On November 30, 2016 at the age of 87, David passed away peacefully surrounded by family. David was predeceased by his wife, Rosemary, and is survived by his wife, Brenda; daughter Susan Bodnar (John), grandchildren Emma, Hamish, Isabel; son Rob (Donna) and grandchildren Connor and Brooke. David will be fondly remembered by his brother, Alastair (Sandra); as well as by Brenda’s sons and their families, Grant (Diane), grandchildren Dayna and Chloe; Colin, grandchildren Graham, Holly and Nicholas; Mark (Alison), grandchildren Noel, Calvin and Annelise.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, David immigrated to Canada in 1952 after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant. David began his professional life with the CPR in Montreal. In 1956, he moved to Vancouver, B.C. and became a partner with McDonald, Currie & Co., (a predecessor of Coopers & Lybrand and PricewaterhouseCoopers). From 1973 to his retirement, he was the managing partner. Prior to retirement in 1989, he served briefly as interim Superintendent of Brokers. In 2010, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C.
David’s commitment to his professional life was equalled by his service to the community. He was passionate about health care and served as a commissioner on the BC Royal Commission on Health Care. He served on the boards of the BC Children’s Foundation and the BC Parkinson’s Institute. David was chair of the BC Cancer Foundation as well as a trustee of the Vancouver General Hospital. He also served on the board of TRIUMF, a nuclear research project jointly conducted by the University of
British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria and the University of Alberta. In addition, David chaired the finance committee for the University of Victoria’s board of Governors and served on the board of the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, B.C. In 1993, David joined the board of Cominco and chaired the committee of directors recommending the merger of Cominco with Teck Corporation.
David’s dedication to his professional life and philanthropic interests was balanced by his love of gardening, fishing and, most of all, golf. He was a long time member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland, the Capilano Golf Club, the Kapalua Golf Club and the Victoria Golf Club.
A celebration of David’s life will take place in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC Cancer Foundation would be appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Rob McDannold
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Sue Fryer To all David Sinclair’s family – My husband, Justin Fryer, thought the world of David. He had known him for many years and worked in MacDonald Currie in Montreal with him (pre-Coopers & Lybrand days). David guided us through the awful time of the Castor law suit and when Justin died in April, 2015, he was my mentor with all the intricacies of paperwork in the days and months following. I do believe that you will all see him again in Heaven and I pray you are strong in the days to come. He was a wonderful man..my condolences.
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Bill Boden My condolences to David’s family on this sad news. I was employed at McDonald Currie, later C&L, gaining my C.A. there. David was a great mentor to all and I gratefully learned a lot from him. He had well deserved tremendous respect from staff and clients. A confident personality, he had a wonderful warm side as well. RIP David, following a life well-lived.
Bill Boden
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Joyce and John Pearkes Dear Brenda
It was with great sadness that we learned from John and Joan Tennant that David had died. It seems like yesterday when he and I would lunch together on a fairly regular basis at the old University Club. Due perhaps to our similar political views Joyce and I developed many friends in common with David and Rosemary. With the determination of a true Scot he went on to many achievements of which you, having been at his side, can be justly proud. David was always so healthy and happy and never more so than when you departed to Vancouver Island as he was when we last saw him. We were sorry to learn from Martin Linsley that the ravages of ill health had not been kind to him in recent months.
Joyce and I both extend to you and the family our sincere sympathy.
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Dave Howard Dear Brenda,
I was very sad to read today that David has passed. In 1961 I joined McDonald,Currie and David was my appointed Principal (Mentor) and I can remember he was pretty tough to work under, but of course later I recognized that he was priming me for the hard realities of the real work world,
I can still remember the day I met with him and asked if I should take a job opportunity I had received or was there a chance I’d become a partner. As only David could do he recommended I take the job opportunity which was the best thing he could ever have done for me as it started my life career as a Developer.. At the time he saw something I didn’t and set me on a great business path. Thanks DR.He was a unique man , a marvellous accountant. His favourite advice to us young accountants was ” don’t worry about it bullshit will
baffle brains any day”.
I am grateful for the part he played in my life. Patti and I send you our sympathy at this difficult time. Please keep us advised regarding the celebration of his life…with sympathy…Dave and Patti
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Katy Hutchison Susan, John, Emma, Hamish & Isabel,
We were saddened to hear of your beloved Dad’s passing. Our sincerest condolences to you all.
With love,
Katy Hutchison & family
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Nancy Donen Dear Robbie,
I have a beautiful painting in my home of Hornby Island. I was just admiring it this morning after I wrote my condolences to Suzie……it gave me pause to reflect on my childhood and the happy days we spent together at Shingle Spit on Hornby Island, under the care of your wonderful parents.
I’m thinking of you at this time of deep sorrow and know that you will cherish the many fond and loving memories of your Dad, as do I.
Sincerest condolences,
Nancy Macdougall Donen
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Miriam Macdougall Dear Brenda, Robbie and Suzie;
I am very sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. I always enjoyed his company and a good Scotch. He had a very successful and happy life.
Brenda, please give me a call when you feel up to it, (604 922 5341).
Thinking of you,
Miriam Macdougall
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Nancy Donen Dear Suzie, John, Emma, Hamish, Isabel,
I am so terribly sorry for the loss of your Father/Grandfather. I remember him, along with your Mother/ Grandmother very fondly.
I know that you will take comfort in the many wonderful memories of your time with him.
Sincerest Condolences,
Nancy (Macdougall) Donen
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Bill Brown Wendy and I were greatly saddened to here of David’s passing. I first met David as a client and good friend of my business partner, Gordon Brown at Brown Bros Agencies Ltd. in Victoria. Over the years, David’s advice was always valued and even in retirement, generously offered his professional councel whenever asked. Latterly, I shared many rounds of golf and as a couple, a few events at the Victoria Golf Club with he and Brenda. David always had a smile for you and a fond greeting and will be missed by us both.
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John Cole Although I did not know David well, I was always impressed with the way he conducted himself. As a partner in Toronto I saw David infrequently – primarily at partners’ meetings. I have a particularly fond memory of playing golf at Glen Abbey with David and how much he hated losing the money game we arranged on the first tee.
Dear Brenda and family, my condolences and heartfelt thoughts & prayers go out to you and your family. The Dean river fishing group that David started back in the late sixties is still going strong. Our group is forever in his debt. Know that our traditions and friendships that were made through that week on the Dean are all due to David. We all have so many fond memories of our golfing and fishing trips together.