David Schectman

Ian (David) Schectman was born on May 6, 1956, as the eldest of two sons to Phyllis Smith and Aaron Schectman of Colonia, New Jersey. His love of the arts was evident early on and developed into life-long passions for reading, writing, drawing comics, and telling jokes. In his early twenties, David moved to the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles to be near his mother, Phyllis, and his step-father, Raymond Cayse. David passed away in his home in Tarzana, California, on May 7, 2025, at age 69.

 

Throughout his life, David was drawn to people and maintained decades-long relationships all across the U.S. He was proud of his twenty-year career working in the file room at Kaiser Permanente and was blessed with health insurance for the rest of his life as a result of that work. Additionally, David was dedicated to personal improvement. He joined many health-related self-help organizations, where he found loving support through passionate mentors and caring friendships. In his later years, he took great pleasure in showcasing his success in losing “a whole person” in weight and other significant health improvements with the support of some very devoted caregivers.

 

David’s life was filled with creativity, loving relationships, and eternal optimism despite the many chronic life-long health challenges he courageously faced. He was incredibly grateful for the gift of loving support that he received from the people in his life and often spoke about his desire to be of service to others. He faithfully spent time checking on beloved family and friends and shared his gift of presence through conversation, reading to others, and sharing his writing, artwork, and humor. Although his life was far too short, he left behind a legacy of loving friendship.

 

David is preceded in death by his mother, Phyllis Cayse; father, Aaron Schectman; stepfather, Raymond Cayse; and stepmother, Carol Schectman. His surviving family members include: brother, Hal Schectman (Denise); stepmother, Dojie Cayse; step-siblings, Julie Kirkpatrick (Brent), Russ Cayse (Lisa), David Reisman, and Michael Reisman (Mary Rose); cousins, including Ray Wexler (Elaine) and Ed Wexler (Brenda); and many nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to be a part of his story.

 

A graveside service will be held at the Mount Sinai Chapel in Simi Valley on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to organizations near and dear to David’s heart:

 

United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc.,

P. O. Box 2293, Biddeford, ME 04005-2293, 800-826-0826, https://www.ostomy.org/donate/

 

Parkinson’s Foundation

5757 Waterford District Drive, Ste 310, Miami, FL 33126, 800-473-4636

parkinson.org