Peacefully, in his 93rd year, David Reich passed away at home with his family by his side on Saturday June 6, 2020. Son of the late Harry and Jennie Reich. Survived by his brother Lionel Reich, and children Jonathan (Kathy Freeman), Dahlia (Ian Gillespie), Paul (Paula Groulx), Errol (Patricia Weisz), Ingrid (David Dannenbaum) and Jenny (Adam Nagler). David was a very proud Zaidi to 15 grandchildren – Alex, Noah, Truman and Madeleine Reich; Jonas, Graeme and Gabrielle Gillespie; Sabrina and Rachel Kovitch; Joshua, Eli, Gabby and Jamie Dannenbaum; and Lucy and Andrew Nagler. He will also be dearly missed by the lovely Miriam Roland, a friend, companion, guide and inspiration, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins, and countless lifelong friends whom he cherished.
A brilliant mind, David built his life upon the advice he doled out to his children and grandchildren: Discover what you love, then work to be the best at it. He was a masterful and respected architect, engineer, teacher, inventor, arbitrator, entrepreneur, artist and author.
Ever the learner, he took writing, art, woodworking and math classes well into his late 80s. But nothing gave him more pleasure than holding court as a storyteller, and, ever the inveterate punster, eliciting laughter and groans from one and all.
He was curious, gentle, pragmatic, irreverent, and soft spoken. And he spoke a lot. He delighted in food (mostly deli meat), travel, and striking up conversations with strangers.
David left a broad legacy, from buildings he designed across Canada and around the world, to hundreds of stories (both fantastical and real life), to the tremendous sense of humour and moral compass he instilled in his children and grandchildren.
The family is forever grateful to David’s devoted care providers who became his dear friends - Wahid Mohammed, Richard Clarke and Olga Manjarres.
In honour of David, please consider donating to the Cummings Centre for Seniors Foundation in Montreal, the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal, or Beit Halochem Canada, which provides aid to disabled Israeli veterans.
For information about a virtual celebration of life, please send an email to [email protected]
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