October 20, 1959 – February 22, 2014
David Brian O'Connor passed from this life on February 22, 2014 in Oakland, California. He leaves sister Aimee Connor Ahart (of Ashburn, Virginia), brothers John (York, Pennsylvania), and Stephen (Crownsville, Maryland). He also leaves niece Kelsey, nephews John Andrew O'Connor IV, Riley, Casey, and Connor, as well as devoted friends.
David was born in Baltimore on October 20, 1959, the third child of John Andres O'Connor Jr. and Joyce Hyde Fallon O'Connor. After obtaining his B.A. in urban planning from Towson College, David's life journey took him to UC Berkeley where he traded in an M.A. program in city planning for a bachelor's degree in drama – never informing his parents. Graduating with a degree in dramatic arts, he devoted the next two years toward his Master of Fine Arts in acting at UC Irvine and Cal Arts. He returned to Berkeley in 1985.
His journey took a left turn when he was diagnosed with HIV in 1985. He decided to leave theater and acting. He left Berkeley for the University of Illinois in 1989, and completed a Master of Library Science degree. He returned west, taking up residence in Oakland, and working as a librarian at Deloitte and Touche in San Francisco, and at Golden Gate University's law library.
Through the 29 years David lived with HIV and AIDS, he traveled regularly – often to the remotest corners of the globe. Even when he battled sciatica and chronic fatigue, and trucked a suitcase of pills with him, he spent a summer in Venice, traveled to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and visited Egypt, Cuba, South America, and Eastern Europe.
David's wit and imagination were unstoppable. He was in close touch with his "inner diva," and helped friends to let their own inner divas emerge. David's friends learned life's joys with him – why it was important to dance, sing, eat, travel, read, garden, laugh and cry, and be with friends. He was like no one else.
Two memorials will be held for David, in Baltimore and Oakland. David's ashes will be shared among Baltimore, Big Sur, and Venice. Prayers and Catholic Masses offered in David's name are most welcome. The family requests that bequests in David's name be made to the AIDS Emergency Fund and/or Project Open Hand.
We have been privileged to know you, "La Davida Suprema." You'll never be gone from our hearts, minds, and imaginations.