David John Falconer was born September 18, 1916, in Long Island City, New York, the son of David and Elizabeth (Speerschneid Schaefer) Falconer. This was a second marriage for both Elizabeth and David...in 1910 they were both widowed, and she was working for him as his housekeeper. They married in August of 1910, and each brought a son to the marriage, Harold Falconer born around 1902, and Edmund Schaefer born 1903.
In 1920 the family, with David and his two half-brothers, was living on Patterson Avenue in Queens. David's father, David Senior, worked as a trucking contractor, and later as an auto salesman.
Throughout the 1930's and 1940's, David and his parents lived at 2113 31st Avenue in Queens. Remaining remarkably close, Edmund and Harold both continued to live next door at 2115 31st Avenue with their wives and families. Both worked as truck drivers, hauling fuel oil and working for the sanitation department.
In 1936 David went to sea on the SS President Taft, working as a "mess boy." He was 5'10 1/2", and weighed 150 pounds. The ship traveled between New York and Los Angeles, California.
In December of 1942, with the United States involved in WWII, David enlisted as a private in the US Army, "for the duration of the War...plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President." He gave his civilian occupation as a "weigher."
From 1973 until 1995 when he was 78 years old, David made his home in Long Island City.
David J. Falconer died June 19, 1995, and was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: US Social Security Death Index, US Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; US Federal Censuses 1910, 1920, 1930 and 1940; New York, State Census, 1925; US WWII Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946, US Public Records Index, 1950-1993; US, WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (David Sr.); and New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957.