David Matthew Filipiak

We deeply miss our loving, caring, sweet, smart and handsome son and brother, David. David captivated everyone’s attention and lit up the room with his beautiful smile. We lost David after a valiant two year battle with cancer. We called him our Warrior because he never gave up, fighting until the very end.

David was born in Smithtown, New York, but grew up in Southern California. From a very young age, David had a true passion and love for the game of baseball. From his memorable days playing in Laguna Hills Little League, to pitching for the Hawks at Laguna Hills High School, to being recruited by over 35 different Division I universities across the country, baseball was a central part of his life. David competed against some of the top prospects in the country in national showcases, including Team One and Perfect Game events. In addition to his love for playing baseball, David enjoyed golf, roller hockey, football, basketball, bowling, ping pong, kayaking and fishing off his dock. He also enjoyed attending Anaheim Angels baseball and Ducks hockey games.

David attended the University of California, Santa Barbara on a full-ride baseball scholarship, and later transferred to the University of California, San Diego, where he studied economics and finance.

Following college, David moved to Los Angeles and became a successful international model. He worked for several of the world’s top agencies, and appeared in ad campaigns for many major companies and fashion brands. His face was everywhere: magazine covers, billboards, book covers, music videos and television commercials. David loved the modeling profession because it gave him access to experiences few people could ever dream of and allowed him to travel and live all over the world, including countries like Germany, Spain, Italy, Colombia, and France, just to name a few.

A self-proclaimed “professional walker,” David loved exploring new cities on foot. Whether it was his daily hikes up to the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, walking the beaches of South Beach in Miami, strolling through the streets of Hamburg, Germany, or trekking across the yellow bridges of Pittsburgh, David always got his steps in.

After modeling, David became a recruiter for several financial personnel agencies including Robert Half. He especially enjoyed the “people” aspect of this position because it allowed him to meet and interact with so many diverse personalities while helping others with their careers.

After living for many years in Southern California, David spent nearly a decade in Las Vegas. He loved the excitement of the casinos and nightlife, but also enjoyed hiking local mountains, exploring Red Rock Canyon, and kayaking on Lake Mead.

In 2021, to stay close to his family, David traded his life in the desert for one on the water in Oriental, North Carolina. It was there that he truly immersed himself in nature and the great outdoors. David launched his kayak almost daily and made his way up the creek for miles at a time. At dawn, he would reach his favorite spot, where Gideon Creek met Broad Creek, and just sit in his kayak watching the colorful sunrise. David was also a craftsman who enjoyed woodworking and creative artwork. He was adventurous and fearless, with a deep love of nature. He dreamed of one day living in the mountains of Colorado, surrounded by peace and tranquility.

David’s desire to help people led him to pursue his master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Unfortunately, soon after beginning his studies, he was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. But that didn’t stop him. In fact, it inspired him. David hoped to counsel others battling cancer, in addition to his future marriage and family therapy clients. Despite numerous medical treatments, hospital stays, and debilitating physical setbacks, he excelled in all of his courses, earning straight A’s. Tragically, he was only one semester short of completing his degree and beginning his apprenticeship when his life was cut short.

David was incredibly intelligent, witty, analytical, generous and compassionate. Above all, he was determined. He faced every challenge with remarkable confidence and courage.

David is cherished and survived by his mother, Deborah; his father, Joseph; and his brother, Michael. He also leaves behind his beautiful golden retriever and loyal companion, Sasha, whom he loved dearly. She misses him so much and still waits for him to come home each night. David is deeply loved and missed by his close friends, as well as his aunts, uncles and cousins.

We will be having a Celebration of Life for our beautiful son and brother David on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 2 PM at: The Harrison Center, 311 Middle Street, New Bern, NC 28650.

Food and beverages will be served. Please wear something “blue” as this was David’s favorite color. Parking is available nearby in the parking lot of Christ Church (Episcopal Church) and the adjacent City Hall parking lot. Both parking lot entrances are located on Craven Street.

We greatly appreciate that any donations be made in honor of David Filipiak and payable to: McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge, 930 A Wellness Dr., Greenville, NC 27834. Please note in the memo field: Hope Lodge Greenville, NC in Honor of David Filipiak. 

Alternatively, donations can be made directly on The Hope Lodge website which is: https://raiseyourway.donordrive.com/pages/1228. 

The Hope Lodge provides beautiful housing, meals and comfort at no charge to cancer patients and their families during their treatments. David loved this place and its caring people.

You can also learn more about David’s life as well as additional details of David’s upcoming Celebration of Life by going to DavidFilipiak.com.