David Stevenson Somerville

DAVID STEVENSON SOMERVILLE David Stevenson Somerville's story started June 27, 1928 as the second son of David Wilmot and Marjorie Ann Thomson and younger brother of John (Jean); he was the first baby born in the original Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston. His childhood days in Alliston included normal boyhood activities in a small town community - Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn-type antics as well as the odd tour in the "liberated" family car. After completing school at Pickering College, Dave ventured to the big city of Toronto where he was employed by General Steel Wares in the Production Department for a couple of years. After this brief stint of working in Toronto, Dave moved north to Kearney, ON to join the family lumber business. His focus changed from lumber to Christmas trees and a move back to Alliston in 1960; this business grew into the current Somerville Nurseries Inc. During his tenure at Pickering College, he met his lifelong sweetheart Shirley King (1928-2009). Their marriage in 1949 led to the beginning of their four-child family: Chuck (Ann), Dan (Adele), Cheryl Jiiva (John) and Richard (Lei). The family grew to now include seven grandchildren: Jason (Kayla), Kelly (Ken), Joni (Andrew), David, Stephanie, Aaron, Austin and three great-grandchildren: Ariah, Allie and Reena. An honourable man, Dave gave freely of himself to community service, in particular to Rotary International where he earned the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award. His was an adventurous spirit, enjoying over his lifetime such activities as a cross-country motorcycle trip to BC on his beloved Harley; canoeing in Algonquin Park; managing his pheasant hunt club; camping with his family; snowmobiling with family and friends; and first, last and always, wintering and golfing in Florida. Dave/Dad/Grampa - a fun-loving, direct man of his word, he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Passed away October 25, 2011. Visitation Thursday, October 27, 2011 (4:00 to 8:00 p.m.), Thomas Funeral Home, 244 Victoria Street East, Alliston ON. Funeral: October 28, 2011 (11:00 a.m.) at St. John's United Church, 56 Victoria Street East, Alliston, ON. Donations: Heart & Stroke Foundation; Rotary International. www.thomasfuneralhome.ca