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David William Swan Martin passed away, peacefully in his sleep, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. He was in his 93rd year. Born in Scotland in 1931, he was the older brother to Peter, and one of “The 7 Swans” (cousins with the name Swan). He is predeceased by his father who fought in both World Wars, and who died a hero, rescuing people from a burning building during WWII. Shortly after his father’s death, their mother took her young family into the countryside, for safety sake. They returned one month later, only to discover that the family house had been bombed and nothing remained. David forever marvelled at the quiet strength and tenacity of their young mother, and this shaped his outlook on life and the person of integrity that he was.
As an adult, David served in the Royal Air Force and was stationed in Egypt. David was predeceased by his first wife, Elsie, who passed away at an early age due to medical issues.
In Scotland, David was a referee in semi-professional European Football. Queen of the South was his favourite soccer team. In his professional career in Scotland, David worked in the newspaper printing industry, and he also owned a guest house. When a Canadian elementary school teacher and her friend stayed there, he met his future wife, Ida, known as Terry. They became pen pals, writing letters back and forth between Scotland and Canada.
David came to Canada, and shortly after, in 1972, he and Terry were married and made Ottawa their home. David worked the nightshift at the Ottawa Citizen Newspaper, as a type setter. He used to finish his shift each morning with a newspaper that literally was hot off the press and smelled of fresh ink.
In retirement, David and Terry enjoyed travelling and visiting with family and friends in England, Scotland and Las Vegas, reading, and watching the news. They were devout attendees at Knox and St. Andrews Churches in Ottawa.
Theirs was a very happy marriage that lasted 52 years. When in 2017, Terry was a pedestrian permanently injured in an accident, David became her devoted caregiver, and continued to appreciate her gentle grace.
David is survived by his wife Terry; and in Scotland, his brother Peter Martin (Sandra); cousins Brian Milligan and Margaret Biddle; and David’s best friends, Robert Agnew and John Patterson. In Canada he is survived by sister-in-law Mary McDowell Wood (spouse of the Late Dr. Tom Wood), by longtime friends Patricia and Norman McLeod; by cousin-in-law Jane Todd (spouse of the Late Andrew Todd) and her daughters Elizabeth and Ruth. David is uncle to Judith Wood (Sigurd Eidsmo), Jane Wood (Kurtis Kitagawa), Sarah Wood (Rob Ballantyne), Peter Wood (Julie Brunelle) and James Wood (Christine Thorpe). He is great uncle to Julia,Thor and Jarl Eidsmo; Annie and Liz Crawford; and Mark, Ben and Sam Ballantyne. He was an amazing encourager of Terry’s ongoing rehab and will be missed by her skilled and compassionate Rehab providers: Inga, Kristy, Natalie, and Sarah; and by Terry’s kind and ever-helpful Care Worker, Gigi. He was so grateful for the daily care to Terry by the wonderful staff at the Retirement Home, especially Annie, Eritrea, Jillian, Miranda, Pam, and the chefs in the kitchen who gave David extra helpings of bacon!
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at 2:00pm at Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry Funeral Home, 315 McLeod St., Ottawa, ON.
Wednesday October 16th 2024
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario
death notice David William Swan Martin Wednesday October 16th 2024
obituaries notice David William Swan Martin Wednesday October 16th 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of David William Swan Martin Wednesday October 16th 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
