On Friday evening, September 12, 2014, Dr. David C. Petreccia MD ultimately succumbed to cancer. He was an immensely and unconditionally supportive physician who was devoted to good medical care under any circumstance, a fiercely devoted husband, father and step father; a selfless and uplifting human being who always gave his best in all he did and had a beautiful and infectious energy that put people around him at peace. He was a one of a kind, outrageously optimistic man and a dream launcher. he was recognized for his unrelenting persistence, unique and unshakable confidence, and profound teaching ability and humanitarianism. as an infectious disease and AIDS specialist, he saved the lives of many who would have otherwise been lost. he helped to develop, perfect and implement valuable medical policies on many levels. his deeply held beliefs in community service contributed to his wide variety of services on administrative and medical staffs. he diplomatically helped to mediate and significantly improve many contracts, organizational agreements and systems between medical staffs and hospitals throughout north orange county. He was a long time physician champion at St Jude Medical Center and Placentia Linda Hospital. He created and chaired fund raisers for local HIV nonprofit foundations centers which had a significant and lasting impact.

He graduated from providence college magna cum laude in 1977. He then graduated from st Louis university medical school in 1981 and specialized with extensive training in infectious disease from the university of Iowa in 1986. He was continuously featured in the Guide to America's top physicians for the better part of a decade. He also completed his Masters of Medical Management (MMM) from carnegie mellon university while having been diagnosed with brain cancer.

He was an avid traveler and culturalist. he was devoted to creating, enjoying, and celebrating great music, especially through song and dance. he was a staunch enthusiast of singing opera and classical Italian music, and had a uniquely beautiful voice. he was a connoisseur of fine wine, fine cars, fine dining and a uniquely fine woman. he lived life according to what was important to him. he remained light hearted and excitedly carefree through all of life's ups and downs. he was committed to leaving things better than he found them, to constant personal and spiritual growth, to increasing his own wisdom and that of others, and improving the condition of all who surrounded him. his spiritual devotion was channelled through his meditation practice and his involvement with institutions like st. jude hospital, St. Louis university, providence college and Landmark Education.
David lived a wholesome and fulfilling life, was uplifting and funny with a huge comedic talent and a true Italian. he danced through life with few regrets. All who knew him will deeply miss his enthusiasm for overcoming any obstacle. He was truly a modern day renaissance man.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, 9/18 and Friday 9/19 from 4pm to 7pm, held at The Chapman Funeral Homes, 1342 East Chapman Avenue, Orange. Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 11am at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church located at 19767 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886. Internment to follow at Loma Vista Cemetary. A reception to follow at Placentia-Linda Hospital, Meeting Rooms #1 & #2, 1301 N. Rose Drive, Placentia, CA 92870. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Brain Tumor Association at www.abta.org. Email condolences to www.chapmanfuneraldirectors.com.

Gifts in David's memory can go to support the STAR neuro-rehab program at St Jude Medical Center that gave David back his dignity and smile after his surgeries. Donations can be made online, via phone and by check.

ONLINE GIFTS can be made to:

www.stjudemedicalcenter.org. Click on the donate button and direct your gift in the memory of David Petreccia. All gifts will be given to cancer services and designated for the STAR program.

CHECK GIFTS can be made payable to St. Jude Memorial Foundation with notation in memory of David Petreccia for the STAR program. Mail checks to 1440 N. Harbor Blvd. Suite 200, Fullerton, CA 92835

TO MAKE A GIFT BY PHONE VIA CREDIT CARD, call St Jude at 714-992-3033.