David Davidson
Died: January 2, 2016 | Place: LHSC - University Hospital
Obituary
DAVIDSON, David “Dave”…
Passed away at University Hospital, London, on Saturday, January 2, 2016. Dave Davidson formally of Collingwood, Ontario was in his 76th year. Much loved father of Tracy Lee Blair of Kitchener, Paul Davidson (Cheri) of Millbrook, Steve Davidson (Cherie) of Ottawa, Dottie Duncan (Jamie) of London and Dawn DeCarlo (Glen) of London. Proud grandfather of Lauren Wasyluk (Mike), Michael Blair, Luke Davidson, Foster Davidson, Dylan Davidson, Jack Davidson, Riley Duncan, Jayden Duncan and Matthew Duncan. Also survived by Laverna Davidson. Predeceased by his parents Ross and Della and his brother Jack (Marie). Dave will be lovingly remembered by family and friends. Dave was an avid “fun loving” golfer who loved the sun with scotch in hand. Cremation has taken place. In keeping with Dave’s wishes, his family invites you to Celebrate His Life with them on Sunday, January 17, 2016, 2pm to 5pm at The Pines, 115 Fountain Street South, Cambridge, Ontario. Please bring your thoughts, prayers, stories and fondest memories. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Presbyterian Church in Canada, 50 Wynford Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1J7 or London Humane Society, 624 Clark Road, London, Ontario N5V 3K5. A. Millard George Funeral Home, entrusted with cremation arrangements 519-433-5184. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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I knew Dave through our work together with the Grand Valley Mathematics Association (GVMA) and the Ontario Association for Mathematics Education (OAME). He was a mentor who always encouraged his fellow teachers to share. Our mathematics education curriculum improved dramatically through the 1980’s and 1990’s. Dave, as GVMA chair and later OAME president had much to do with this positive progress. We need more like him today. Rest in peace, David. Jack
To Dave’s family
It was only a few days ago that some of the fellas still playing hockey were telling stories about our teacher hockey nights from years ago. Your dad, played for a lot of years with us and figured in many of our recollections. His hearty laughs in the dressing room and his competitive spirit on the ice will be fond memories for us, now that he is gone. He will be missed by us all and we wish you all the best as you move forward.
Thinking of you
Neil and Pat Buie
To Dave Davidson’s loved ones
Please accept my sincerest condolences. My father, Ted Cook, taught mathematics at CCI with Dave and Dave was my favourite teacher. He taught me so much and we kept in touch as I myself went on to teach and then ventured into the mathematics and business world. I am saddened to hear of his passing. I would call him Pinkie as he wore pink ties and I gave him a Christmas gift of a pink tie. He would sign off his emails to me as “Pinkie”. He was a wonderful man.
Sincerely,
Tanya Thompson
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your father Tracy. He is at rest now and his love for his family is eternal. Bless you and your family.
My condolences Tracy and Family at this sad time. May many happy times with your dad fill your hearts.
Dave and I began our teaching careers at the same time in Guelph Ontario. We attended Summer School together at Western one summer and he earned an”A” while the rest of us struggled. Dave was an excellent teacher, department head and leader.
It was so sad to hear of Dave’s passing. We taught together at Collingwood Collegiate for many years. I always felt honoured that he drove to my cottage on Manitoulin Island just to take me out for lunch while he was in a golf tournament in Sudbury. Please accept my condolences.
Pauline and I wish to express our deepest condolences to Dawn and Glen and to all members of the family at the passing of Dave. Although our contact with Dave was infrequent we feel a deep connection to him through Dawn. He will be missed greatly.
I worked with Dave for many years on OAME, both on council and in curriculum committees. His company was always a pleasure and his commitment to mathematics education inspiring. He was also fun to be with socially. He will be missed. I will be raising a glass of Scotch to him.
My condolence to the family.
Dave and I worked together in the Mathematics Dept. at Collingwood Collegiate Institute for 30 years.
I have many great memories of our involvement with GVMA, OAME and NCTM as well as writing curriculum together.
I fondly remember golfing, fishing( yes he did fish a bit) and playing hockey with Dave.
I cherished our freindship Dave.
Rest in peace. Doug
Dear Laverna ,
We are thinking of you at this time.
We know it is a blessing and you will be looking to the future now.
Suzanne.
