David passed into the arms of our loving God on July 9, 20lI at the age of 69 years. David was born in Almonte, Ontario and spent his early years in Pakenham, a place he dearly loved. His ashes will be interred there in the family plot at a later date. David is the beloved husband of The Rev. Carmen Stansberry Simmonds; loving father of sons, Gregory and Keith (Toby), and proud grandfather of Braeden, David, Benjamin, and Nickolas. He is also survived by his former wife and friend, Ellen Mae Simmonds and by loving cousins in Ontario. He will be missed by Carmen’s children, Douglas Stansberry and Janet Stansberry Drake (Todd) and by the many family and friends who have carried him in prayer as he recently dealt with esophageal cancer with dignity and strength. David was a graduate of the University of Alberta and was a Certified Management Consultant. He had a great passion for his work as a management consultant, working especially in leadership development and mentoring many people during his long career. He carried on with this passion until the onset of his illness. The majority of David’s career was spent in Edmonton. He spent 20 years with Price Waterhouse Coopers and with Ernst & Young, prior to setting up his own company, D.R. Simmonds and Associates. David was a dynamic person, an avid follower of economic and geo-political news events, a former marathoner and long-distance cyclist and he was an active parish member at St. George’s Anglican Church, Victoria, as well as in the Diocese of British Columbia. He found great pleasure in giving of his time in various areas of the community. Special thanks to Drs. Luckhurst, and Dewar and the most compassionate and competent staff and volunteers at Victoria Hospice. Special gratitude to neighbours in Wedgewood Estates, fellow parishioners at St. George’s Anglican Church and many supportive friends throughout the Dioceses of British Columbia and Calgary.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. George’s Anglican Church, 3909 St. Georges Lane, Victoria, on Friday, July 15, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., The Rev. Dr. Richard Lesueur officiating. David asked that memorial tributes be made to the charity of your choice or to the Victoria Rainbow Kitchen Society ( 310 Henry Street, Victoria V9A 3J2) where he and Carmen volunteered to feed the hungry. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
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Carmen Simmonds
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Dar Schwanbeck Hi All,
In Dave’s memory a wee celebration has been called. Please join us at the Rose & Crown (Oxford Tower), Edmonton on August 3rd, commencing at 4:00pm.
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Norm aaand Vicki Cottee We have known Dave and family since the mid 1960’s ,and to our regret lost close contact after he left Edmonton. Needless to say, we are shocked and saddened that his energy and enthusiasm are now only a memory.
Dave and I worked as close colleagues helping shape major private and public organizations, and he earned the respect of all he met.
Our families got to socialize , in both Edmonton and Winnipeg, and it was a great joy to watch Greg and Keith grow up with strong family values.
Our sincere condolences go to all the family, and we are comforted to know that he has been welcomed with loving arms in a better ploace.
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Sunny Marche This is a very sad day for me having just learned of David’s passing. David was a very important part of the team at Currie Coopers and Lybrand, and an influential leader among a group of people each of whom was a leader in his own right.
David had a very strong professional presence in everything he did. But he also communicated some very specific lessons, lessons which have stuck with me for decades. These lessons have passed from him through me to hundreds and hundreds of graduate students, most of whom have a limited understanding of how David Simmonds, consulant extraordinaire, has shaped their lives.
But shape them he has. His influence will continue to resonate down the years, in countless ways.
They say you can’t tell where a ripple might get to when you drop a pebble into a lake. David was not a pebble; he was a boulder.
Sunny Marche
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John Zaplatynsky I would like to pass on my condolences to Dave’s family. I have many fond memories of working for and with Dave when I started my career with Eaton’s in Winnipeg in the early 1970’s. Dave was one of my first mentors and I learned a great deal from his work ethic, enthusiasm, and joy for life. I know he is missed by all.
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John and Bunny Ferguson Our deepest condolence to Carmen, Ellen May and their families.
Dave and I have been good friends beginning in high school, through university and over our business careers. You could always count on Dave as a rock solid friend.
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Dar Schwanbeck I first met Dave in 1975 at the Kinsmen Fieldhouse in Edmonton. His locker was next to mine and my introduction to running shoes was just starting. Over the next 30 years Dave and I would share thousands of miles on a variety of roads and trails, enjoy many road races and relays, and always a pint or two with friends. In 1979 Dave invited me to consider a career in Management Consulting with Currie, Coopers and Lybrand. I joined in July of that year and my professional association with Dave continued for over 25 years. He was an incredible mentor, an inspiration and since he had some consulting seniority on me, he had no problem reminding me that he had first dibs on the hanger on the back of the office door we shared. One of the first guiding principles he shared with me was that “it takes uninterrupted blocks of time in order to get things done.” I also recall the first desk top computer that Dave got – he couldn’t get the floopy disk out and had to call the repair guy when he got a paper clip (disk removal aid) stuck in the disk slot.
