Obituary for David Prince
David Alexander Prince was born on June 17, 1963, in Queens, New York to loving parents, Dolph and Patricia Prince, and a doting older brother, Tony. He was raised on the same block as several aunts, uncles and cousins, and in his youth, often was surrounded by family. From his earliest days, David was exceptionally funny, deeply introspective and talented. He was a gifted and inquisitive student and was selected into the Robert F. Kennedy Incentive Program for middle school prior to attending Christ the King High School. As a teenager, he taught himself how to play multiple instruments, and spent many hours entertaining himself by playing the piano at the home of his Aunt Juanita, who lived down the street. During the summer following his senior year of high school, he challenged himself and succeeded in writing a book manuscript, which was typewritten generously by his cousin, Jennifer. Like his brother, David proudly graduated from St. John’s University, where he formed many lifelong friendships. In 1990, David married Connie Walden, and from their union, a son, Julian, was born on October 17, 1993.
After exploring careers in modeling and stand-up comedy, David hit his stride as an advertising professional, which allowed him to combine his business degree and artistic sensibility. He truly loved the advertising industry, and above all, he considered himself a storyteller and a strategist for his clients. Over his thirty-plus year career, he worked in many top agencies, eventually becoming a senior vice president after successfully running his own firm for several years. In 2009, David became an adjunct professor of advertising strategy at City College of New York, which he immensely enjoyed. As many friends and colleagues have experienced, he firmly believed in reaching back as he climbed forward. He felt like his mission was to improve the lives of others he came in contact with, for any measurable length of time, especially through humor and mentoring. David was particularly passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in his industry and in recent months, had shared completed chapters of a forthcoming book for people of color seeking successful careers in advertising. He knew that “when the right person tells you that you are amazing, you believe it, feel it and act like it.” When recently asked what people should want their legacy to be, he said, “I think we want to be remembered as living our truths. Sounds easy, but it is more difficult than we think.”
David was pre-deceased by his father, Dolph. He is survived by his son, Julian, his loving mother, Patricia, his brother, Tony, sister-in-law, Kim, aunt, Patricia, niece, Angela (Corey), two nephews, T.J. (Misty) and Brian, seven great-nieces/nephews, several cousins and a host of friends and colleagues whom he loved like family. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family welcomes donations to be made in David’s memory to the Marcus Graham Project, which seeks to widen the pipeline of diverse media and marketing leaders.
After exploring careers in modeling and stand-up comedy, David hit his stride as an advertising professional, which allowed him to combine his business degree and artistic sensibility. He truly loved the advertising industry, and above all, he considered himself a storyteller and a strategist for his clients. Over his thirty-plus year career, he worked in many top agencies, eventually becoming a senior vice president after successfully running his own firm for several years. In 2009, David became an adjunct professor of advertising strategy at City College of New York, which he immensely enjoyed. As many friends and colleagues have experienced, he firmly believed in reaching back as he climbed forward. He felt like his mission was to improve the lives of others he came in contact with, for any measurable length of time, especially through humor and mentoring. David was particularly passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in his industry and in recent months, had shared completed chapters of a forthcoming book for people of color seeking successful careers in advertising. He knew that “when the right person tells you that you are amazing, you believe it, feel it and act like it.” When recently asked what people should want their legacy to be, he said, “I think we want to be remembered as living our truths. Sounds easy, but it is more difficult than we think.”
David was pre-deceased by his father, Dolph. He is survived by his son, Julian, his loving mother, Patricia, his brother, Tony, sister-in-law, Kim, aunt, Patricia, niece, Angela (Corey), two nephews, T.J. (Misty) and Brian, seven great-nieces/nephews, several cousins and a host of friends and colleagues whom he loved like family. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family welcomes donations to be made in David’s memory to the Marcus Graham Project, which seeks to widen the pipeline of diverse media and marketing leaders.