David Thomas Arena Esq., 58, passed away, surrounded by his loving wife and son, on October 2, 2026. David is a man whose larger-than-life personality could fill any room and warm any heart. Known for his infectious smile and enthusiasm and unshakeable love for his family, David lived life at full throttle, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, adventure, and deeply cherished memories. David was born March 5,1968 in New Jersey.

David met his wife, Bridget, when they were young adults in 1988. Together, they turned life into an endless adventure. Whether traveling to new places, tackling life’s challenges hand-in-hand, or finding joy in the quiet everyday moments at home. David and Bridget were inseparable. For 38 incredible years together, they built a life centered on home, family and travel. Their marriage was defined by countless adventures, from exploring the world together to attending Chicago street festivals, hosting backyard BBQs, or simply making a meal together at home. David approached everything with enthusiasm, leaving behind a legacy of love that will never fade.

Together they had one son, Nathan Daniel, and were proud to raise him with the morals and values infused in their own upbringings. Nothing in his life compared to the joy of being a dad. David was a fiercely supportive and deeply engaged father, constantly laughing and bringing warmth to every moment. Among his favorite traditions was his weekly father-son night out with Nathan at Buffalo Wild Wings, a special time they both cherished.

David attended Loyola University Chicago where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1993. He was a member of the Phi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society and recipient of the Presidential Scholarship

Immediately upon graduation, David moved to Cleveland to attend Cleveland Marshall College of Law where he received his J.D. with honors in 1996. During his time in law school, David took first place in the Cleveland Marshall College of Law Moot Court Competition, where he received the Dean’s Moot Court Award for Outstanding Advocate and the Hugo Black Award for Outstanding Oralist. David participated in the 1995 ABA National Moot Court Competition, where his team was awarded Best Ohio School and Best Respondents’ Brief. In addition, David received the Cleveland Marshall Law Alumni Scholarship Award consecutively in 1995 and 1996.

To David, a stranger was just a lifelong friend he hadn’t met yet. He greeted new faces with genuine curiosity and open arms, expanding his circle wherever life took him. Remarkably, the deep bonds he forged during those joyful youth years remained unbroken; he stayed fiercely loyal to his school friends, laughing and sharing life with them until his very last days.

David T. Arena is the Principal of Arena Law Office, LLC. David began his law career with DiMonte & Lizak in 1996, becoming an Equity Partner in 2005. David left his position as equity partner to start his own law firm – Arena Law Office LLC. in January of 2020. Throughout his illustrious career, spanning 30 years, he provided unparalleled legal counsel in the areas of commercial litigation, construction law, business law, trial and appellate work, mechanic’s liens, mortgage foreclosures, probate litigation, contract law, municipal law – code and ordinance violations, land use and zoning, and condominium law. David has recorded a compilation of ISBA Consumer Law Videos on Mechanic’s Liens and authored two chapters for the 2014 Edition of the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education “Mechanics Liens in Illinois”. His passion, brilliance, and steadfast commitment to justice will forever be remembered by all who had the privilege of working alongside him or seeking his counsel.

To say David was an avid Chicago Bears fan would be an understatement; Sundays in the fall were a sacred ritual of shouting at the TV while wearing his lucky jersey. When he wasn’t cheering on his beloved Bears, he was answering the call of the great outdoors. He was a true nature lover who found peace and excitement in equal measure—whether he was quietly casting a line while fishing at dawn, carving down snowy mountains on his skis, or exploring the depths of the ocean as an enthusiastic scuba diver.

David is survived by his devoted wife, Bridget Arena (née Morlock) and his son, Nathan; his mother Antonetta Arena, father and stepmother, J. Paul and Dorothy Arena, brothers Paul (Gigi) Arena, John (Jill) Arena, Marc (Christy) Arena, Tom (Jessie) Arena, sister Sandi (Mike) Fisher and stepsister Michele (Aaron) Hayes.

He’s also survived by twenty-three loving nieces and nephews and their children: Erica Arena (Luca Grey), Jonathan (Jamie) Arena (Wyatt), Joseph Arena, Jennifer Arena, Ella (Jacob) Woods (Laney Mae), Sophia Arena, Liam Arena, Gavin Arena, Gabriel Arena, Jaques Mitchell (William), James (Candace) Mitchell (Mason), Jordan Mitchell, Daniel Morlock, Danielle (Kyle) Cabrerra (Aiden and Autumn), Spencer Troline, Calista Morlock, Payton Morlock, Sophia Pielet, Gianna Pielet, Anastasia Abbasi, Simone Abbasi, Elise Abbasi, and Jaqueline Abbasi.

He is predeceased by his grandparents, Giovanni and Mary Arena, Godfather and Uncle Salvatore Arena, and his brothers-in-law; Daniel J. Morlock and David C. Morlock.

David was a familiar and welcome face throughout Park Ridge. He took great pride in civic leadership, actively serving as a Board Member for the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce and contributing to local traditions on the Park Ridge Farmers Market Committee. Driven by a profound sense of service to others, he also trained and volunteered with the Park Ridge Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Known for being always willing to help if needed, David was well known, well liked, and always ready to lend a helping hand to neighbors and strangers alike.

David lived life with an open heart and an infectious energy. He was known as the spark in every room. He had a rare gift for turning ordinary moments into wild, legendary adventures, bringing people together through his fun and famously crazy antics. David believed that family and friends are what matter most in life and he looked for every opportunity to bring people closer. He possessed a rare warmth that naturally turned good friends into family. David leaves behind a vast network of devoted family and friends who will carry his adventurous torch forward.

Memorial Gathering, Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 820 Talcott Rd., Park Ridge, IL 60068. Family and friends to meet, Monday, October 12, 2026 at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church 320 S. Washington Ave., Park Ridge, IL 60068 for the Funeral Mass that will begin at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation in David's name to the American Heart Association would be appreciated. For information, 847-823-5122 or www.nelsonfunerals.com