David Thomas Colling

It is with sadness that we share the passing of David Thomas Colling, who died peacefully in his sleep at Hospice Wellington in Guelph on April 14, 2025 at the age of 76. On April 3, 2025 Dave suffered a massive stroke (his 8th) that landed him in Hamilton General Neuro-ICU where he was cared for by an incredible neurological team. After removing the breathing tube, he was able to breathe on his own but the stroke left him paralyzed on his right side, being able to communicate only with his eyes and left arm.

Dave is predeceased by his loving mother Helen Bernice (Millar) and Ross Darby Colling. He is the former husband of Glenna (Green) of Guelph.

Dave’s legacy will live on in his children, Sarah (Dave Thatcher) of Huntsville and Adam (Amy Henderson) of San Diego and his five wonderful grandchildren, Autumn, Gray, Carsen, Zoey and Simone. During his final days, Sarah, Adam and Autumn were with him in hospital sharing memories and holding his hand.

Dave was a “medical miracle” being born with a rare congenital heart condition, Tetrology of Fallot, and underwent five open heart surgeries in his lifetime and as a result suffered many strokes which impacted him physically and cognitively. Growing up on a family farm was challenging for Dave as his body could not keep up with farm life and he was prone to accidents. During his youth he developed a deep love for horses that led him to pursue his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Science at the University of Guelph from 1968 to 1977, followed by a distinguished career in equine genetics. During his profession he was renowned in his field, inventing a DNA sequencer along with new methods for collecting, testing and mapping equine DNA across North America and the Caribbean.

Over the past few decades, Dave has made many connections with wonderful people in the community, visiting many of Guelph’s coffee shops, sharing life with the men in the Mavericks group and attending Lakeside Church.

Friends and relatives will be received for a celebration of Dave’s life on Saturday, June 28 from 10:30 am to1 pm at Lowville United Church in Lowville, Ontario followed by burial at the Colling Family Cemetery in Lowville. Lunch will be served at the church. Please use the following link for directions to the church.

https://www.lowvilleunitedchurch.ca/contact

In Dave’s memory, donations can be made to Food4Kids Muskoka (a charity that Sarah started to address food insecurity in Muskoka) https://www.food4kidsmuskoka.ca/ or to Camp Oki which is Canada’s first camp dedicated to kids with congenital heart disease https://www.campoki.ca/donate

Condolences may be left online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson-hart.com