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David Jon THOMSON

1939 - 2020

David Jon THOMSON obituary, 1939-2020, Toronto, ON

BORN

1939

DIED

2020

David THOMSON Obituary

DAVID JON THOMSON October 18, 1939 - February 13, 2020 David Jon Thomson, of Toronto, passed away on February 13, 2020 at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. He was 80 years old. David had overcome serious health issues for which he had been hospitalized in the fall. He had recently returned to his vibrant and active self when an unexpected heart issue ended his life. David was born in Medicine Hat, AB in 1939, the son of Wilfrid Laurier Thomson and Helga Thomson (née Bergman). David was the oldest of four children; brother to Louise, Kay, and Leora. The Thomson family lived in Redcliff, AB during his youth. David attended Medicine Hat High School, and in the summers he worked with his father Wilf at the Dominion Glass factory in Redcliff. With both parents urging him to invest in his education, David excelled at high school, attended University of Alberta and then University of Western Ontario, where he received his MBA in 1963, as part of a class of 106 men who are "considered to comprise one of the smartest and luckiest cohorts ever to attend a major Canadian business school." (Globe and Mail, 2003) David married Diane Beverley Gillies of Buckingham, QC after a short courtship in 1964. From 1967 to 1972, David worked on the campaigns of Pierre Trudeau and served as an aide and advisor in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). While living in Ottawa, the couple had two daughters: Kristin, born in 1967 and Gillian, born in 1970. David shifted into commercial real estate in the 1970s, and the family moved to Edmonton, AB. His career with Oxford Properties led to additional moves, with the family residing in Calgary, Edmonton, Minneapolis and Denver. After managing a US portfolio of commercial mortgages for Great-West Life Assurance Co. in the late 1990s while living in Denver, David "retired" and he and Diane moved back to Toronto, happy to be close to friends that stretched back to his time at Western. David was an exceptional athlete and never one for lounging. He played basketball for the University of Alberta. In the 1970s, he took up marathon running, completing several, one in under 3 hours. David became an avid cyclist in the 1990s and, in recent years, rowed 10,000 meters a day on a rowing machine. He preferred walking down Yonge Street to pick up the daily newspapers, and was a master navigator of the labyrinth tunnels under downtown Toronto. He served on a number of corporate boards, and was the long-time chair of their condo board. His eagerness to stay active was also reflected in the annual walking trips he planned with a close cadre of friends. Over the years, David, Diane and friends walked hundreds of miles along the Thames River path, across Scotland, along the El Camino in Spain, and through small towns and vineyards in Tuscany. David was always the one up front, in the yellow jacket, with the map. David was particularly humbled by his family's heritage. His mother's father, Jon Tryggvi Bergman, emigrated from Iceland in 1900, and quickly established himself as a builder in Medicine Hat. To David's amazement and pride, the handsome apartment buildings that Jon Tyrggvi built in the 1930s are still occupied today. His father's father, George Thomson, arrived in Canada from Scotland in the early 1900s, and worked in the mines near Lethbridge, AB. His father's mother, who lived nearby, was an important influence in his life, and David cherished his time with "Nanny," a no-nonsense, tea-totalling Scot who lived to the age of 95. During a trip to Iceland to celebrate David and Diane's 50th wedding anniversary, the Thomson family visited the sod hut in which Jon Tryggvi had been born, and in a more recent trip, the family traversed the Scottish lands where David's forefathers worked as miners for three generations. David was frugal with his own needs. He eschewed extravagance and flash, and was not interested in spending money on unnecessary objects. He conducted most of his business for decades with the same gold pen and a yellow legal pad, writing in his tidy block capital hand. He had only three suits. After finishing books, he gave them away. He never checked luggage. He didn't even save emails; he just deleted them. He was, however, generous with his family, particularly when it came to funding education. In recent years, David also organized family reunion trips that brought together his three sisters and their spouses, children and grandchildren, creating lifelong bonds within a family living across several continents. His daughters Kristin and Gillian have pledged to continue organizing these trips going forward. David was a loyal friend. His Sunday mornings typically involved an ordered sequence of phone calls to check in with friends in Victoria, or Medicine Hat, or Denver. Every five years, he organized the reunions of MBA classmates from Western to celebrate the milestones and preserve connections among far-flung peers. David often marveled at his luck. When he compared his life to that of his grandparents and parents - especially his father Wilf, who worked at the glass factory and became deaf at 32 - he often stated his life was so much easier than theirs. But he also realized that it was his parents' insistence on a college education had been the foundation for years of success. This was a principle David instilled in his own daughters. David was a loving son and brother, a devoted husband, a doting father, uncle and grandfather, and a loyal friend to many. David Jon Thomson is survived by his wife, Diane, his daughters, Kristin and Gillian, their husbands, Bryan Dilworth and Kent Johnson, and three grandsons: Riley Dilworth, Duncan Johnson and Graham Johnson. The family will honor David's memory with a private gathering. A celebration of David's life will be held in Toronto in June 2020. In lieu of flowers, the family will be establishing an education scholarship in David's name, with details to follow. Condolences may be shared at [email protected]

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Globe and Mail from Feb. 17 to Feb. 21, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for David THOMSON

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16 Entries

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FLO-ELLE WATSON

October 1, 2020

I was sad when I heard of Dave's passing. He was such a wonderful boy, handsome, kind, athletic, smart, and part of our group. We all played basket ball. Such wonderful memories. My sympathies go out to his family. Flo-Elle (Craig) Watson

February 22, 2020

So sorry to hear of David's passing. My husband Jim and I were close friends of his parents in Medicine Hat AB. I know they were so proud of him and his family. He will be missed.

