David John Simpson

Born in Stoke-Newington, London, England, David was the first-born child of Catherine Louise Simpson (formerly Cantle) and John Austin Fisher Simpson (xylophonist Jack “British-Tunes” Simpson). His sister, Jackie, was born in 1936.

After serving in the Army from 1950-1952, David joined the Metropolitan Police from 1952-1957. During this time, he met his future wife when she lost her wallet and visited the police station to claim it. David married Joan Mary Green in 1957 in Edmonton, Middlesex; they immigrated to Vancouver, BC in 1966, and settled into an apartment on Barclay Street in the West End. David joined the RCMP in 1967. Their only child, Dawn Zoe, was born in 1970. In 1973, they moved to a house in Lynn Valley where they stayed until David’s retirement in 1992.

A private person, David was very caring towards those he loved. He always remembered birthdays, and would honour loved ones regularly with celebratory cards. He was a jazz music aficionado, listening to masters such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. David enjoyed old movies and musicals, along with comedians like Carol Burnett. His favourite Laurel & Hardy sketch, The Piano, made him chuckle heartily. David was a dedicated Jeopardy watcher. An avid reader for most of his life, he had a great love of language. A big dictionary resided beside his easy chair for many years; if David encountered an unfamiliar word, he would promptly look it up and enjoy utilizing it soon after.

David was quietly dedicated to family; his granddaughter Adaryn describes him as “demonstrating his love through action more than words.” David was Joan’s primary caregiver during her last months with cancer; she passed away at Lions Gate Palliative Care in April 2005, with David & Dawn Zoe beside her.

David’s younger sister, Jackie Waldron, passed away in November 2019, in North Devon.

Later in life, David developed Parkinson’s; his last year proved to be particularly challenging. He passed away at Lions Gate Hospital, with Dawn Zoe holding his hand.

David will always be loved and remembered, especially by his daughter Dawn Zoe, his grandchildren Kai and Adaryn, cousin Pat Clark, extended family Nona Remy and Zoe Remy-Saffen, and family friend Catherine Pickin.