Rapkins, David William
February 5, 1931 – January 21, 2019
It is with great sadness that his family announce that David’s life ended at the Ottawa General Hospital at the age of 87 after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s and chest problems leading to pneumonia. Present by his bedside were Betty, his wife of 61 years, his daughter Anna and her husband Richard Tjepkema who was playing a recording of David’s favourite poem, Rudyard Kipling’s “Gunga Din” at the moment of his passing.… Read More » David was born in Southampton, England and joined the Royal Navy. He became a top photographer in the Fleet Air Arm, responsible for covering Royal visits and where his coverage of aircraft carrier take-offs and landings were shown to pilots and photographers in training. Posted to Scotland he met his future wife, a member of the Women’s Royal Naval Service. They returned to the south of England to be married and soon after the birth of their daughter Anna, they emigrated to Canada to be close to his older sister Gloria who greatly mourns his loss along with his English sisters Julia and Christine and brother Geoffrey. Other grieving family members include his daughter Debra, her two children Jennifer and Michael and Anna’s children Matthew and Rebecca who have both been of great help at this sad time. Rebecca has one child, Joseph; and Matthew has two young children, Jordan and Skye and takes care of the family cottage on Black Lake, near Perth where David and Betty retired until David’s health problems took them to the Perley Rideau Veterans Centre. During his time in Perth, David was an active member of the Kiwanis Club (President 1998-1999) as well as the Perth Royal Canadian legion. There will be a Memorial Service in the spring and a tree will be planted in his ashes at their cottage, and Betty’s too when the time comes, since they shared a great love of nature. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of David William Rapkins January 21 2019 January 21 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Perth, Province: Ontario