Taken from us too soon following heart surgery from which he did not recover, Dave McGill passed peacefully in the presence of family at Newmarket’s Southlake Regional Health Centre. Son of the late Hugh and Barb McGill, Dave was born in Guelph and raised in Toronto alongside his two brothers, Paul and Rob, and his sister, Sue.
Coming of age at a time of social and political upheaval in the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s, Dave remained diligent, studious, and serious-minded; he was not swayed by shifting social fads. An outsized afro sported for several years in his late teens, perhaps to vex his conventional parents as much as anything, was his one concession to the Age of Aquarius. A voracious reader, always curious, with a dispassionate, clinical world view, he was, as his father proudly described him, the “student” of the family. A love of the outdoors and an adventurous spirit led to a turn at the Outward Bound Mountaineering camp in B.C. and the thrill of motorcycling along with skiing, cycling and kayaking for fun and fitness.
Graduating with Bachelor of Science and Master’s Degrees in Health Science from the University of Toronto, Dave embarked on a decades long career as an Instructor at Seneca College in Toronto. It was while teaching biology at Seneca College’s School of Nursing that Dave met his bride-to-be, Marion, and her two daughters Kirsten and Karen. Wed in the spring of 1979 Dave, Marion and the girls embarked on their new life setting down roots in North York near Dave’s family home.
Dave soon switched to instructing at Seneca’s Fire Protection Program where he remained until his retirement. First in the family to own a Personal Computer, Dave was always an ‘early adopter’ of all things technological, helped develop Seneca’s online learning programs and did ‘technical writing’ surrounding the programs he taught. In later years, he developed considerable expertise around computer generated “Fire Modelling” which led to a second career in the nascent field he helped grow. As an independent consultant, Dave travelled the world instructing in this niche industry and became one of a handful of “Go To” Expert Witnesses in multi-million-dollar civil litigation fire loss cases in Canada and the United States.
Possessed of a sharp wit and irreverent sense of humour, Dave enjoyed, along with his like-minded brothers, the affectionate torment of his parents afforded by Christmas and Thanksgiving gatherings at the family home.
Battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma from age 20 onward, Dave endured much. Repeated returns of cancer were met with repeated doses of radiation and chemotherapy all of which took their toll on his health. Yet Dave would cringe at the thought of being dubbed a ‘cancer survivor’; he refused to be defined by his illness. His health issues were a private matter that he did not discuss. He suffered greatly at many points in his life, but he did not wallow in self-pity nor did he complain. Not once. Ever.
With a heart weakened by decades of treatment, he underwent valve replacement and by-pass surgery on Friday June 9th. While the implants were successfully completed his body could not withstand this final assault and he passed peacefully at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday June 11th. He faced this last challenge as he faced all that life threw at him: calmly, deliberately and without fanfare.
Mourning his untimely passing but grateful for the many years they had with Dave are his wife Marion and her children Kirsten and Karen (Simon), Dave’s brothers Paul (Niki) and Rob (Candace), sister Susan, sister-in-law Nancy, grandchildren Nathan, Alec, Emily and Nick, nephews Ian (Tiffany) and Jack, nieces Jamie and Devon and grand-nephews Harrison, Hunter and Hugh.
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About |
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| Name | David McGill |
| Date of Birth | 1953 |
| Date of Death | June 11th, 2023 |
| Home Town | Guelph, ON, CA |
| Other City | Markham, ON, CA |
| In Memoriam Donation | Southlakes Regional Health Centre - please select Cardiac Care Program |
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published a tribute .
Teresa and I are so saddened to have heard of Dave’s passing. I especially looked forward to our casual chats outside our garages as we were each cleaning or working on our cars. I will miss our neighbourly chats. Dave’s wittiness, sense of humour and love of dogs will definitely be missed.
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We are saddened to hear of the untimely passing of our long time patient David. He was a gentleman and always welcomed us with a smile and kind word. Our condolences to Marion and the family.
The Staff of Bayview Village Dental Associates.
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published a tribute .
Hi,
I shared an office with Dave when I started at Seneca College. He was quite helpful in learning the ropes.
I found this thought helpful when many of my family passed our the last several years
published a comment .
