In Ottawa, in his 80th year, of complications from a stroke following surgery. Devoted husband, father, grandfather, athlete, adventurer, diplomat, enthusiastic amateur cellist & Italian student. Beloved son of the late Richard & Marjorie Preston of Durham, NC & Kingston, ON. Much loved brother of Peter (Pam) & predeceased by his dear sister Carol. His wife Kate, children VK & Nico (Amy) & grandson Ryven deeply mourn the passing of this brave, good, & kind man. Our family enjoyed accompanying David on his Foreign Service postings to Indonesia, Ghana, Australia, Bangladesh (Canadian High Commissioner) & Poland (Canadian Ambassador). We thank the staff of The Edinburgh for their loving care, The Ottawa Hospital, our wonderful family physician Dr Chopra, the therapists & the health workers who supported David so well. A private interment will take place at Beechwood Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Service to be held on Saturday May 27th in the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa ON at 3:00p.m. followed by a reception.
Donations in David's memory may be made to OrKidstra or Heart & Stroke.
Digital Guestbook
Norbert Kalisch
Brian Buckley
I was saddened to learn of David’s passing. Although I never had the pleasure of working directly with him, I knew him to be a first rate officer and an excellent human being. His kindness, intelligence, good humour and dedication will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences to his family.
Arthur C Perron
To every member of the Preston Family. Wish to let you know how much David was admired for his infectious good humour and disposition as well as his brilliant insights in Foreign Policy analysis. It was an honour to be his colleague.
Renée Giroux
My sincere condolences to Kate and her family. Kate, thinking about you in the difficult time.
Jacquie & David Collins
Dear Kate - we are so sorry that we will not see David out here in BC again. You have all been so brave during the past eighteen months, and your support, Kate, was sine qua non. To use a somewhat dated expression these days, David was a true gentleman who will be sorely missed.
Howard Balloch
How sad. David was a friend and wonderful colleague. I treasure the memory of working with him in the same division at DFAIT headquarters during the late 1980s, running with him, and more recently enjoying conversations with him over a beer at a local pub. My deepest condolences and those of my wife Liani to Kate and the whole family.
Marion F Wilson
Bruce and I send our love and prayers to you on the death of David. David was and in our memory still is a very accomplished and fun-loving person.
erika v C Bruce
Dear Kate, please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. I know what it means to lose one's partner. Although I had met David may be only once or twice, his radiant personality and kindness was immediately apparent. With my bestv wishes to you and your family, Erika.
Alex Volkoff
Dear Kate and family, I am very sorry to hear of David's death, and of the period preceding it when both of you went through so much. David was a great colleague and friend, and we, as friends, continue to be there for you. So many memories!
Roger Bélanger
Marie joins me in extending our sincere condolences to Kate and family. We truly enjoyed our days together in Warsaw where David was my Ambassador. David was a true and dedicated professional and a great colleague.
David was a great colleague and a good person. A real human being.