I’ll miss you buddy. Condolences to Carmen, Ellen Mae, Greg & Keith.
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John McGowan Simmonds family: It truly comes as a shock to hear David is no longer with us. David helped AUMA and myself so much throughout the years. His expertise, his style, his mannerism, his professionalism cannot be matched! I so enjoyed working with David. He is going to be missed.
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Donna Ross & Peter Szmidt I remember Dave well… and was so saddened and shocked to read his obituary in the Globe and Mail. It has been many, many years since I have seen him… having moved away from Edmonton in 1985.
Dave and I spent many hours and miles running together in Edmonton as part of several running groups. His sense of humour seemed to make the miles a little easier…. but never shortened them!
I recall one 15 KM race at the U of Alberta…. we ran it together and just as the finish line came into sight, he said ‘let’s pass that woman in front of us’. That was it… off we sped to a best time! Dave had that way about him… he made even the sprint at the end of the race, fun.`We send Dave’s family our deepest sympathy.
Donna Ross & Peter Szmidt
Elora, Ontario
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Sari Sikstrom David
You are a symbol of strength and integrity in my life collage.
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Allen Snart A Note to David R. Simmonds:
Every so often, in the course of one’s life, a person enters and fills a space that we did not even know existed. David was such a person for me. When we first met at Currie, Coopers & Lybrand he was my coach, mentor and, ultimately, my friend. We worked together, ran together (mostly, I ran to catch up) and often laughed together.This caring and friendly man with his boundless energy, his love of life, his sense of humour, his sense of purpose, and his matter of fact confidence in himself and the goodness of people was an inspiration. I and many people I know who knew David, when we heard of his passing remarked — “he touched my life” — and each told their own story with their own special “Davidism”.
When my father died, he remarked, “memories allow us to smell the roses in December”; and he was right — the memories live well beyond our time on earth.
David, you were a special person and the words of William Wordsworth say it better than I can: “thy memory be as a dwelling-place for all sweet sounds and harmonies” (Tintern Abbey).
Myrna and I extend our thoughts and prayers to all who knew and were close to David; cherish the memories.
Thanx for being my friend, David.
Allen
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George Fisk and Gina Happich-Fisk Dear Carmen:
Gina and I were devastated to hear of David’s passing. He was so strong, athletic and vibrant, and it is shocking that he would be taken in such an untimely fashion. We grieve with you and David’s family over your loss.
We did not realize that David was born in Almonte and grew up in Pakenham. We know both places well, as they often formed our destinations when doing country drives from Ottawa. I have always thought of Pakenham as the perfect rural Ontario setting, with a sense of peace and permanence extending outward from the stone bridge into the quiet community. David will rest well there.
We think of David as we knew him – enthusiastic, outspoken and active in his chosen community. You have lost much, but you and all those who knew him have gained much from the time he shared with us.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
George and Gina
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Dawn Nicolson Dear Carmen: I wanted to send my sincere condolences to you and your family. I am praying for you all at this difficult time. Please remember that your friends at Wedgewood are “standing strong” beside and behind you, and that God holds not only David but all of you in the palm of His hand.
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Laura O'Neill Carmen, Just want you to know that you and the rest of the family are in my thoughts during this time of sorrow and loss. I am keeping you in my prayers and continue to pray for comfort and strength for you.
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Michel and Marie Lapointe and family Please accept our most sincere sympathies at this difficult time. I hope that the wonderful memories give you comfort along with the knowledge that your Dad/Father-in-law, is riding with the biggest and best peloton. I am sure he will be looking down on you as you ride, and hope this will bring a smile when you are feeling blue.
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Gail and Terry Libera We are saddened by your loss and want you to know that we are thinking of you and your family. Our Wedgewood community will sorely miss David too.
Love Gail and Terry Libera
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Paul Johnston Dear Carmen and Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences on David’s passing. We worked together at Ernst & Young consulting. He always had a positive impact on peolple who came in contact with him. His professionalism ranged from the ability to paint the big picture to paying attention to the details. He instilled in all his colleagues the attitude to “do it right the first time” – a true professional and a gentleman. David will be missed by all, including his consulting colleagues.
Paul Johnston, Calgary
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Jennifer Carmen, please know that you and the rest of the family are being upheld in prayer by friends both near and far.
Solem/Cline family, Calgary
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Leigh and Marnie Bradfield Dear Carmen,
Please accept our condolences.We have been thinking of you and praying you you and David would feel God’s strengthing during this long journey and time of grief.
At the Rainbow Kitchen on Monday we gave thanks for David’s xontribution to the work there. We acknowledged his vitalityy, the energy and enthusiasm he put into his care for our community there . We prayed too that you, having given so much to others would, be deeply comforted at this time.
