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David Mason Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Charles Mason, 46, on March 29th, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from ulcerative colitis. David is survived by and will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Hatice, son Anton, father Robert Mason, mother Jan (Foster) Mason, brother James, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives in Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Istanbul. An accomplished athlete, academic, teacher, and world traveller, David shared more with this world than his years would suggest. The mark he left on many hearts will last for years to come.
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Memories and Condolences
for David Mason
43 Entries
Shamma
September 21, 2021
I was so saddened to hear the news of Dr. Mason’s passing away. I was a student in one of the first classes he taught in ZU and he soon became one of my favorite professors. I was honored to take 2 of his classes. An absolute beautiful, smart and funny soul. You are missed Dr. Mason
Greg
October 5, 2019
I am so saddened to hear of this news. I worked alongside Dave as lifeguards for the City of Thunder Bay. Back in the day he had this tough exterior but was so intelligent, kind, and funny, with a great smile. No brilliance to share other than to say I really liked him and won't forget him.
My condolences to the family.
Jim Buie
March 25, 2019
I think about David often. I audited his Ottoman/Turkish history and culture course in the summer of 2016 at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. We both lived in Turkey and shared a passion for trying to unravel the mystery of that country. I would love to talk to him now about Turkey, the UAE, and all that has happened in the last three years. He took such joy in his wife and son.
June 18, 2018
We miss David. He wanted to be a Dad so much and he was a great one.
Hatice and Anton
Jeanetty Jumah
July 28, 2017
Dear Jan
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your amazing son. Our hearts go out to you, your family, and David's family.
I will be at the Memorial Service in Thunder Bay. Much love.
Jeanetty, Kwasi, and Naana Jumah
Russell Tellier
May 27, 2017
I had the pleasure of working with David at McGill. He was a wonderful person and I will never forget him. Rest in peace, my friend. You will certainly be missed.
Lucie Seyhun
May 6, 2017
Rest in peace, David. Thank you so much for being a wonderful Turkish teacher during my time at McGill. You were always so positive, friendly, and enthusiastic. I am glad I was able to have you as a teacher. You left us too soon, and you will be missed. My thoughts are with your family.
April 29, 2017
April 29, 2017
April 21, 2017
Our deepest condolences to all your family and friends. Love from Freda Mason and family (Lorraine, Don, Allan, Peter) along with their spouses and children. May he rest in peace.
Sami Ahmad
April 15, 2017
I am so sorry to hear this, David was the teaching assistant in a couple of my classes at McGill. He was incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and positive and I also stayed in touch a little after graduating. I am very sorry for what his family must be going through, I wish to send my sincere condolences.
Meg Watson
April 11, 2017
Condolences to you, Jan, and your family. He sounds like an amazing person who everyone will miss.May your broken hearts be filled with Love.
Sincerely, Meg and Phil
I Will Love You Forever
April 11, 2017
David Bulla
April 10, 2017
David Mason was the one giant intellectual that I encountered during my six years as a professor at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi. When I talked to him about Turkey and the Ottoman Empire, it was like I was talking to a native Turk who had studied this key period in human history all his life. He came and gave a lecture in one of my reporting classes, and it was by far the most interesting hour in my six years in Abu Dhabi. Professionally, his death comes at the absolute worst time, for he was blossoming as a scholar and about to have his first book published--sometime this summer. I could only see more major publications down the road and eventaully appearances on the CBC,BBC, and NPR and being quoted in the New York Times and the Guardian as THE expert on Turkish history. David and I came in at the same time at ZU, and eventually formed a group of Four Davids (David Howarth and David Oldenkamp being the other two in the quartet). Once a semester, we would go out to eat and chat about our jobs, families, and the state of the world. David was passionate and always reasoned in his statements. He was the same way in class, and my students who also had him in his humanities and social science classes still talk about him all the time. All will remember his signature line after every class: "Are we happy?" All of us who were lucky enough to meet him and become friends with David will happily remember him, but we will never be happy about his untimely death. Condolences to Hatice.
Laila Parsons
April 8, 2017
I was so sad and shocked when I heard about David's passing. He was a great student and a valued member of the community at the Institute of Islamic Studies at McGill . He was also a kind person with a lovely warm smile and a great sense of humour. My deepest condolences to his family.
Mohammad Hannan Hassan
April 7, 2017
I'm still shocked by this devastating news. He is such a wonderful friend, full of energy and optimism. As I type these words I could remember him vividly at the Institute's library counter with a big smile. David, you are not missed. You will continue to be in our hearts. We, your brothers & sisters at McGill, love you.
Fachrizal Halim
April 7, 2017
I am deeply saddened by the news of David's passing. David was a hardworking and brilliant colleague when we took a seminar with Prof. Hallaq. David was my teammate working at the Islamic Studies library when Salwa Ferahian and the late Steve Millier were still at the Institute. Thanks to our wonderful colleague Rashed Chowdhury, the last time I met him was on Ibrahim's aqeeqa party. May our prayers help guide him on his journey to our Creator.
Brian MacDonald
April 7, 2017
My condolences to Bob and family.
Jean-Francois Gelinas
April 7, 2017
Sincere condolences to the family. David was a great team member in the invigilators' office at McGill and I keep good memories of the exams sessions past in his company.
