David John Hochberg Sr.

David John Hochberg Sr. was, to the people fortunate enough to know him, a once-in-a-lifetime kind of man. He was kind, fiercely loyal, endlessly curious, and possessed an immense passion for learning, growth, and becoming better, not only for himself, but for the people around him. He inspired others to do better every day simply by the way he lived his own life.

David was born on October 29, 1958, at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Loraine Lee Lassel (McCord) and Francis James Hochberg. He grew up in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, and became an Eagle Scout after years of service in the Scouts, including a fulfilling trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, in 1973 where his grit and perseverance were tested as he hiked more than 50 miles through the rugged terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This trip ignited a passion for the Western United States landscape in him and ultimately led to his moving to Tucson, Arizona in his later life, where he spent several years.

In 1976, his family returned to their roots in Sullivan County,

Pennsylvania, settling at the Hochberg family homestead. He subsequently graduated from Sullivan County Senior High School in 1976.

Following graduation, David attended Widener University, where he completed a two-year biology pre-med program. It was there that his lifelong passion for learning and studying first took root. He was also a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and remained connected with some of his fraternity brothers throughout the decades that followed.

In 1986, David joined Steamfitters Local 420, beginning a career that would span 37 years until his official retirement in 2023. He earned the respect of those who worked alongside him, not only for his skill and dedication to his trade, but for the knowledge he freely shared with those coming up behind him. He took particular pride in mentoring apprentices and helping others learn their craft. For David, knowing something was never enough; he believed in understanding it, mastering it, and then passing that knowledge along.

After retiring from the Steamfitters, David began yet another chapter in a life defined by learning. True to his nature, retirement did not mean slowing down. He became an Enrolled Agent and built a second career helping individuals and businesses navigate their taxes. He had a gift for taking complicated problems and figuring out how to make them manageable. He continued helping people with their taxes until shortly before his passing.

One of the greatest accomplishments of David’s life, however, could not be measured by a career or a credential.

On August 13, 2026, David surpassed 27 years of sobriety. His sobriety was a source of immense pride, but even more than that, it became a foundation upon which he built the life he wanted to live. Throughout those 27 years, David not only maintained his own sobriety, but helped countless others find and maintain theirs. He sponsored many people on their journeys and offered the same thing he offered in so many other areas of his life: knowledge, honesty, encouragement, accountability, and the belief that a person could always strive to become more than they were yesterday.

His sobriety gave him the opportunity to become the man he was always capable of becoming. It allowed him to pour himself into his work, his friendships, his family, and his relationships with the people who depended upon him. It allowed him to become a hard worker, a trusted brother, a loyal friend, a mentor to many, and most importantly, the father he wanted to be.

David had a remarkable ability to make people feel that they could do better, that they could learn something new, overcome something difficult, or simply become a little more than they were the day before. He mentored people in his work, in recovery, in friendship, and in life. His influence was not limited to the roles he held or the accomplishments attached to his name. His greatest legacy lives in the people he taught, encouraged, challenged, supported, and loved.

David is survived by his eldest daughter, Nicole Weidow, and her husband, John Weidow; his son, David John Hochberg Jr., and his wife, Delailah Hochberg; and his youngest daughter, Leanne McCarty, and her husband, Logan McCarty. He is also survived by his eight beloved grandchildren: Mariah Weidow, Nicolas Weidow, Justin Weidow, Fidel Inglis, David John Hochberg III, Hollis Neill, Rafe McCarty, and another soon-to-be-born granddaughter.

He is also survived by his beloved sisters, Donna Adaire Curry and her husband, Danny Curry; Joyce Alice Farley; and Kimberly Lynne Hochberg.

David left his earthly body peacefully on September 26, 2026, surrounded by his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. He leaves behind a family and a community forever changed by having known him.

We are certain that he was welcomed into heaven by his loved ones who went before him, and by the four-legged companions he missed dearly: Scotty, Oscar, Rommel, and Elvis.

David often said, “Memories visit us in ways that make us smile.” And perhaps that is one of the greatest gifts he leaves behind. In the years to come, memories of David will arrive unexpectedly, in a lesson remembered, a problem solved the way he taught us, a story retold, a piece of advice that suddenly makes sense, or a familiar smile when we remember something only he would have done.

His life was long enough to leave an extraordinary mark, and his love was deep enough to remain long after he left us.

His final lesson is the one he spent his life teaching: keep learning, keep growing, keep helping one another, and always strive to become the best version of yourself.

May we honor him by doing exactly that.