We were very sorry to hear about Dave. He was a fine person who also made huge contributions as a teacher and to The Ontario Association of Mathematics Educators, Mathematics Association for Cottage Country and Grand Valley Mathematics Association.
We will miss his positive outlook on life. I hope that he and his buddy Paul Pogue are enjoying a game of golf in the sky.
Hi
I was sorry to hear of Dave’s passing
My condolences to you and family
Todd
Sorry to hear about your loss,. I worked with and am a good friend of Dawn. He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mary Keays
Dear Laverna and families
Thinking of you at this time in the passing of your dear David. May there be comfort in knowing that with a quick thought, closing of your eyes, the wipe away of a tear, the beating of your heart, memories of David will be there for you always. Keeping you close in our hearts and prayers at this very sad time.
David Davidson
I have many fond memories of times with Dave. As Chair of GVMA from 1990 to 1995, his leadership resulted in a very successful OAME Conference hosted by GVMA in 1995. He organized the publishers and exhibits at this conference and treated everyone fairly. He always greeted The Executive Committee with a huge welcoming smile in his fine suits. I enjoyed many games of golf with Dave not to mention the pitchers of beer afterwards, which Dave was usually the first one to buy. Then there was our mutual enjoyment of a rusty nail that we had at some fine restaurants.
Dave put his mark on Ontario Mathematics Education through his excellent teaching, writing books, and speaking at conferences through his involvement in GVMA from 1972 to 1995.
His family can be very proud of his many accomplishments in education, as a financial advisor and a friend to all.
Rest in peace,
Dean
My sincere condolences to Dave’s family. I gratefully recall his tireless dedication to the Ontario Association for Mathematics Education and his warm welcome to me when I joined the group. He contributions to Mathematics Education in Ontario will continue to benefit students for years to come.
I’m sad to hear this news – I had the privilege of getting to know Dave a bit through our connection at Trinity Community Church in Oro. He always had a warm smile and firm handshake for me … our prayers and condolences are with all of you who knew and loved him.
Dear Dawn,
Thinking of you and your family at this time of your Dad’s passing.
Linda.
When we returned to school in January a fellow staff member mentioned Dave’s passing to me and I thought another great teacher has left us. This morning when I opened an email from Tracy forwarded by our office staff I was moved by the opportunity to express my feelings about Dave.
I am a graduate of Collingwood Collegiate and I fondly remember having Mr. Davidson as a math teacher for both Functions and Calculus. He absolutely knew how to motivate me and in my final semester of high school suggested I may not be able to carry on all my extracurricular activities and do well in calculus. Just the push I needed to prove him wrong! I was a bus student, but arrived at school early enough to get extra help in math before school started. I was a regular in the math office that semester, sitting beside Mr. Davidson’s desk while he puffed on his pipe (yes in the days before smoking in school was banned!!) and patiently took me step by step through those math problems. At the end of the semester my math mark was the highest it had ever been. I moved onto university and teacher’s college intending to teach physical education or science. When I graduated I sought a position at Collingwood Collegiate which involved teaching science and math. At that time Department Heads were involved in the interview process. I will never forget the principal looking at Mr. Davidson and asking if I could teach math. He never missed a beat and replied “Absolutely!” So began my teaching career with Dave as my mentor. I feel very fortunate to have mentored by Dave. I know you will miss him greatly.
Hello to Dave’s Family ,
I taught with Dave at CCI , 1992 to
2010. I was from Cape Breton and taught 21 years with Halifax County schools. Dave was always so welcoming to me as a newie on staff. If he forgot my name he just smiled and called me Anne of Green Gables which was a nick name I was called for 42 years of teaching. I too loved the fine Scotches but not golfing but after an evening of Scottish Country dancing! I always enjoyed talking to Dave about the
Classics in Literature and he often read the same books as my husband Ken was reading! Our paths at CCI did not cross a lot since I taught Family Studies and Science and later Civics and a few semesters of English after Dave retired. We chatted more at the social CCI events. I enjoyed seeing the Family photos where Dave was a proud husband , Dad and Grandad !
Teachers are always fondly remembered by students and other teachers as we worked and shared and learned from each other!
My condolences to the Davidson Family. Dave was a great volleyball coach, (CCI) and a hard math teacher. I have lots of fond memories of my Senior Girls Volleyball final year 1978/79. Rest in peace Dave.
