It is with profound sadness that his family announces David’s passing on September 9, 2021, at the age of forty. He was the beloved son of Cynthia and Donald and cherished brother of Susan (Meredith Johnson) and the late Meredith; uncle of Isla, William, Beatrice and James; nephew of Mary Rose and the late Catherine and Richard Podolak; cousin, friend, and colleague. Born in Fergus, David graduated from Centre Wellington High School, continuing his education at Queen’s University, where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in 2003. He went on to teach ESL in Tokyo for two years before entering medical school at the University of Sydney, Australia in 2006, graduating in 2010. He eventually rose to the position of Senior Medical Officer in the New South Wales health system. David was a man of courage and empathy. He travelled to the other side of the world to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor, facing the challenges of medical school and establishing himself in a new country. Compassion for his patients, as well as advocacy for the marginalized, were the fundamentals of his career in medicine. David’s friends will remember his comic flair, his adventurous spirit, and the “profound positive impact” he had on their lives, as well as the good times they had at the cottage, trips to Cuba and Thailand, and teaching ESL with him in Tokyo. David’s family will always carry in their hearts the joy he brought with his warm smile, his infectious laughter, and his kind and gentle spirit. David had so much love to give and so much to offer the world. He has left an indelible mark on all who knew and loved him. He will be forever loved and missed.
