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David Farris Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Feb. 17 to Feb. 18, 2011.

FARRIS, David Suddenly on February 15, 2011 David Wilson Farris of Ottawa, in his 56th year. David was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Duncan and Pauline Farris, his elder sister, Marg Campbell, and his niece Jennifer. Beloved brother and brother-in-law of Arch Campbell of Ottawa, Robert and Betty Farris of North Bay and Anne and David Church of Hamilton. Loving uncle to Sara and Paul, Peter, Laura and Jay, Dave and Jenn, Katherine and Reuben, and Andrew. Great-uncle of Alex, Maya, Kaydence and Benjamin. Dear nephew of Charlotte Farris and Rev. James Farris. A Librarian at Library and Archives Canada since 1980, David was Editor of Canadian Subject Headings. He was a long-time and faithful member, chorister and elder of St. Andrew's Church and very active in Toastmasters for many years. Visitation at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod, Ottawa, on Friday, February 18, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. A service honouring David's life will take place at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wellington at Kent, Ottawa, on Saturday, February 19 at 1:30 p.m. Reception to follow. (Ample parking behind Supreme Court.) Cremation, with interment in Sparta, Ontario, in the spring. Memorial gifts to St. Andrew's, 82 Kent Street, Ottawa, K1P 5N9, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation gratefully acknowledged.

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55 Entries

May 29, 2011

Robin Main

Thank you for making this site available. It was utter shock to hear of David's passing. David was a sincere, nice guy. I met David in 1989 during a course at Algonquin, a group of us continued to meet throughout the years thereafter. David, we know you are somewhere better, you are in our thoughts. Thank you for sharing your life with us while you were here.

May 24, 2011

Glenn Dondale

As part of the 'encouragement' night course group, I too am very saddened to learn today of David's passing. We met as friends for many years, and although we sometimes went a few months without communication we always enjoyed getting together and shared a bond for life. David, you will be missed, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

May 24, 2011

Rick Edington

I'm very sorry to learn of David's passing. He was considerate and kind and will be greatly missed. He was part of our small group that has met on and off for over 25 years. We'll miss him.

May 24, 2011

Linda Macpherson

To all of Davids family,
My deepest and most sincere condolence on David's passing. I have known David since 1985 when I took a night course at Algonquin College. He was one of our Tuesday nite crew and he'll be greatly missed at our Pizza nights at the Colonnde. I will always remember his humour, kindness, and gentle ways. He was a pleasure to know and his friendship will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

February 22, 2011

Wanda Gareau

To all David family and friends,
My sincerest sympathies. David will be greatly missed at Library and Archives Canada, not just for all the great work he did, but for his kind heartedness, his willingness to always lend a hand, his friendship and constant good humour.

February 21, 2011

There are no words to express the sadness I feel having learned of David's untimely passing. We chatted before he left work Friday night, February 11th, not knowing it was going to be our last conversation! David was dedicated to his family, his friends and his work. He was a good person and a very knowledgeable work colleague. He will be sorely missed!
Francine Poirier, LAC-BAC, Gatineau

February 21, 2011

Dale Blake

I celebrate a life so well lived. I will miss David as a great working colleague and a friend. May the Great Spirit walk with you, David, and with your family and friends.

February 21, 2011

Chris Kitzan

I had the good fortune to get to know David a little in our French classes. He struck me as a kind and gentle man. I was very sorry to hear off his passing. My sincere condolences to his family.

February 20, 2011

Dear Anne,Rob,Arch and families,
We are so saddened to hear of David's untimely death. As close family friends, we have known David to be a cheerful, always smiling and gentle person since his youth growing up in Galt. He will be remembered for his dedication to his family and his profession.
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
"Good people will be remebered as a blessing."
Pat and Bob Duxbury, Burlington, ON.

February 19, 2011

Such shocking news at such a young age. I have fond memories of David working next to him for many years at the National Library. A true very generous friend and colleague who will be truly missed by all who had the pleasure to know him. Sincere condolences to the families.

Huguette Sauve, retiree from National Library

February 19, 2011

Mary P

I knew David from St. Andrews Church. A really nice caring man and always ready to help. He will be missed.

February 18, 2011

Jane Thacker

Posted by Jane Thacker

February 18, 2011

Jane Thacker

David was a good person, a knowledgeable and generous colleague, a dedicated professional, and an expert in his field. It is difficult to imagine work without him. My deepest sympathies to his family for this sudden and untimely loss. He will be missed by all of us.

February 18, 2011

Kathy Wallace

To the Farris family – my deepest condolences on the loss of David. He wouldn’t have remembered me but I knew the family way back when, in London when your Dad was working at New St. James and Anne and Dave Church and I were in Young Peoples and Westminster Club together. I was also very sorry to hear that Marg had lost her battle with cancer not so very long ago. You are in my thoughts at this sad time.

