David Raymond

Dave passed away Monday, August 04, 2014, peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Dr. George and Violet Raymond welcomed David into the world in 1947 while living in Montreal. At the age of three Dave’s family moved to Brockville, Ontario, and were soon after, joined by his much-adored younger sister Rosalyn. Dave lived in Brockville until the late sixties, when he went off to college in Kingston, Ontario.

In October 1972 Dave married Trudy Scott of Elgin, Ontario. In August 1975 they welcomed their first child, Scott David and completed their family in September 1977 with the birth of their daughter Sarah Ann. Scott later married Becky Blair and they gave Dave the amazing honour of becoming a grandfather to Liam, Jude and Noah.

Not only was Dave a great father and grandfather but he was also a great uncle to several generations of nieces and nephews. Roz married Rainer MacGuire, and Dave was the very proud uncle to their children Emily (Andy), Daniel and Kathleen (Jeff) MacGuire. He was always the uncle who had time to play games, go fishing, play sports or generally just hang out.

Dave started out working in the banking sector with Scotia Bank and later the TD Bank. He eventually settled into a career with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). His career at CRA started in Penticton, B.C. and continued in Ottawa when the family moved home in 1986. During his 25 years with CRA Dave worked in Collections (something he didn’t advertise), GST (again not something he advertised) and was part of the project that developed ‘My Account’ that we all use when filing our Income Tax.

Dave loved many things but baseball was at the top of his list. He started out coaching several youth baseball teams. However, his true passion was found when, after some nudging from his friend Gary Sirois, Dave became a Little League umpire. Dave was a kind and fair umpire, and cherished moments when young players would meet him on the street and say, “Hi Blue”. Over 23 years he umpired hundreds of baseball games, and grew to become the Umpire-in-Chief for both the Canterbury Little League and South Ottawa Little League. Dave’s officiating career was highlighted by umpiring the Canadian championships on several occasions; however it reached a pinnacle when his name was added to the Little League Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.

Dave was a healthy, vibrant, humourous, and extremely talkative man. It was rare to be around Dave and not be listening to one of his jokes, stories, or trivia facts. Dave was the King of Trivia and had more facts stored in this brain than Cliff Claven! Dave also loved to fish and spent many, many hours with a fishing rod in his hand trying to catch the elusive ‘big one that got away’.

Dave was a phenomenal and extremely helpful neighbour. He was always willing to lend a hand, shovel a driveway, or mow a lawn – often unsolicited. When neighbours came home from work to find their garbage cans put away or their flower gardens weeded they always knew that Dave was around that day. He also loved animals and would walk neighbourhood dogs at any opportunity.

Dave struggled for 10 years with a very rare neurological disorder called Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). There is very little known about this disease and no known cure for it. It is left-brain centered and affects a person’s ability to understand both spoken and written word; eventually causing the person to become mute. A natural born talker, when Dave lost his ability to speak about three years ago, he became a prisoner in his own body. One can only imagine his frustration at not being able to communicate his needs or the frustration of others at not understanding what he was trying to say.

As his disease progressed, he had to give up many of his favourite things like umpiring, watching sports, eating, telling jokes and of course the occasional beer. But the one thing PPA could not take away was his welcoming soul and his ability to love and be loved unconditionally. At no time was this more evident than during his final year.

Dave spent the last year of his life in the Specialized Behavioural Support Unit (SBSU) housed at Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Facility (PDC). He was the second resident to be admitted to this brand new unit and one cannot imagine a better place for Dave to spend his final year. The residents and staff of the SBSU became Dave’s family and he loved them all. The care, respect and dignity shown to Dave over the last year were unprecedented. During the last week of his life it became painfully evident that Dave was much loved by his PDC family. The continuous stream of staff coming to him to say very heartfelt goodbyes was a humbling experience for his immediate family. It was astounding that although Dave could not say a word he developed very strong relationships with the staff. They saw the man behind the disease and it was beautiful for all to witness.

Dave is going to be deeply missed by Trudy, Scott & Becky, Sarah & Brad, grandsons Liam, Jude, Noah, Dave's sister Roz and her husband Rainer, and numerous nieces and nephews. As sad as it is, each one is relieved that Dave’s suffering is finally over. He is now once again free to do the things he loves and is either umpiring a game or fishing for the elusive 'big one,' and most definitely talking the ear off of everyone around him.

When asked what he had learned from Dave, a wise eight-year-old said, “Dave taught me that you don’t have to talk to be kind.” You left your mark Dave. We love you.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Specialized Behavioural Support Unit at Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Facility (7 Meridian Place, Ottawa, ON K2G 6P8) are appreciated.