On the morning of March 26, 2021, David Edward Southmayd passed away at the Montreal General Hospital. He was 75 years old, and he was greatly beloved.

Nobody who met David could fail to be charmed by his easy smile, keen wit, and gentle, welcoming warmth, all of which were juxtaposed with an abiding love for the works of Ernest Hemingway and a light-hearted sense of the absurdity of existence.

Born to Charles and Winnifred Southmayd, David fell in love with literature at an early age. He lit that same spark in his students during his long tenure as a professor of English at Vanier College, where he led the teachers’ union and helped helm the school’s prestigious Liberal Arts Department.

David was much more than an excellent teacher, however. He was also a loving husband, a doting father, a terrific tennis player, a dedicated children’s soccer coach, a caring friend, and a dedicated fan of potato chips and cheesecake.

David is grieved by his children, Thomas, Sophie, and Stevie (also known as Stephanie), and their partners and spouses, as well as by his four-year-old granddaughter Lila May, who has renamed her favourite teddy bear “Papa Bear” in tribute to him. He is also mourned by his brothers Gary and Steve Southmayd, his nephew Garrett, his nieces Erin and Degen, and their spouses and children. David leaves behind him, moreover, countless loving and loyal friends, colleagues, and students from his time at Vanier College and among his neighbours in his long-time home of Westmount, Quebec.

In the last decade of his life, David fought valiantly against Parkinson’s Disease, persisting in long and vigorous walks and exercise, and sharpening his already brilliant intellect further at the McGill Community for Lifelong Learning – even as his caretakers pleaded for him to take it easy. David was stubborn and brave, and always fiercely independent. He was also a profoundly good and kind man, and he will forever be in our hearts.

Due to the pandemic, we will be conducting a celebration of David’s life sometime later this year. Please email us at ssouthmayd@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

In closing, the family thanks the dedicated staff and caretakers at Manoir Westmount for their exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate to the charity of your choice in David’s memory.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Rideau Funeral Home, 4275 des Sources, Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Full obituary: https://montrealgazette.remembering.ca/obituary/david-southmayd-1081918082

Posted in 2020-2029