David Lupo, age 12, passed away peacefully on July 31, 2026, at home, surrounded by the love of his family after a courageous fifteen-month journey with Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), an aggressive pediatric brain tumor.
David was born on December 5, 2013, to Courtney and Terrence Lupo. From the very beginning, he approached life with curiosity, determination, and a heart that was always bigger than himself. He had a way of making people smile, asking thoughtful questions, and finding joy in the smallest moments.
If you knew David, you knew about his love for leafcutter ants. He could spend hours sharing facts and teaching anyone willing to listen. He also loved Pokémon, especially Rayquaza and Bulbasaur, building with Legos, playing video games, soccer, laser tag, and spending time with the people he loved. Hibachi dinners and The Melting Pot were among his favorite places to celebrate life’s special moments, and purple was always his favorite color.
In April 2025, at just 11 years old, David was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma. Throughout the next fifteen months, he faced countless surgeries, treatments, clinical trials, radiation, and hospital stays with a courage that inspired everyone around him. While cancer changed what his body could do, it never changed who he was. His kindness, his sense of humor, and his love for others remained until the very end.
One of the things that made David so special was his desire to help others. He chose to donate portions of his tumor to research so that one day another child and another family might have a better chance. Even in the middle of his own fight, he wanted to make a difference for someone else.
David experienced adventures that many dream about. Through Make-A-Wish, he visited Disney and Universal. He went on a 7-day cruise with his family traveling to the Bahamas. He also traveled to Texas A&M and got to meet the Aggies football team and spend a day with them, where he was welcomed like family. He explored New York City, spent the night in a museum and got to see a one-of-a-kind leafcutter ant exhibit and created memories that his family will cherish forever. More than the destinations themselves, it was the time spent together that meant the most.
David is survived by his loving parents, Courtney and Terrence Lupo; his sister, Rose; his grandparents; aunts; uncles; cousins; and countless friends, classmates, teachers, neighbors, physicians, nurses, therapists, and supporters whose lives were forever changed by knowing him.
A funeral service honoring David’s life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Shrine of Remembrance. Additional service details will be shared with those planning to attend.
There is no way to summarize twelve incredible years into a few paragraphs.
David was deeply loved. He loved deeply in return.
His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, in the research that may one day help another child, and in every act of kindness inspired by his story. He will be missed every day and loved forever.
To read more about David’s life, please visit the following link.