David S. REID

1934 - 2021

DAVID S. REID It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the great Canadian David S. Reid on June 8, 2021, at the age of 87. He passed peacefully at home in Nanaimo with his wife, Donna, sons Kent and Darren, daughter-in-law Melanie Reid and granddaughter Aly Reid. David Sidney Reid was born in Toronto, Ontario, January 11, 1934, where he grew up with his sister, Gloria (Bell); mother, Grace; and father, Percy. During his upbringing in the Coxwell - Danforth area of Toronto, David strived for the best in Academics, Athletics and the Arts. He was a straight 'A' student at Earl Beatty elementary school and carried the Academic success through his years and after graduating from Riverdale Collegiate he earned a coveted spot at the University of Toronto's Engineering program. After winning the MTHL Bantam championship with the Rhodes Athletic Club, the Provincial Junior B Championship with the Weston Dukes, the TSSAA basketball championship with Riverdale Collegiate and batting over .400 in the Greater Toronto Senior Baseball League, David starred with the Toronto Marlboros as the first line centre with wingers Wally Maxwell and Bob Pulford and had an outstanding Memorial Cup final. Throughout his years at Riverdale Collegiate, David also played tuba in the orchestra as well as the stand up bass in the dance band playing venues on the Danforth, Toronto's Massey Hall and Dunn's Pavillion, later named the the Kee to Bala. After high school David simultaneously signed as a centreman with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the young age of 21 while an engineering student at the University of Toronto. It was at Maple Leaf Gardens that he would meet Donna Dean Falconer, fall in love, star their family and have an amazing marriage travelling the world together over the course of their 63 years together. He was the first NHL hockey player to successfully graduate at the university level and helped many retired NHLers graduate after their playing careers were over. David S. Reid, the first President of Eddie Bauer Canada, had an illustrious business career. Among his many achievements, David spearheaded the marketing team of Christie Biscuits chocolate chip cookie launch - Chips Ahoy, was executive Vice-President of renowned outerwear and outergear manufacturer S.E. Woods, and was President of Anin Flag, which manufactured and supplied the Canadian Flags for Expo '67 and the Canadian National Exhibition during Canada's Centennial year. Perhaps his greatest business accomplishment is reserved for the partnership he forged with World Cup and Olympic Champion Nancy Greene when they launched David S. Reid and Nancy Greene skiwear and were Canada's official supplier to Canada's National Ski Teams. The skiwear has been worn by the famous, the practical, the savvy and astute as well as royalty from Great Britain, Sweden and Monaco. There are many David S. Reid jackets worn to this day and he transgressed boundaries to help countless new Canadians establish themselves and many to thrive in their own business while achieving the Canadian dream. He helped others and loved seeing them succeed. He is survived by his wife, Donna; children, Kent, Darren, and Graham; grandchildren, Christopher, David Dean, Michael, Eirin, Aly, and Owen; sister, Gloria Bell; daughters-in-law Melanie, Anne, and an enormous extended family throughout Canada. He was predeceased by his Father Percival ("Pucker") Cleverton Herbert Reid, Mother Thelma Grace Haskell Reid and brother-in-law, Dr. James Stuart Bell. David will be remembered for his generous, kind-hearted, and calm disposition. His boisterous laugh and heart-felt smile will be missed by everyone that had the pleasure of knowing him. We will forever cherish the beautiful moments with our Father, his wonderful childhood memories, and laughter-filled conversation throughout adulthood. We could have had him in our lives for a million years and we would have wanted one more year. And one more after that forever and ever. He is what it means to be a great Canadian, and he always won the puck. There will never be another David S. Reid.