Gregory Mack
April 5, 2017
My sincere condolences to David's family. As my colleague at McGill University, I was impressed by David's commitment to scholarship as well as his cheerful character. His good natured company will be truly missed.
Rashed Chowdhury
April 4, 2017
David was a great friend. I met him as a classmate in Prof. Turgay's class on socio-economic developments in the Muslim world at McGill. Later I took David's third-year Turkish class. He was such a talented teacher, and went beyond the curriculum to develop an interest in Turkish culture in his students. He and I exchanged family visits; Anton came to my son Ibrahim's naming party when they were both babies. My condolences to Hatice and Anton, and the rest of David's family. He will be missed, and may he rest in peace.
Our little Dubai Family
Jan Mason
April 4, 2017
April 4, 2017
May you be in light and peace, David Hatice and Anton, we are truly sorry for your loss and are here for you .. Love, Fadi & Sevhan
April 4, 2017
One of my first friends when I moved to Montreal in 2009. Your cool and calm demeanour, interest in the world and love for your family are all qualities of a great person. My you rest in peace, dear friend. And may Hatice and Anton have the strength to get through this difficult time.
Sean
Durham, NC/Montreal
April 4, 2017
Rest in Peace!
Heather Empey
April 4, 2017
Dear Family and Friends of David, please accept my deepest condolences on his untimely passing. I will always remember David as a kind, engaging and hardworking PhD colleague and friend at McGill. I was also in David's Turkish class and he was one of the most talented language instructors I have ever had. I will never forget his many cultural and linguistic anecdotes about Turkey. I was deeply saddened to learn David had passed away and wish you all, and especially Hatice and Anton, much strength during this difficult time. Kusura bakma, David, may you rest in peace.
Eliza Tasbihi
April 4, 2017
I offer my sincere condolences to David's family. He was a classmate and a former colleague at McGill University. He and his wife hosted me on a short trip I had to Istanbul in 2005. May he rest in peace!
Someone who cares
April 4, 2017
I'm sorry to read about your loved one's passing. Heartfelt condolences to the Wife, Son, Parents, Family and Friends....
L W
April 3, 2017
To the family and friends of David please accept my heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences may you find comfort during this most difficult . Psalms 18:2,6
Chris Krupa
April 2, 2017
Dave and I didn't stay in touch after spending a lot of time together in our early teens in Thunder Bay but I am looking now at a scar on my thumb left by Dave during some dumb kidding around incident. I also am pretty sure my last time trick or treating for Halloween was with Dave--we went out in his neighborhood when we were old enough for the people opening doors to say "aren't you guys a little old for this?". We dressed up as metalheads--ie didn't dress up at all. Interesting to see we both became academics. A toast to you, my old friend, and my deepest condolences to your family.
April 2, 2017
Dave was a pure soul. I worked with him as a lifeguard at Boulevard Lake in Thunder Bay. He was a deep and caring person. God blessed us with giving us a chance to enjoy and learn from Dave's companionship. He is in my prayers.
Kevin Schoepp
April 2, 2017
Our thoughts and prayers are with Hatice and Anton. You will be missed my friend.
Marlene Belbas
April 1, 2017
We remember David as a young boy he was a good friend with our sons. We are truly sorry to hear of his passing Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. The Belbas Familyki
Jim Buie
April 1, 2017
I audited David''s Ottoman history course at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi and was so impressed with his deep knowledge -- he had read more than 800 books on the subject -- yet he did not teach over the students' heads nor was he ever pedantic like some scholars. What a vibrant and entertaining personality he demonstrated in the classroom. Many students waited after class to continue speaking, engaging and debating with him. He will always remain an inspiration.
Noor & Tarik Tadmori
April 1, 2017
Our dear neighbor, colleague, and friend.. You have gone way too soon and will be missed greatly..
Carole Cliff
March 31, 2017
My prayers go out to you Jan and your family for this overwhelming loss.
Fan P.
March 31, 2017
To the family and friends of David : Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Randy Tsubouchi
March 31, 2017
Mace:
I can't believe you are gone, it is way to soon for a great guy like you to leave us all this soon. Our gang has so many great memories of us all hanging out together. Some day we will all meet again and sit around and laugh about times past. My deepest condolences to you and your family at this tough time. You are an amazing friend who I will cherish my memories for ever. love you man
Randy
March 31, 2017
Mace you left us way to soon, our crew will all have found memories of our time together and we will all meet again one day and sit around and hug and laugh about times past. Hurts to think you are gone and still can't believe it. My deepest condolences to your mom and brother and family at this tough time. love you and miss you man, until we meet again
Randy
Alison Sokoloski
March 31, 2017
My sincerest condolences and prayers go out to David's family. He was a wonderful person and my memories of working with him in aquatics are unforgettable. From his spunkiness on the deck to listening to his crazy tunes of music, to our discussions of hockey and Bob Probert he made every day of guarding an enjoyable one. Your memories will go on forever in our hearts. God bless your family at this time with strength and love. Alison Sokoloski
Lea Boyd
March 31, 2017
Sending our love and sympathy to Dave's family and friends. We are incredibly saddened by your loss of such a great guy -- he was definitely surrounded by love and laughs.
Jeff Aubry
March 31, 2017
Dave, you have left us way too soon. I take comfort knowing that I will see you on the other side my friend.
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