Caroline Snow (Friend)

Entered September 13, 2025 from Toronto

I remember the first time I meet David it was on the front lawn of Julia’s house, both of us with dirt on our hands from gardening. Julia and Carl having just moved in to their home, David was helping Julia with her crazy new overgrown front garden. I was out front of my house doing some gardening and he called over 3 houses down asking if I needed any help. This was the first time I met him but felt like I had known for years and anytime I saw him after that day he always said hello. I remember him telling me how proud he was of his daughter and so excited that she and Carl had bought their house with such nice neighbours. Although I didn’t know David for long, I just knew when I met him that he was a kind, caring and sweet man. May he rest in peace with the angels above. 🕊️

Kelly and Boris Ziger (Friend)

Entered September 16, 2025 from Toronto

Brenda, our hearts go out to you and your family. David had a beautiful spirit that touched our lives. From his warm smile to his quirkiness and kindness he will always live fondly in our hearts.

Debbie Edwards (Friend)

Entered September 23, 2025 from Scarborough

I am so sorry for your loss and send sincere condolences to you Brenda, and all David's family and friends.

Cheryl Bower (Brenda’a friend)

Entered September 25, 2025 from Toronto

There is a great loss when people are bigger than life. David was bigger than life, with strong convictions and an unwavering sense of both fun and justice. I hope you find solace in your memories, Brenda.

Peter Cronin (Friend)

Entered October 1, 2025 from Grimsby

So sad to learn of the passing of my old high school buddy from Grimsby. He was a laugh riot then, and it appears a laugh riot right to the end. Years after high school he would come to our slow pitch games, and delighted in haranguing the opposing batters and pitchers with, of course, the most humorous and light-hearted insults. We lost touch, but Dave was the kind of friend one could always strike up with, right from where we last left things, even decades later. So, even after all these years, for me there's a hole left in the universe without Dave in it. It's great to find he had a great life, with many terrific friends and experiences, and a loving family. Gone too soon. I'm so sorry for your loss.

A tribute to Dad from his Master Gardener Mentor, Desre:

David Morris was a wonderful character.
He was interesting, different, flamboyant, a great dresser with a nifty hat, had a marvelous attitude towards life, loved people, and was incredibly proud of being a Master Gardener. He had a personality as big as a planet. You always knew when David was in the room; he lit it up.
I knew him for less than three years, which is when he became a MGiT. I never met his beloved partner Brenda Johansen but he spoke very lovingly of her on our long walks through Wilket Creek park. He has left her and their children way too soon.
As you all know from Pat’s email, he graduated as a MG only a couple of months ago. And he was so delighted! He even signed off on an email that he sent us all in June “Newly Minted MG, (smiley face)”.
David loved being a semi-retired volunteer. On his linked in page (with nearly 1,000 followers), he defined himself as: “David J. Morris, MBA, Artist, Master Gardener, Scuba Diver, Incredibly happy person. Currently involved in charitable and volunteer work.” There was more: “I am a scientist, artist, humanist, horticulturist, innovator, environmentalist, experimenter and artist.” And just incase that was not enough, he adds: “Life has never been better”.
David was not only a member of TMG. His signature at the end of his emails included a list of the other organizations he belonged to:
Artist in Residence at “The Croft”
Garden Club of Toronto
Mycological Society of Toronto
Ontario Invasive Species Council
Canadian Council on Invasive Species
Landscape Ontario
Toronto Botanical Gardens
The Greater Toronto Bulb Society
The Toronto Herb Society

Wherever he went, and whatever group he joined, David was a presence. Admittedly he did mention to me how much he loved being surrounded by, and feted by, the middle-aged ladies that dominate most of these organizations. He just loved everyone he met and always wanted them to be having as good a time as he was.


I will end with his words that he wrote in an email to all of us about his experience with Through the Garden Gate.
“ I wanted to thank everyone who volunteered their time to putting TTGG together.
Not only did I personally have a marvelous day but I was able to witness the joy of the many people who attended and I even made some new friends!
If you have never participated in this event I highly recommend you remove whatever obstacles that have kept you away and do yourself this favour. It is an event unlike any other "garden tour".