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
Angela Bogdan
Alan Bowker
Carolyn and I are very sad to learn of David's passing. More than an excellent colleague over many years in External, he was a good man and a great friend. My memories of him range from running with him out of the grotty change room at the Pearson Building (or rather, him running, me jogging) to our many get-togethers, to our daughters dancing together, to the last time we met, three years ago when we wound up the affairs of the Friends of the Concert Hall, and donated the proceeds to Orkidstra. He was a man of many talents and great depth. Our profound condolences to Kate and the family. He will be greatly missed.
David & Susan Carter
David was the very best of diplomatic colleagues, first met in Dhaka. He and Kate rapidly became lasting true friends.
A dedicated professional, David had absolute integrity, the soundest of judgements and a fine enquiring mind. Totally unassuming, regardless of his seniority, he also had a wry sense of humour.
David was great company whether in a tricky diplomatic situation or when we found ourselves having to change a wheel on a Sicilian highway. No wonder he was so well liked and regarded!
A life cut short but so much achieved..
Doreen Steidle
Dear Kate and family,
Please accept my sincere condolences. David will always be remembered for his enormous grin, his terrific sense of (gentle) humour, his kindness and his endless curiosity. As a husband, father, grandfather and friend to so many, he will be missed.
Louise Ouimet
My deepest condolences to Kate and her family. I did not know David, but worked with Kate who has always been a devoted CIDA officer and a dear colleague. Hope that John's soul will support you in these times.
Claire Poulin
Dear Kate,
Our sincere condolences to you and the family.
Gaston et moi garderons toujours un excellent souvenir de David.
Ferry de Kerckhove
A good, decent man, who took over from me at HQ the difficult job of economic relations with developing countries, which I know he did with kindness and effectiveness. Dedication and consistency were his trademarks, always with a touch of kindness and empathy!
Chris Westdal
Dear Kate, I worked twice with David, first some 50 years ago in Indonesia managing CIDA aid and second, 30 years later, when he was in Ottawa overseeing my work in Moscow. I was struck by his professional excellence from the start, by what a pleasure it was to work with him, and over the years as I came to know what a pleasure it was for so many to be in his company, to talk, make music, cheer up, run marathons, whatever with him , my respect only grew. Here are sympathy and condolence for you and your family as you grieve the loss of such a fine man.
John and Beverley Treleaven
Dear Kate,
Beverley and I were so very sorry to receive the news of David’s passing and extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family. David was a valued colleague who became a friend particularly when you and he took the decision to w inter here in Victoria. He added energy and boundless optimism to anyone who had the privilege to him.
Judy and Paul Meyer
Dearest Kate,
Dear Kate, our thoughts are with you as you weather this tremendous loss. David's wide-ranging professional contributions were more than matched by his gentleness, warmth and ready laugh which we'll long remember. His love for you and his family was evident. David will be much missed. Our condolences and our love, Judy and Paul Meyer
Dear Kate and family, I was so saddened to hear of David’s untimely passing. David was a wonderful mentor whilst you were in Canberra and I was on my first assignment in Melbourne. He was a true “feminist” in supporting a generation of female foreign service officers to use our voices and be robust in demonstrating our value added. Always gentle, kind and wise. It was a privilege to have known and worked with such an outstanding diplomat and human being.