It is with immense sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our son, brother, uncle and friend, Dr. David Robert Cann on Saturday, November 20, 2021, at his home in Calgary, AB.
Born May 18, 1966, in Sydney, he was the son of Wayne and Carolyn (Giacomini) Cann.
David completed his bachelor’s degree at Cape Breton University. In 2008 David earned his Masters and PhD in Cognitive Psychology at Western University. He was currently a professor teaching Cognitive Psychology, Introductory Psychology, Statistics, and Research Methods at Mount Royal University.
David often expressed that his greatest passion was for teaching and working with students, at which he excelled. He was beloved by his students and colleagues. His kindness and compassion were mirrored in his relationships with everyone who knew him. He had an incredible sense of humor, warm smile and laughing eyes and made everyone he met feel welcomed and accepted.
David helped to establish the Honours Program in Psychology, teaching the Honours Seminar courses. He had a long-standing commitment to the Human Research Ethics Board (HREB), serving as the Chair, Vice-Chair and member for a span of nearly a decade. David’s many research accomplishments included numerous conference presentations, many of which were co-authored with students, as well as several publications.
David is survived by his parents; brother, Darryl (Tammy), Hanwell, NB; sisters, Debbie (Lyndon) and Donna (Gordon),Sydney, NS; nieces and nephews, Robert (Jill), Megan, Will, Breanna and Jacob; and special friends, Cheryl Techentin, Jen Boman and Andrew Szeto, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
David was predeceased by his grandparents, Edwin and Gloria Cann and Americo and Irma Giacomini; aunts, Margaret MacLean, Dorothy Giacomini and Judy Cann; and uncles, Rick Giacomini and Gordon Moss.
A funeral service will be held at Sydney Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Dennis Lamey officiating. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to a scholarship in David’s name at foundation.mru.ca/ag-pages/david-cann-donation-page
Words of comfort can be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca or e-mail sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Dr David Robert Cann 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Sydney, Province: Nova Scotia
Wayne, Carolyn and Family we are so sorry for the loss of your son David .Our thoughts and prayers are with you in such a hard .
Dale Gerry and Family
I had the pleasure having David as my Cognitive Psychology professor a couple of years ago. It was obvious through his lectures what an outstanding person he was. Funny, kind, and compassionate, David was a very likeable professor that I won’t soon forget.
My condolences.