Sometimes a legacy besides the students that we taught helps and some have set up student awards with that in mind.
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If you are having trouble reading the text of the image above it reads:
You are not really gone until the last person thinks about you for the last time!
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published a tribute .
I first knew Dave at Bayview Junior High School. Maybe even before that. And we have stayed in touch on and off ever since. We were often doing a construction project of some kind. His cottage, my first house, or one of Stewart’s many projects! Always enjoyed our recent get togethers at Stewarts cottage. He will be missed.
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I will hold dear the great time we had at Jackie's wedding last fall. Sitting face to face we babbled all evening and shared so many laughs. And during the winter , you shared with me the fun you had building your great work shop and woodworking projects. You will be missed by many, Claire and me included. RIP Dave.
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Dear Marion,
Unfortunately I did not know Dave well but his biography truly shows what an amazing person he was. My heart aches for you as you deal with this terrible loss. However you had many wonderful years together and he will always be with you. May your many wonderful memories help you through this very difficult time. Love, Marg Black
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Dave…I’m so grateful to have met you and will miss you and your stories about the cottage and your new projects!
Thank you for always being so supportive and an ear to my crazy work stories. Rest in paradise. your friend from the gym, Tiffany.
My condolences to the family and loved ones.
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I knew Dave first as a well respected colleague at Seneca, then as a teacher when I took his class in the fire program. My respect only grew. I was having a tough time personally that term and had lost someone very close to me. I wasn't doing as well as I normally did and was very hard on myself. He took the time to cheer me up and have tough conversations. He taught me that we learn very little when things are easy. It is picking ourselves up and moving through a tough time that is the more important lesson. He will be missed.
My condolences to his family and loved ones. Thank you for letting us share him for a while. He has impacted so many.
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When we first moved into our Townhouse we got to know Dave and Marion when they were out walking their beautiful dog Tonka. Then when they moved away I would run into him here in the halls at Seneca. So sad to hear this news and our deepest condolences to family and friends. Cindy and Gary
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We have lost such a gentle soul and loving brother. In shock and sadness we move through each day trying to make sense of his departure.
At least our memories of his unique caring nature and the great times we all had together can sustain us.
David’s spirit lives on in our hearts and that brings a smile to our thoughts.
James and Marthe
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Dave, against all odds, your fight to live was long and hard, yet you managed to live your life your way.
I truly admired you for that.
You will be dearly missed, Dave, rest in peace
Love
Jean
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Dave was a smiling and very pleasant fine fellow. I always enjoyed his laugh at humor and remember him from way back at the Leslie-Sheppard campus. He will be fondly remembered.
Condolences,
Frank
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Dave was a smart and remarkably talented guy. What I shall miss most in our friendship is his
inimitable dry wit. Nobody has done it better.
Requiescat in pace, Dave.
Fred
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Dave was a true legend in fire protection and he was a pleasure to work with. When I started in 2006, he never made me feel like "the new guy". He treated me as an equal and valued my opinions, as I did his.
We worked on several courses together and had similar teaching methodologies, as well as a love for fire dynamics and fire modelling.
Since his retirement, I have missed his big smile, and his dry, sarcastic wit...and, of course, the classical music that always emanated from his office. His presence has been missed and I am sad we will not get to catch up.
We will do our best to continue with your amazing work in the industry. Fire protection is better for having had you as a contributor. There are thousands of students who have passed through your classroom and they will carry the torch. I hope you are enjoying a great bike ride with the most wonderful weather right now.
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Dave, Dave, Dave, Dave, Dave, I shall miss you.
You and I always enjoyed each other's company and had so much to talk about, given that we were both tech writers.
Last time I saw you was at our niece's wedding in Montreal. I was given the gift of sitting beside you. We chatted away about this and that and nothing at all.
May you rest in peace, my dear brother-in-law.
With love and fondest memories,
Rene
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I struggle to accept that you are gone, Dave. You managed to weather the boisterous exuberance of your Orr in-laws with good humour. I will miss your chuckle and your gentle smile. But I will be forever grateful to have known you
Marion, George and I send our deepest sympathy and our love.
Suzie
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