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.
30 Responses
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.