Birth date: Oct 9, 1975 Death date: Feb 25, 2026
David Alexander Neilsen, 50, of Wahiawa, Hawaiʻi passed away on February 25, 2026. He was born on October 09, 1975 in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. He is survived by his wife, Daynell Neilsen; sons, Dayton Gorospe-Neilsen and Tayvis Neilsen Read Obituary
Fun times at the pool, Marrriot Waikīkī
I remember a moment with David that felt unbearably heavy, the kind of silence that settles when words don’t seem strong enough for what’s coming. When we spoke about his diagnosis and what lay ahead, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I told him how deeply sorry I was—that his life felt too short, that it wasn’t fair, that my heart ached for him and for everyone who loved him.
But David didn’t meet that moment with despair. Instead, he met it with a quiet, steady grace that I will never forget.
He told me that, somehow, so much good had come from his illness. He spoke about his colleagues, who had come together to gift him time—precious days he could use to travel, to rest, to simply be. He talked about the unexpected gift of presence: long conversations with loved ones that went deeper than they ever had before, moments filled with honesty, laughter, and meaning. He shared how he had been able to check off things on his bucket list, experiences he might have otherwise postponed or missed entirely.
And in that moment—when I had come to comfort him—it was David who comforted me.
There was a calmness in him, a kind of peace that felt almost beyond understanding. He wasn’t defined by fear or anger, but by gratitude and acceptance. Even as he faced the unimaginable, he carried himself with courage and clarity, gently reminding me that even in the hardest chapters, there can be light.
David showed me that a life isn’t measured only in years, but in depth, in connection, and in the love we give and receive. His strength, his perspective, and his peace in the face of it all is something I will carry with me always.
LR
So many memories flood my mind but I’ll share our best last memories that we shared together. David, Daynell, Jocelyn, Sean and I flew to Japan and it was an awesome trip. We flew into Haneda and visited the neighboring towns for shopping. We ate, we shopped, we had a great time just spending time together. David was so patient with us even though I know he was in pain. He gave me my most treasured vacation with him. Something I will never forget. I love you son and thank God for giving me you even though it was a shorter time than we all wanted. Fly with angels my love.
David became my "brother in-law" the day I married his best friend "brother from another mother" Brandon. Thank you for being the brother he always wanted and needed.
A memory that I remembered was when we went to his house and sang karaoke with my drunk Dad singing off-key and having a laugh. I watched those two men like they were friends at ten years old it was a heartwarming memory I'll never forget ❤️ Fly high Uncle David 🕊️
Our condolences to the family as we will miss him too