Patricia McDowell

Marlene (Stahl) Smith

February 22, 2020

Dear Diane & family,
Many of us crossed paths with David in very different ways on this life's all-too-short journey. For me, it was 1957, our grad year
at M.H.H.S. Dave was a brilliant student, Students' Union President, star of the
Mohawk's basketball team and all round very popular guy. Across the aisle in home room
sat this very shy, little country girl BUT
he took the time to include me every morning
in conversation. Sounds like, from others'
comments, this was the way he always was--
someone who cared about others. And it started
back then as a 17-yr old.
I found with the loss of my own loved one several months ago that the things I loved
to hear most were how he had affected others' lives. Thank you David for your positive
effect on my life. My very deep condolences to
you, Diane & your family.

Art and Mary Jane Crooks

February 20, 2020

Dear Diane and family,

Mary Jane and I were saddened to hear of Davis's passing. While our contacts after Western were sporadic, he was the spark plug who kept us in touch over many reunions. We enjoyed conversations over the years updating us on classmates, talking about Princeton lacrosse, real estate and many other subjects. He was such a vital and positive person. He will be greatly missed.

Art and Mary Jane Crooks

Bill Bailey

February 19, 2020

Over the course of one's time on this planet, you inevitably cross paths with a small number of people who end up having a major impact on shaping your life journey. For Karen & I, David was one of those unique individuals. He convinced us to take a giant leap of faith and move our young family from Winnipeg to Denver, for an exciting new opportunity that became known as GWL Properties. What a ride!!! I absorbed so much from David that I wouldn't even know where to begin. We will never forget the indelible mark he left on our lives. Our deepest condolences to Diane and family.

A rising tide lifts all boats

Bill & Karen Bailey

Kevin Combs

February 19, 2020

I worked with David at GWL in Denver. I was the captain for our corporate MS bike team which rode 150 miles each year to raise money for the cause. David was our largest fund raiser and rode his bike each year even those his doctors did not want him to because of his hip injury (a car hit him on his bike a few years earlier). When David retired he gave me his vet nice bicycle when the promise that I continue to raise money for MS. I rode the MS 150 for many years thereafter in memory. I still have his bike 15 years later and think of him each time I ride it. Kevin Combs,I worked with David at GWL in Denver. I was the captain for our corporate MS bike team which rode 150 miles each year to raise money for the cause. David was our largest fund raiser and rode his bike each year even those his doctors did not want him to because of his hip injury (a car hit him on his bike a few years earlier). When David retired he gave me his vet nice bicycle when the promise that I continue to raise money for MS. I rode the MS 150 for many years thereafter in memory. I still have his bike 15 years later and think of him each time I ride it. Kevin Combs

Brian Laxdal

February 19, 2020

A great classmate and friend. I will miss him.

Gerry Berkhold

February 18, 2020

Dear Diane and Family,

Beverly and I are deeply saddened at your loss.
I had the privilege of knowing David for our entire lives.

David contributed annually and meaningfully to the Redcliff Scholarships for Advanced Education established in 2002, 33 Scholarships have been awarded to Redcliff students.

A recent quote which exemplified David be positive, plan your life, remember your roots.

Gerry Berkhold

Alan & Maureen Bowbyes

February 18, 2020

It was a privilege to get to know David over the past 15 years or so. He was a neighbour in our condo building. He was a such a positive upbeat person and it was always a delight to encounter him in the hallways, gym, or on the sidewalk in our neighbourhood. We would stop and share some thoughts of the day whenever we saw him. His enthusiasm and positivity were contagious. He did outstanding work as the leader of our building's board of directors. He was a true gentleman in every possible way. Our hearts go out to Diane and all of his family in this time of sorrow.

Jerry and Nancy Wallace

February 18, 2020

We are residents of 33 Delisle and are presently in Florida. We were very saddened to hear of the loss of David. Not only did David conduct the business of the condo association with his expert professionalism but it is the chance meetings in the workout room, in the lobby or on the street that we will especially miss.
Davids relating of his travels, his amazing trekking and most recently of the gathering of his family for Christmas were always shared with such enthusiasm. Davids zest for life was uplifting and inspirational. He will be missed.

Telmor Sartison

February 17, 2020

I'm saddened by news of David's passing after overcoming the problem of ill health that I heard of from our mutual friend, Ron Dooley. David and I took piano lessons back in the early fifties from the same teacher and became part of a music club for that group of students. At that stage in our lives I was old enough to have a driver's license and access to my father's car. I often gave David a ride after a late evening event in school or otherwise to the bottom of the Redcliff hill on the western outskirts of Medicine Hat. From there he would hitch a ride to Redcliff and home no matter what the hour. David - a great young friend who I never really got to know in our adult worlds. May Diane and family know grace and strength of the journey now somewhat changed. +Telmor Sartison

Sue Henderson

February 17, 2020

Dear Diane and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I have enjoyed working with David for two years and he has been very inspiring, kind and compassionate; a tireless and true leader. My deepest condolences.

Rolf Abt

February 17, 2020

A great person.
A true gentleman.
And warmest memories of my privilege to have worked with David during "The Great-West days" in Denver.
My sincerest condolences to Diane and his family.

David Appel

February 17, 2020

David was the best of men:intelligent, sensitive, and caring. He was always friendly and humble. Any task or responsibility he assumed, he carried out with diligence and success. I am grateful for having known him.

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