David Ian Spanner

A LIFE WELL LIVED AND WELL LOVED

David Ian Spanner, 76, passed away peacefully in Ottawa on December 28, 2025, after a long and valiant struggle with cancer. David kept active and engaged throughout the progression of the disease until the end, never a burden, never a complaint. He made peace with life’s end, allowing for closure and saying goodbyes.

David was born in Toronto on May 5, 1949, to parents Oliver and Helen (Mackay) Spanner. He and his younger sister, Barb, grew up in a home built by their father, located on a ravine in Willowdale which backed onto the Don Valley River. The family enjoyed the inground pool his father put in, where all the neighborhood kids gathered. They also enjoyed sailing at the National Yacht Club on Lake Ontario.

David experienced adversity early on in life which he faced with steadfast resilience and strength. This adversity shaped his lifelong attributes, including a steadfast work ethic, a deep commitment to education and learning, and unwavering loyalty.

David’s aptitude for math, biology, and physics became evident at a very early age. His high school years were spent in an enrichment educational program, preparing him for university. Alongside his education, David had a lifelong love of sports, either playing in them, coaching, or administering them. It was a natural step to study Phys Ed at the University of Toronto, where he went on to teach Phys Ed at the high school which he had previously attended.

A career change led to David working for Tippet Richardson Moving Company, first as Records Manager. Around this time, he also joined the North Toronto Sailing Club, where he acted as Vice Commodore, and where he met his future wife, Katherine Kane (Ottawa). Soon after David and Katherine married in 1984, he was offered a position as Manager of Tippet Richardson’s Ottawa office. Once in Ottawa, they welcomed their three children Leigh (1985), Karen (1986), and Graham (1988).

David was a man of many interests. One of the many sports he was involved with was Amateur Wrestling. He spent almost 10 years with Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association (CAWA) in roles such as Vice President, Treasurer, Team Manager, and Director. He was later in line for the role of President for CAWA, which he declined in order to spend more time with his wife and children.

While managing a moving company with 60 staff, and volunteering for CAWA, he completed his MBA part time at the University of Ottawa. As fate would have it, his hard work paid off, and he landed his “perfect job” as a Management Consultant for the federal government. He worked in this role for nineteen years, loving every minute of it. In addition to his full-time career in consulting, David was hired as a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa teaching business administration. He continued in this role for twenty-five years.

After twenty years of raising their family and working hard, David and Katherine purchased a waterfront property near Mont Tremblant, Quebec. It was here they experienced their greatest pleasures. Here they spent countless hours looking out onto Lac Cameron, appreciating the beauty and serenity of property, and enjoying the great outdoors. They participated in many sports on and off the water, made many wonderful friends, and beautiful memories over their 16 years here.

David is lovingly remembered by his wife of 41 years, Katherine (Kane); daughter, Leigh, son-in-law, Brent Attridge, and their children, Mabel, Gus, and Flora; daughter, Karen, son-in-law, Ryan Lauzon, and their children Wells and Sawyer; son Graham, daughter-in-law Alyssa Spanner, and son, Logan David; and his sister, Barb Tomkinson, of Peterborough. David is predeceased by his parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, Ottawa, on Saturday January 3, 2026, at 10 am. This informal gathering of family and friends where anecdotes and memories will be shared to honor the memory of David.

A private family interment will follow at the adjacent Notre Dame Cemetery.