David S. Black

On October 11th, 2025, David S. Black (Dave), renowned tattoo artist went on to “meet the horizon.”

Dave was born on June 20th, 1947, in Huntington, Long Island to Margaret Jean and Archibald Black both who came to the USA settling in Northport, Long Island from the United Kingdom, England and Scotland respectively after serving in WW II.

Dave was their first born and only son. Dave was proud of both his European heritage and Long Island hometown, Northport. Dave traveled back to the UK to see beloved family in his early childhood and throughout the years.

Dave attended and graduated from Northport High School in1965.

After high school Dave joined the United States Navy and served working in V1 Division ABH3 USS Forrestal VVA 59 until 1967. In 1965 at 17 years old during his boot camp training in Illinois, Dave got his Navy tattoo. This was his sixth tattoo as he came to the navy already engraved. The love for tattoo art would continue for the rest of his life as he became a remarkable tattoo artist, self-taught as well as taking classes for a better understanding of science, anatomy, and history. Dave embraced his craft with talent and passion. Dave took pride in rendering quality work and when many artists in the trade only used stencils Dave was providing unique ink with his free hand, fine art, clients could bring him a picture of any size, and he would transpose and create an image to be displayed beautifully on the seekers’ skin. Dave cared for his tattoo environment meticulously and methodically, always ensuring the up most safety and respect and if you were under eighteen years of age, no tattoo would reside from Dave.

Dave was a legend with his craft, and his journey would bring the world a whole new level of tattooing. Dave mentored and taught many talented tattoo artists over the years to take their skills to the next level; he was admired by many in the trade. Dave was recognized in many publications for his talent, including being featured in Tattoo Magazine. Dave would continue his tattooing profession for his entire life. Dave also worked in his early days in truck driving and hauling steel in Pennsylvania and Upstate NY while honing in on his true livelihood.

Dave had a sharp mind, loved learning, his memory was photographic, his two sisters can recall school days where a book assignment was read in hours, and his recall of the entire print was just about verbatim. Dave maintained a broad knowledge base throughout the years, and chances are if one were seeking a fact or statistic Dave could provide it with ease and then some.

Dave enjoyed culture, diversity, authentic cuisine, and of course traveling. He much enjoyed aircrafts and was well versed in their machinery. Dave has been to many places and in particular loved Mexico and the Dominican Republic thriving in the vibrancy of the food and culture. Dave could speak both Spanish and Italian fluently and served as an educator, teaching English as a second language.

Dave was extremely gifted not only with his tattoo skills; he had a profound ability to paint phenomenal images and scenery. Dave also valued the art of language, his vocabulary knowledge was vast, and he enjoyed being articulated by engaging in meaningful conversation to learn and evolve from one another.

Dave is survived by his three daughters, Michelle, Heidi and Sandy, six grandchildren Joey, Caitlyn, Jacqueline, Shelby, Madison and Hunter, one great grandchild, Aelyn, two nieces, Kristie and Alyson, and one nephew, Bradley also several great nieces and nephews. He is survived by his two sisters Barbara Broome of Ga and Diane Black of NJ.

Daves’ creative presence and spirit will live on in those who trained with him as well as in the souls of those who knew and loved him. Daves final resting place will be in Northport, Long Island alongside his parents.

In memory of Dave please consider a donation to the CABVI (Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired) children's art program, Just for Fun, which provides art therapy for blind and visually impaired children. Donations can be made at cabvi.org

A celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, October 25h, 2025, at Saalty Dawg, 1527 Cedarville Road, Frankfort, NY 13340 from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. All are welcome to attend for enjoyment in sharing stories and memories to honor David’s life.

Arrangements are in care of The Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road in Ilion, New York 13357. Dave's obituary may be viewed on the funeral home website at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet. 

Enea, Ciaccia, & Applegate Funeral Directors (315) 894-8000.