David Harold Northwood

In Loving Memory of
David Harold
Northwood 
age 73
Lovingly remembered by his sisters
 Shirley, Margaret, and Valerie, 
as well as numerous friends and relatives.

Died
May 13, 2021
Brandon Regional Health Centre
Brandon, Manitoba 

 
A small family graveside service 
will take place at Dunlop Cemetery 
in Dunrea on May, 18, 2021.

Donations in memory of David may be made
 to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, 
to a charity of your choice,  
or he would be greatly pleased if you just 
call a friend or family member and arrange a meal together when the pandemic is over.

We are terribly saddened by the sudden death of David Northwood due to
 pulmonary embolism.  While David had contended with other long term
 health conditions, this acute event came as a shock.  He died in
 Brandon General Hospital with his 3 sisters, Shirley, Margaret and
 Valerie, by his side.

 David was born and raised in Powell River, BC, the firstborn child of
 Wilfrid and Jean Northwood.  After completing his degree in education
 at the University of BC he returned to Powell River to teach for 14
 years before he moved to the family farm in Dunrea, Manitoba to farm
 with his uncle, Harley Millard.  Although his career changed from
 teaching to farming, he remained the "go-to" source for his nieces and
 nephews who needed extra help with their education.

 One of the greatest of David's gifts was the way he kept in touch
 with friends and family through phone calls and cards, thereby helping
 all of them keep connected to each other.  These connections included
 childhood friends, teaching colleagues, soccer (football) colleagues,
 university friends, and many relatives in Canada, the UK and
 Australia.  He was in contact with his 3 sisters daily.  David's
 travel highlights were his visits to friends and family in Canada and
 the UK (always including botanical gardens in the agenda).
 David had a lifelong interest in learning, reading, listening and
 discussing ideas about a wide range of subjects including science,
 medicine, farming practices, philosophy, religion, the environment, nature, social
 justice, governance and history.   His large library collection is
 evidence of his desire to continually seek better understanding; the
 books are well used, with yellow highlighter and notes diligently
 taken.  David used the information actively as he discussed it with others and wrote thoughtful letters to urge politicians to consider this information.

 He loved animals, small and large, and took steps to nurture them all
 from putting up mason bee houses, bird feeders and houses, milkweed for the
 monarch butterflies, planting pollinator seeds and native grasses.  The local
 veterinarians were kept busy with the sick and injured animals that
 David brought for treatment.

 David was a man of deep principle and integrity. Science, ethics,
 independence, commitment and conviction were compass points for David in
 his daily life.  David was troubled by depression for decades of
 his life and commented many times that he "hadn't found the cure yet"
 though he studied current advances in treatment.  Nieces and nephews best remember his jokes and playful side, being tossed in the air, rides on the tractor and his donkey Chester, driving lessons on "the Gator", and his off-key singing.

 His family is deeply grateful for the great pleasure he obtained from
 the day to day interactions with friends and relatives near and far.
 We are most appreciative of the health care professionals who assisted
 him at this very challenging time.

 As a man of science, knowledge, and caring David would expect us to
 abide by Covid-19 best practices at this time.  David's body is interred at the Dunlop cemetery in Dunrea.  There will be a gathering at a later time when public health measures allow.   David supported many charitable organizations and would be honoured by your contribution to the Nature Conservancy of Canada or your chosen charity.  Or, he would be greatly pleased if you just call a friend or family member and arrange a meal together when the pandemic is over.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Harold Northwood, please visit our floral store.