David passed away on March 30, 2020 at the Elisabeth Bruyere Hospital. He was 82. David grew up in the Riverdale area of Toronto. He was a first-generation Canadian, and the son of the late Harold Kettel and Janet Gibson. He was the dearly loved husband of Bonnie (Brown) for over 54 years, the loving father of Sarah Kettel and the doting grandfather of Pascale Dupont and Sean Dupont, all of Gatineau, Quebec. He is also survived by the children’s father, Martin Dupont, and by his in-laws who loved him greatly, David and Sharon Aello and Marnie Brown, and by Deborah Aello, Michael Langdon, Katherine Ward, Madison Foster and the more newly-arrived Caleb Langdon and Isabel Ward.
David was a life-long learner. He completed his B.A. in Anthropology and an M.A. in Physical Anthropology at the University of Toronto, and his Ph.D. in Social Anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1975. For some years David was a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Northern Colorado. He did field research in Kenya and Italy, had a major interest in Crow-Omaha kinship systems, and although always a Social Anthropologist, he had an enduring interest in prehistory and linguistics.
David loved his family and friends, jazz, good food, Tuscan reds and craft beers, books, police procedurals, driving through the mountains, the Ontario countryside, and Noelle, the Wonder Dog.
After returning to Canada, David and Bonnie lived for over 20 years in the Roncesvalles area of Toronto, before moving to Ottawa in 2011. In Toronto they were parishioners at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and in Ottawa they became part of the St. Luke’s Anglican Church community. David will be greatly missed by his neighbours at Knollwood Terrace and his many friends at St. Luke’s.
David loved the gathering of family and friends, and to honour that wish his funeral and the celebration of his life will take place at a later date. Friends wishing to make memorial donations are asked to consider St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Ottawa, or St. Luke’s Table.
Digital Guestbook
Wendi Campbell
Karen Roach
Dearest Sarah,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dad. It is so heartbreaking to lose someone during this time of social isolation when you need friends and family close. What a beautiful, full life he lived! Take care, my friend.
George Larson
Words cannot express how sorry I am, Bonnie, Sarah, Pascale and Sean. Your husband, father, grandfather was one of the greatest influences in my growing up and continues to this day to be one of my role models. I admired him and respected him so very much. I am so very sorry.
Cheleen Mahar
I met David and Bonnie in 1967. A lovely couple. David had a stout heart and kind convictions. He was also brilliant. The world will miss him. A good man.
Gail Palermo
I am so sorry to hear of your loss Bonnie, Sarah and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times.
Meagan Bell
My heart goes out to you and your family, Sarah. Sending my love and condolences.
Martin Dupont
Dear Bonnie and Sarah, I am very sorry for your loss and my family ask me to pass their condolences to both of you as well. Last night, Sean and myself have lighted up a candle in David's memory and I have remembered vividly some moments with him such as a conversation we had regarding life, we had a couple of them actually, but that conversation was during summer vacation on the way back to the cottage from the buffet at the Fairmount in La Malbaie, the landscape was gorgeous, it was very sunny and we can see the blue St-Lawrence river, during that conversation we were wondering if it would be possible that there would be nothing... or if the world could have been different, that was the kind of stuff we did enjoy talking about and many other. David was a kind person, a lot of wisdom, very smart and he could talk for hours about linguistic, anthropology and other things, sometimes it was intense to the point to give you a headache:) I have many others such as in Gaspésie, etc. Anyway, we will certainly have time to remember him... sooner than later I hope. Martin
Pierre Labbée
My deepest sympathies for your loss, Sarah. May you and your family find comfort and peace in the memories of your father. Take care.
Dawn Bruyere
Saddened for you. Your Dad sounds like someone I would have admired should I have met him. You have his spirit Sarah. So I hope you and your family find comfort in good memories. Thinking of you in this difficult time. Sending a hug with deepest sympathy.
Linda Brown Oldham
Dearest Aunt Bonnie, Sarah, Pascale,Sean and Families,
Randy, Myself and our Families send our Love and Prayers during this heartbreaking social isolation when Loving HUGS are needed most! Please know You will All remain in our Prayers during the days and months ahead! All Our Love!
My sincerest condolences to my dear friend Sarah, her two wonderful kids and her Mom. My heart and soul are with you at this difficult time.