We will continue to pray for you, and are here to help and support you in any way that we can. It is indeed a deep and expansive loss for your families and for our community.
Our deepest sympathy.
Leigh and Marnie.
Our deepest sympathy.
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Alan Heyhurst I met David at the CFO Leadership Program in May 2010. This course had a tremendous impact on me as a person and in my work because of David. His leadership skill along with his ability to get the message out were incredible. We have all lost a tremendous man.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
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Rev. Bob Bettson Dear Carmen,
My sympathy to you and to both your families. I enjoyed meeting David in Calgary, and was sad to hear of his death. Coline and I are now in Huron Diocese, where I am priest at Canon Davis Memorial Church, Sarnia. Wishing you all the best during this difficult time,
Bob and Coline Bettson, Sarnia, Ontario
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Bruce Green My/our condolences are from the heart to your family! I was shocked and saddened to read of David’s passing. David and I first met at Syncrude where he helped me start my career in Human Resources back in 1976. We both worked as consultants at Ernst and Young- David in Edmonton and I in Calgary. So many smiles come to mind as I recall David working with Gary Cook, Oz Huebner, Keith Land, Ralph Meyers and many other fine professionals/consultants at Syncrude. Stories and experiences that could never be repeated. David was a great mentor to me personally and always had time to listen and make what often seemed to be a crisis into a challenge an opportunity to learn and grow. Regretfully we are unable to be in Victoria to celebrate a life well lived. Bruce and Betty Green
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Nick Parkinson Dear Greg and Keith & Family
Jodi and I are extremely saddened and shocked to learn of your tremendous loss. Please accept our deepest sympathies during this extremely difficult time.
I wasn’t sure how to connect with you after all these years and wanted to send along this quick note. I have spent much of the day thinking about all the good times we had growing up in Edmonton. I am not sure if you knew but my wife, Jodi had the opportunity to work with your dad at Ernst and Young here in Edmonton in the consulting practice.My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nick and Jodi Parkinson
St. Albert
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The Great Wolf Resorts Family Simmonds Family,
Please accept our deepest sympathies. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
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Darcy Elliott To Carmen and to David’s family
I have always believed that one of the most important measures of a man’s life is the impact he has on the people he encounters in the journey between life and death. I first met and worked with David almost 30 years ago where he set a standard for me in what it means to be a professional. He helped me to understand that a professional is not about what you know, but how you deal with people – he set an example that helped me strengthen my own integrity, honesty, respect, compassion, commitment. He had a major impact on my life at a very personal level. While our paths did not cross often in recent years, I always thought of him as a friend, and his passing will be deeply missed. Please accept my sincere condolences on the much deeper loss that I know you are feeling.
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Bill and Pat Cardwell, Sue and Chandler Heaven celebrated when David came home to eternity. May Gods love, peace and promises comfort you and your family, Carmen.
Gods peace be with you, Bill and Pat, Sue and Chandler
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Max King I was acquainted with David when I was a member of the Centre Club many years ago.
We only spoke casually and passingly, sometimes in a group in what was the “Muffin Club”.
Invariably, David impressed as a kind and gentle soul. He was always a gentleman in any conversations.
With respect, I offer my condolences to your family, as I do believe that the world is a sadder place with David’s passing.
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Joel and Kelly Bateson Simmonds family,
We are so sorry for your loss and we are thinking of you during this difficult time.
Much love,
Joel and Kelly Bateson
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Freda Voysey Dear Carmen:
Our hearts go out to you and your family in the loss of your beloved David. His was a battle bravely fought but we thank God that he is now beyond all pain and suffering, safe in the arms of the Lord and Saviour he loved and served so well. May you be upheld at this time by the strength of your faith and by many beautiful memories. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Your loving friends in Christ of the Retired Clergy & Spousus Fellowship.
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Bob and Marlene Wright We both send you our most heart felt condolences. At this difficult time may you, Carmen, and the rest of the family, find comfort in knowing that others share in your sorrows. May you take comfort in knowing that your loved one is in God’s care.and surrounded by His Eternal love and goodness. Our Deepest Sympathy.
He leadeth me beside the still waters,
He restoreth my soul.Psalm 23: 2,3
To all who have shared condolences through this site, and for over 200 cards which I have received, how can I thank you for your wonderful support! Truly David’s life touched many, and people constantly speak of his smile, his intellect, his interest in others, and his leadership abilities, amongst other attributes. David and I knew each other in high school. We remet in December, 2004 and were married June 11, 2005. Our time together was far too short; however, I give thanks for the special time we had. He has been a very sick man since January, and has worked his way through his illness with courage and dignity. Such a void has been left, but I cherish my happy times with him. Thank you for your words of condolence. I hope you will smile when you remember David.
Carmen