February 18, 2011

Dear Anne, David and Family,
Thinking of you all at this difficult time.....
We are truly sorry for your loss and wish to send you our deepest sympathy.
May God Bless.
Love,
Nancy and David O

February 18, 2011

Nina Milner

David and I were colleagues at Library and Archives Canada and were in the same French class for a period of time. I always appreciated his enthusiasm and his professionalism. His sudden death was a shock to all of his colleagues and he will be truly missed. My deepest sympathy to his family.
Nina Milner, Library and Archives Canada

February 18, 2011

Brian Ganness

To all of David's family and friend's , Please accept my sincere condolences . I had the pleasure of meeting David at Toastmasters ' and was saddened to hear of his passing .

February 18, 2011

Maryse Savard

So sorry! Mon collègue et ami David va tellement me manquer!!! Je suis certaine que je vais encore souvent penser à le consulter face un problème d'analyse documentaire, avant de me souvenir tristement qu'il n'est plus avec nous. Il était la personne ressource la plus importante pour moi au travail et un ami avec qui j'aimais beaucoup "jaser". Dire que je ne pourrai plus profiter de ses vastes connaissances, de son expertise, et surtout de sa grande gentillesse...! Une grande perte pour sa famille, ses amis et collègues, et pour BAC.

Maryse Savard, Bibliothèque et Archives Canada

February 18, 2011

Bruce Crisp

We are very very sad to hear of David's death. He was an excellent librarian and a very good person. We will miss him. Our deepest sympathy to the family.

Bruce Crisp and Mary Bond, Library and Archives Canada

February 18, 2011

Jim Robinson

I knew David well through Toastmasters. He was kind, honest, sincere, dedicated, hard working, warm and friendly. He was a great man and a good friend. I am grieving at his loss and will miss him.
My sincere condolences to his family.

February 17, 2011

Glenn Robertson

My heart felt condolences. I first met David through my wife, Anne, in his roll as a member of Editorial Policy Committee for the Dewey Decimal Classification. I enjoyed some very interesting and delightful conversations with David. Mate I will miss not seeing you at the EPC Meetings.

February 17, 2011

Desiree Hansen

I first met David when he asked to present his contest speech at the Ottawa Singles Toastmasters Club. He came and he joined the club. He was a very dependable member of the club, a true Toastmaster in many ways. His passing is quite unexpected and something of a shock, as I was planning on having him over to dinner! My condolences to his family. David will be missed.

February 17, 2011

Pat Gibson

I only knew David through Toastmasters, although we discovered several connections between us, including the fact that we were both librarians, by talking at Toastmasters evgents. David was a warm and friendly man, very sincere and committed to his work, his family, and his friends. I will miss talking with him at future Toastmasters event. My sincere condolences to his family at this difficult time.

February 17, 2011

Rebecca St.Pierre

Our thoughts and prayers to David's family at this difficult time. He will be greatly missed by his church family!
St. Pierre Family
(St. Andrew's Church, Ottawa)

February 17, 2011

Heather Schmidt

To the Farris family, my deepest condolences. David was a fine man. I always enjoyed hearing the stories of Sparta, his work and family. I will miss him. ~ Heather Schmidt - friend from St. Andrew's and NSJ

February 17, 2011

Linda Kennedy

Dear Anne and Dave
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you remember and grieve the loss of your brother.
Much love
Linda and Peter

February 17, 2011

ghislaine sabourin

Merci David pour ta constante bonne humeur. Tu n'as jamais lâché d'essayer de parler français. Tu y a réussi David.
Ghislaine ex-collègue

February 17, 2011

To all of David's family:
Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to you all. He was taken at a young age and he surely will be missed by his friends. We will keep you all in our prayers at this difficult time.
Love
Drew and Diane Isaac

February 17, 2011

Beverley Ann Chartrand

To Arch and the Farris Family,
I am just so gutted. Having known David since he arrived at the National Library and worked closely with him for many years I was stunned to hear the terrible news. Several of us have been talking to each other this week trying to come to grips with it. David's family figured very prominently in his life, but he also managed to fit many other people and activities into his busy days. My deepest sympathy to all of you at this sorrowful time.

February 17, 2011

Cheryl Gillard

Please accept my sincere condolences. I often talked with David during our daily commute to work. I always looked forward to our conversations. I will miss his intelligence and kind spirit.

February 17, 2011

Barbara Thibodeau

To the Farris family, my sincere condolences.
David and I shared many interesting conversations about subject headings over more than 25 years at National Library and Library and Archives Canada. He was a wealth of cataloguing knowledge and could always be counted on to help out and guide us through puzzling subject cataloguing problems. He was a dedicated professional and will be greatly missed.

February 17, 2011

Warren Lesway

To all of David's family , please except my deepest condolences . I knew David from Toastmasters and found him to be a terrific person . He will be missed .

February 17, 2011

Dear Rob and Betty,

We are greatly saddened by the news of David's death this week, and want to offer our heartfelt sympathy to you on the loss of your brother/b-in-law. It was always a pleasure to meet him at St. Andrew's and get updates on you and the family. We remember especially his visit to us when he was in Quebec City attending an international conference of librarians in 2008.
We are in Florida until March 1 and regret we will not be attending the service in David's memory. We will keep you and all his family in our prayers.

