David died peacefully at home on July 27th surrounded by the love of his family.

Born in Toronto, David was the 4th of 5 sons of George and Louise (Everett) Richardson. The Richardson family summered at Stoney Lake and it was there that David met his true love, Kathy (Cuddy). They married in 1969 and for the next 54 years made a formidable team, best friends for life. Affectionately known as DIR, David was first and foremost a family man and was enormously proud of his two sons, Andrew and Matthew, and his four grandchildren.

David was educated at Upper Canada College (1952-1959) and the University of Toronto (BCom 6T3). He joined the Toronto office of Clarkson Gordon (now Ernst & Young) with his lifelong friend, Bob Long, and they both remained there for more than 40 years. David obtained his CA degree in 1966 and his FCA designation in 1982. For more than 2 decades he was Chairman of Ernst & Young Inc. (formerly The Clarkson Company Limited), the firm’s Corporate Recovery and Insolvency arm, and, during that time, specialized in large and complex corporate debt restructurings, providing leadership on major assignments for government, lenders, regulators and debtor companies. David also played a major role in the design of E&Y’s Toronto offices and had sole responsibility for the firm’s significant collection of Canadian art. His retirement from the partnership in 2002 marked 130 collective years of Richardson family service to the firm over 8 decades.

After retiring from E&Y, David had a second career, first as a Director (2004-2008) and then as Chairman (2008-2017) of Air Canada. During his tenure there, he helped steer the company through some very difficult and challenging times and took it from the edge of bankruptcy to the very top of the airline industry.

David was respected by many, and feared by some, for his no-nonsense and “tough-as-nails” negotiating skills. He couldn’t carry a tune but was nevertheless known for his impeccable comic timing. He also had a natural facility with numbers and could perform remarkable feats of arithmetic in his head. Over the years, he gave generously of his time and talents, mentoring many colleagues and providing sage advice to friends and family members.

In the 1970s, David and Kathy built an off-the-grid cottage on Logan Lake and, during summer vacations there, David instilled in his family the values of self-reliance and independence as well as a great love of the outdoors. For the past 20-odd years, David and Kathy have spent most of their time at the country home they built near Grafton, Ontario and hosted many family celebrations and special events there. David was happiest there puttering about in the garden or on his John Deere tractor or hiking the trails with Kathy and one of the dogs by his side. No task was ever beneath him or above him; throughout his life he was a “get the job done” kind of man.

David and Kathy loved to travel, particularly to the world’s most remote and wild areas, and literally went to the ends of the earth together. No matter where they went, David had a smile on his face and a video camera to his eye, and never turned down a piece of carrot cake.

David will be sorely missed by his beloved wife, Kathy; his sons, Andrew (Mariah Carbone) and Matthew (Robin Mogensen Richardson); his grandchildren, Rose, Xander, Bruce and Alatna; his brothers John (Pam), Peter (Nancy), Douglas (Marianna) and Jay (Birute); and his extended family, his colleagues at E&Y and Air Canada, and many friends worldwide.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care (www.tlcpc.org) or another charity of your choice. Details of a celebration of David’s life will be announced at a later date.