David Leo Sweeney

GENEVA - David Leo Sweeney, a native of Geneva, New York, and a long-time educator and entertainment media personality residing in New York City, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, at Clifton Springs Hospital after a brief illness.

Family and friends may call on Friday (March 27th) from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the McGuigan & Bero Funeral Home, 45 High St., Geneva. Funeral services will be held on Saturday (March 28th) with prayers at 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

David was born in 1956 to the late David B. and Kathleen T. Sweeney of Geneva, New York. He was a graduate of DeSales High School (Class of 1974) and of the State University of New York at Geneseo. At DeSales, Dave was an honor student and was especially known for his athleticism, particularly in basketball. At Geneseo, Dave starred in lacrosse and cross-country track.

After graduating from SUNY Geneseo in 1978, Dave embarked upon a lifetime career as a teacher: first in Waterloo, New York, then in Los Angeles, California, and finally in New York City, where he taught in the public school system for 25 years. Dave was especially well known and highly regarded for his basketball coaching and for his instruction of young adults in the High School Equivalency Diploma program conducted by the New York City public schools.

Throughout his life, Dave had a passion for the theater. While living in Los Angeles, Dave studied acting and became a member of the Screen Actors Guild and of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. After Dave settled in New York City in the mid-1990s, he studied creative writing for theatrical and film scripts. He collaborated with various theatrical groups as an actor and as a playwright. Later, he became involved with independent film production groups as an actor and as a screenplay writer. For a number of years, he produced, directed, and starred in the Dave Gold Show, a variety show carried on New York City public access cable television, which was designed to introduce aspiring young performers to the entertainment media.

Dave is survived by his brothers Patrick (Dara), Peter (Darlene), and Joseph (Marla), and by eight nephews and nieces and their families. He will always be remembered by his brothers as the spark for countless, fun-filled journeys to LA and to the Big Apple.

For tributes and condolences, please visit www.mcguiganberofuneralhome.com