With our love,
Moira and Stephen Hayes

February 17, 2011

Mary Mastraccio

David will be missed in his position at the Library and Archives Canada where those of us who knew him professionally appreciated his helpfulness.--Mary Mastraccio, Librarian, San Antonio, Texas

February 17, 2011

Charlotte Luoma

It was a priviledge working with him at Library and Archives Canada. My sincere conolences to the family.

February 17, 2011

Anne Whitehurst

It was with great sadness that I learned of David's death. My sympathy and condolences go out to his family. I have known David for many years and respected his commitment to any project that he undertook. He will be missed by many people.

February 17, 2011

Anne Robertson

Please accept my condolences. I first met David when he joined the Editorial Policy Committee for the Dewey Decimal Classification in 2008, and greatly enjoyed working with him. He was not only a dedicated Librarian, but also a kind, sensitive and intelligent man. I will miss him very much.

February 17, 2011

Dawna Moore

Please accept my condolences.
David Farris will be remembered as a kind and intelligent person and a devoted librarian. It was a privilege to know him. Sincerely,

February 17, 2011

Paulette Dozois

To David's family and friends, I offer my deepest condolesences. I only got to know him after the National Library and National Archives merged. Each year we have a bake sale at Christmas to raise funds for needy families. David always baked and baked well. We shall miss him.

February 17, 2011

Tim Hutcheon

My sympathy to David's family and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting David through Toastmasters at Library and Archives Canada. He will be remembered as a good man and leader. He is in God's memory now and will live again.

February 17, 2011

Équipe du Répertoire de vedettes-matière

The members of the Universite Laval RVM team would like to offer sincere condolences to his family and friends.

We have have enjoyed a long and always pleasant working relationship with David, particularly in his role as editor of Canadian Subject Headings (CSH).

We will miss him and remember him with fond memories.

February 17, 2011

Candace Loewen

To the Farris Family,

I had the great privilege of working with David at Library and Archives Canada for a brief time. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

February 17, 2011

Josh Raizman

I knew David for two years at the Ottawa Hospital Toastmaster Club. As our president, he was a tremendous speaker, role model, and my mentor. I will always remember him for his generosity, patience, and kindness. Our club has truly lost a dedicated member and a seasoned veteran.

February 17, 2011

Brenda and Dave Dawson

David Farris was a good and kind friend. He was the epitome of honest, generous and never-ending warmth. We shall miss this dear friend.

February 17, 2011

Susan & Peter MacLaren

Having known David for 30 some years through the Iona Fellowship and his many involvements at St. Andrew's Church we came to appreciate his gentleness and his kind soul. We always enjoyed hearing him tell of his vacation travels and his plans for the next adventure. David will be greatly missed and always remembered. Our sincere sympathies to his extended family.

February 17, 2011

Shirley (MDPW Toastmasters) McKey

It is with sadness that I write these words. David was a fine and interesting man. I knew him through Toastmasters where he was a colleague and a friend. David's family is in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. He will be missed.

February 17, 2011

Cathy Dunn

To the Farris Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. Although I didn't work directly with David, from time to time would would meet at various functions at LAC and he would chat about the Toastmaster's Club or the Choir. Your family is in my thoughts.

Cathy Dunn
Retired LAC

February 17, 2011

Janice McFarlane

David and I both grew up in London and made Ottawa our home as adults. I have so many good memories of our friendship - Gracefield, bible study, music, food, marshmallows, talking about our Presbyterian upbringing, quiet chats over coffee. Thanks be to God.

February 17, 2011

Sue Dalati

David's boundless energy and infectious excitement for Toastmasters was a joy to behold. He was an invaluable contributor to the clubs and to the success of our District, and his presence will indeed be missed. I am presently in Portland Ore on Toastmasters business and thus will not be able to attend the tribute Saturday. My condolences to his family, and to the Toastmasters family who is mourning the loss of one of our own. He will truly be missed.

February 17, 2011

JR Blanchfield

A colleague, friend, and mentor. Prayers sent. All the best to the family.

February 17, 2011

Giles Martin

David was a member of the Dewey Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee, and I knew him through attending its meetings. He made valued contributions to the world of librarianship, including Canadian Subject Headings, and he will be greatly missed by his librarian colleagues.

Posted by Giles Martin

February 17, 2011

Anne Draper

What sad news. I worked in the same Branch as David for over 20 years at LAC. He was such a lovely fellow, always pleasant to work with. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

February 17, 2011

Nathalie Ebacher

I remember David as a nice, charming man, always smiling. He was also an extremely competent librarian. My deepest sympathies to his family and colleagues.

Nathalie, ex-colleague from LAC

February 17, 2011

A Friend and colleague of uniqueness in his own way. We well remember the kindness he displayed for everyone, whether it be in Toastmasters or life.
My heartfelt condolences to the family.

Pat and Bob Brousseau, Toastmasters District 61, Ottawa

February 17, 2011

Beverley (Toastmasters District 61) Miranda

A gentle man and a gentleman indeed David. You will be sorely missed. Toastmasters has lost a kindred spirit, a friend, and a mentor. My heartfelt condolences to the family.

Showing 1 - 55 of 55 results

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