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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
David
You are a symbol of strength and integrity in my life collage.