Dr. David L. Common

OBITUARY DR. DAVID L. COMMON It is with sadness and love that the family of Dr. David L. Common announce his passing on December 7, 2010 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Toronto. David was born June 23, 1926 the youngest of Frank and Ruth Commons four children, and grew up on Edgehill Road in Westmount with siblings Frank Jr., Doris (Munro) and Annette Wallace). David attended Trinity College School, the Royal Canadian Naval Academy and McGill University. He was a solid student and fine athlete, winning the Canadian Heavyweight Boxing Championship. Despite great admiration and affection for his parents and siblings, he left a comfortable life in Montreal to pursue ideas and dreams. First stop was to earn a Bachelor of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in New York City; David's lectures with Coffin, Neibhur, Stein and Van Dusen helped shape his personal philosophy and humanity. David welcomed the chance to be a counselor at a storefront church on 125th Street which was always a fond memory. New York City was also good to David since it was there that he met Laura Stanley, a pretty and intellectual American then attending Barnard College. They married in 1950 and moved to London two years later, where residual post-war recovery and a new national healthcare system held great allure for David. He attended London College and interned at Westminster Hospital, going on to become a general practitioner. In that capacity he treated health problems of all sorts, had his share of proud moments and regrets and was greatly enthused by prenatal care and delivering babies. The City Temple became David's spiritual home and when asked by Rev. Leslie Weatherhead to create a needs-blind counseling service he jumped at the chance. David's London years were filled with joy; he and Laura were blessed with three boys in seven years. In 1970 the family moved to Canada to be closer to David and Laura's families. Health and other setbacks made the 1970's years of tumult. However, in 1981 David remarried, to Sophie Jasinski, and was warmly welcomed by her family. Stalwart friendship from Robert Dunton, Urmas Suits and nephew Donny Munro provided David with unusual consistency and strength. In the 1980s and 1990s David worked at a slower pace, mostly back in England, and travelled extensively, while this last decade presented more frequent health challenges. David was almost always enthusiastic and personable despite his own circumstances, retaining his zest for learning. Periodicals, books and lectures on audio tape covered his desk and shelves. David was predeceased by his older siblings Frank Jr., Annette (Wallace), and Doris (Munro) and his son Stanley. He is survived by his sons David and Paul, granddaughters Miho and Celine, and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the staff of The Westbury in Etobicoke and St. Joseph's Hospital in Toronto for their compassionate care of a former healthcare professional who, during his time, cared for so many himself.