain, Ireland, and Los Angeles, but always proudly considered himself a New Yorker.

David was wonderfully kind and funny no matter his circumstances, and made friends wherever he went. He had no children, but was the favorite uncle of many nieces and nephews. He was a writer, poet, sometime actor, and an expert chess player. He enjoyed following baseball and rooted for the Yankees. He loved jazz from the first time he heard the music as a child, and held an encyclopedic knowledge of musicians and ability to pick out performers on just about any track.

David is predeceased by his brothers Peter Clute and Philip Clute, sister Patricia Feller (nee Clute), partner Michael Oulton, Wendy Letha Oulton, and many friends. He is survived by 11 nieces and nephews and numerous greats and great greats.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)