Hi. Kevin Hamlin here. I am a teacher at Collingwood Collegiate, now for 29 years, and back in my first year I remember Dave well. We taught together for many years. I remember Dave being that person who “ran the school”. He was a teacher. He was a department head, Above all, he was “that teacher” that everybody knew was really in charge. Truth be told, hescared me a little bit in those early years. But what I found out about Dave was that underneath that strong confident exterior was a gentle soul with a kind heart. There were many times in my early days that he guided me and had my back and I’ll always be thankful for that. If I think back to those early days in my career Dave is that one teacher that I remember as a standout, and somebody that all of his colleagues regarded as so special. Rest in peace Dave. Know that you made a difference in this world in so many ways, teaching being just one of them.
I certainly remember your dad as a math teacher at CCI in the 80’s. I currently work at CCI as an educational assistant. You could always find your dad in the upstairs hallways of the math wing with a smile on his face. He had a great sense of humor and I enjoyed his math classes. I also knew him as Dottie’s dad. The time Dottie and I spent together doing projects, hanging out and on sports teams together.Oh and those crazy brothers of yours. My thoughts are with the family as you remember the fun times and years you had together.
Our sincere condolences to the family. Dave’s contributions to mathematics education were outstanding. I had the pleasure of working with him many times over the years. His unassuming and supportive approach was greatly appreciated. Dave was a fine person and we will miss him.
To Laverna and Dave’s family, I offer my condolences and fond memories of working with Dave at CCI. Though I usually taught Art (Steve’s West Side Story poster may still be at school!), the few times I had a Math course Dave was always there with a supportive word or suggestion. He was one of the most honest and direct people I have known. He was fearless. Once, over a conversation at Tim Horton’s regarding a school matter, his advice to me was to tell the person in question to _______, well, you can imagine what he said! It was the only time I didn’t take his advice. He tried to help me with my golf game on a few occasions, lending me an old set of clubs. Ski days were runs with Jackie Plater,Rick Berni, and the rest of us. There were Fridays at the Gateway with Sandy Stoutenberg and the Math crew after school, and after Parent Teacher interviews. He was such a dynamic and intelligent person. As I read the other condolences I am struck by the warmth that emanates from them. That was Dave. I valued him as a good friend and he will be greatly missed.
Cheryl Harrison
Dave was a teacher in my High School in Guelph when he asked me to join a computer club. We learned to program on mark-sense cards, sent our cards, by courier, to Univ of Waterloo and got printouts at the next meeting. It was probably that involvement that sparked my career in mathematics education. David first nominated me to join OAME council, a role that I have loved for 40+ years. Dave gave lots of time and effort to OAME over the years and he will be missed.
You were a great colleague as we served OAME during some wonderful years. We are honoured to have been your friends. Rest in peace Dave.
Laverna, we missed seeing you and Dave at the Descartes dinner in June. So many memories of our years in OAME. Dave was a positive force in mathematics education in Ontario. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of Dave with his family. He was a proud dad. He worked hard and played hard.
May he rest in peace.
Dave was a longtime both at OAME and on the golf course. We raised many a glass of good along with Poguey. Miss both of them and the good times we shared.
Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I am sure he was an amazing man. He raised a wonderful daughter. Praying for comfort during this time for you and your family.
Dave was my department head when I arrived at CCI in 1976. When I think of him, I think of Math, OAME conferences, June department retreats, cigars, scotch and golf. Most of all, I remember the support and encouragement he provided in my first year of teaching, and continued to provide until he retired. I still have a copy of a letter he wrote to the Board on my behalf when I was docked a day’s pay just two months into my teaching career because I couldn’t make it to school because of an unusual November snowstorm. He later joked that it had been a “career limiting move” to write the letter. His contributions to Collingwood Collegiate, GVMA and OAME will long be remembered.
Dear Laverna we are sending our love and prayers to you. You are not forgotten. God bless you. Love Dave and Gen Whyte, Barrie.
I taught with Dave at CCI for many years. However, I got to know Dave the person when we both joined the Collingwood Kinsmen Club. We attended many socials and work parties where Dave always brought his unique sense of humour. It was my pleasure to serve on his executive when he served as President of the club as well as Deputy Governor of our Zone. His leadership, people and organization skills were outstanding. Rest in peace Double D.