John David MCMULLEN

John David McMullen, retired mechanical engineer, was a longtime resident of Ancaster. Dave passed away on August 30, 2024, after a 12 1/2-year struggle with multiple myeloma. Dave is survived by his wife, Erika (Wechsel) McMullen; sister Louise Percheson-Kagan; and sister, Mary McMullen (Ron Scott). He has many nieces and nephews who will all miss him dearly. He was predeceased by his parents, John A. McMullen and Frances (Tayler) McMullen. Dave was born in Edmonton, Alberta, on August 26, 1952. He graduated from University of Alberta 1976. He graduated from University of Western Ontario (Richard Ivey School of Business) with Distinction October 24, 2002. He worked for Ontario Hydro/Ontario Power Generation (1976-2013), where he was a highly regarded engineer and supervisor. Dave enjoyed many athletic activities throughout his life and travelled to more than 30 countries. Dave cared deeply for his family and many friends. He had a deep compassion to help others and was a dedicated and valued member on many volunteer committees related to multiple myeloma and other cancers. Dave was an outstanding patient advocate and representative with numerous organizations, including Myeloma Canada, where he devoted his time to spreading awareness and education of myeloma, advocating for patient representation and visibility, supporting others impacted by myeloma, and leading countless Multiple Myeloma Marches. Dave fully immersed himself in the Canadian myeloma community. For over a decade, he worked with numerous regional support groups in the GTA, many of which he helped to establish. Along with being a passionate support group leader and engaged committee member in over a half a dozen support groups, Dave was an active member in numerous Myeloma Canada advisory councils and committees. Dave's patient advocacy work also extended to many other national cancer and healthcare organizations including the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, The Canadian Myeloma Research Group, BioCanRx, and the Cancer Stakeholder Alliance Working Group. Dave received many prestigious awards for his extraordinary accomplishments and volunteerism, locally and nationally. He was very proud to have been awarded the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance Award for Exceptional Leadership in Patient Involvement in Cancer Research in November 2023. Dave also received the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award in 2022. Dave worked tirelessly to help others, and he leaves a void that will be hard to fill for many in the myeloma, cancer community, and loving family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Myeloma Canada (support.myeloma.ca/site/Donation2?idb=1823971313&df_id=2941&FR_ID=1700&mfc_pref=T&PROXY_ID=1141871&PROXY_TYPE=20&2941.donation=form1). Thank you. Condolences may be left at www.circleoflifecbc.com.