David was born in Hong Kong on November 12, 1940, the youngest of nine children. His mother was a devout Christian who brought up her children to honour Christ and serve in the Church.  

David obtained a medical degree from the University of Hong Kong where he also served as the Chairman and Choir Conductor for the University Christian Association.  After graduation, David worked as a General Surgeon in Hong Kong for several years.

He married Ivy in 1967 and had two sons – Marcus and Edmund.  The couple emigrated to Canada in 1975 and had two more children – Grace and Alison.  After earning a Canadian Fellowship in Anatomical Pathology, David worked as a Pathologist at the Oshawa General Hospital, now renamed the Lakeridge Health Centre, for over two decades. His quiet work ethic and expertise earned him the respect of all his peers.

David was always fit and healthy, and he seldom needed to see a doctor. Over the past two months, however, David experienced recurring stomach pain and he lost a lot of weight.  Tests eventually revealed that he had pancreatic cancer which had spread to his liver and other organs. Despite suffering excruciating pain and discomfort, David remained calm, accommodating and, as always, dignified. He finally succumbed to the disease in the early hours of Sunday, August 24, 2025.

David will always be remembered for his unshakeable faith in God, his humility, quiet dignity, his unwavering principles and his love for his wife, children and grandchildren, Alexander, Nicholas, Isaiah and Immanuel; sons-in-law Daniel Chang and Andy Cheung, and daughter-in-law Sarah Farr.  He leaves behind a loving legacy that will never fade.