“The love in our family flows strong and deep, leaving us memories to treasure and keep.” -- Anonymous.

After a valiant battle with cancer, David departed our world peacefully, surrounded by his family, on April 19, 2023, shortly after his 68th birthday. He was a loving son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, cousin, friend, and husband. He was a motivating force, a pioneer in community television, an insatiable lover of life, travel, hiking, and family, and an inspiration to all.

Married in 1997, David shared 28 years with his loving wife and soulmate Pat Wade. They built a home where the doors were always open for family and friends to gather. Together they co-raised two exceptional children, Kerry and Graham, and became grandparents to twins Willow, Everleigh, and Saylor, to whom he was lovingly known as “Opa”, the Swiss-German name for Grandfather.

Family was everything to David. He was incredibly proud of his children and the adults they had become. Watching them succeed in life, love, and their careers was pure joy. David loved being an Opa too! He often took Willow & Everleigh on adventures to the park. They watched birds through their binoculars, identified trees, learned the meaning of signs, and talked about everything along the way! When Saylor arrived – a mini Graham - his heart melted. He knew his grandchildren were loved beyond measure, with Graham and Amanda as parents and Kerry as their aunt. He was the best brother his four sisters could have and the glue that kept the family together and strong. During his parent’s illnesses, he became the primary caregiver, companion, and dog walker to their beloved pets, Rocky and Benjamin.

His love of travel started early when he and his cousin Mike decided to move to British Columbia to make their fortune. Armed with enough sandwiches and snacks his mom had packed for the 3-day train ride, they set off for the station. Unfortunately, the sandwiches were consumed before they left Ontario, and they arrived in BC with nothing but the clothes they had brought with them. That didn’t slow him down.

David shared his passion for hiking, travel, and adventure with Pat. On one of their many hiking trips to Tucson, Arizona, they decided to get married. What better place to find a minister than on the bulletin board in the hiking store? The ceremony occurred in the morning, with the B&B hosts as witnesses, and then back to the trails for a long hike in the afternoon! It was often said of David that he had one speed – fast, and he knew how to get things done!

After several years of hiking together in North America, a good friend, Kathryn suggested that David and Pat try Switzerland. They did, and for the next 22 years, Zermatt, Switzerland, was his favourite annual travel destination. David and Pat were always keen to meet friends Annette & Michael and Cheryl & Michael there, sharing great times on the trails and meals at mountain restaurants. When Amanda and Graham married, David and Pat were thrilled to share their special place with them during their honeymoon. They enjoyed it so much that Graham and Amanda decided to return to Zermatt the next year! Memories that are forever cherished. It was only fitting that one of David’s favorite photos would be the one taken of him at Findlerhof restaurant in Zermatt!

David was a music fanatic. It started when he was a teenager growing up in Newmarket, where his father owned a record store. He would often travel to Toronto to see the likes of the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, David Bowie, and BB King, usually without a ticket! Camera equipment in hand, he entered Maple Leaf Gardens. Security thought he was a photographer, and in he went to document the show. One of his best music memories was seeing the Allman Brothers Band’s final performance at the Beacon Theatre while Pat and he were visiting New York with Pat’s nephew Glenn & his wife, Andrai.

At home, David -- like his parents -- was the ultimate host. With Pat at his side, he was a grill master, a wine connoisseur, and a beer enthusiast, treating guests to top-quality foods and a bottomless glass, all while enjoying his soulful blues and rock and roll music playlists.

He was a passionate landscape gardener and took pride in having the best-looking garden on the block. He was the first in the neighborhood to plant flowers and have his holiday decorations up, and he was the envy of the neighbours.

David made a lifelong career in community television using his many skills, including photography, videography, and large-scale event production. He started as a volunteer and remained with Rogers for 44 years. There he led countless production teams and volunteers in spearheading innovative and exceptional community events, including 20+ Federal, Provincial, and Municipal Elections, Santa Claus Parades, Ontario Special Olympics Opening and Closing ceremonies, hockey tournaments, police funerals, and many other important community events. David moved from community television to corporate events in his final 21 months at Rogers before retiring. His last year saw him producing or participating in over 100 corporate events across Rogers…. not for the faint of heart! David put 110% into every one of his productions. He especially enjoyed his many years working with the Easter Seals Foundation on the Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner, the Telethon, and several events with Toronto Icon Whipper Billy Watson. For over 20 years, he co-chaired the Easter Seals Run Walkathon with his dear friend Joe Persechini. This community event has become an indelible fixture in York Region, raising several million dollars to help children and youth with physical disabilities.

Even after retiring from Rogers, his creative producing style, expertise, and dedication to his craft made him a sought-after resource through his own production company BlackDotPro. Highlights include The Markham Stouffville Hospital Galas, Ted Rogers Awards, Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation Celebration of Hope for breast cancer, Ontario Police Memorial Foundation Ceremony of Remembrance, and York Region District Schoolboard "The Quest" International Education Symposium.

An advocate for good character development in the community, David received several awards, including the inaugural Donald Cousens Award for Community Involvement, York Regional Police - Outstanding Contribution to Community Policing, and Newmarket's Citizen of the Year award.

Like how he lived his life, David’s illness took him fast, and while he was ever optimistic and a fighter, he was no match for the disease. He was grateful for his loving family's exceptional home care and support, making his final days more comfortable.

David is survived by his loving wife Pat, his two children Kerry and Graham and wife Amanda Zamperin; his three grandchildren Everleigh, Willow, and Saylor; his sisters Sharon and husband Kent Malcolm; Arlene, and husband Tom Hickman; Carole and husband Dan Cohen, Connie and husband Richard Connolly, his nephews Colin, Evan, Greg, Justin, and Max, his niece Clara; his sister-in-law Linda and brother-in-law Ron Tucker; nephews Glenn Tucker and wife Andrai Desormeaux and great nephew Devin; Darren Tucker and wife Natalie Poulson and great nephews Nolan and Carter; niece Cindy Enright, and husband Darron and great niece Lexie. He was predeceased by his parents, Roy and Mary.

Our hearts go out to all who knew and loved David, especially Pat, his life partner, soulmate, protector, advisor, confidant, travel companion, caregiver, and advocate. His beloved children, Kerry and Graham, and his four sisters, Sharon, Arlene, Carole, and Connie.

Special thanks to his Princess Margaret Hospital GI oncology Physicians Tsang and Moore, the Princess Margaret Hospital GI triage nurses Glenda, Tanya & Margaret, his Evergreen Palliative Care Physicians Yuen and Patterson, his amazing SRT MedStaff nurse Mehdi Siadati, and the HomeCare Central team. Also, thanks to an extraordinary person - Ellen Dagampat, who has been a special member of our extended family for many years.

Respecting David’s wishes, he will be cremated, and a private family gathering will occur in the Rose Garden at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation at www.mshf.on.ca or Evergreen Palliative Care at www.evgcares.org

We say goodbye far too early but carry on a legacy of love, compassion, and adventure. And while we miss him around, in our hearts, he will always be found.