Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Nova Scotia for funeral details
David Feron Wallace
David grew up in a small town, raised his family in a small
town and practiced law in a small town – but his life was
big and full for which he was grateful. He was a
kind, thoughtful and clever person who was genuinely interested in
others. He never forgot a name, a face or
especially a person’s story.
He passed away on February 26, 2025 due to complications from
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) diagnosed March 2024.
David tended to use his words sparingly and was modest about
his accomplishments. The following will adhere to neither of these two
principles.
David was born in Halifax, NS on April 2, 1948, as the eldest
of Neil and Mary (Feron) Wallace’s ten
children. After a few years in Halifax and Cape
Breton he settled with his parents and growing number of siblings in
New Glasgow at the age of three.
David grew up in New Glasgow’s iconic north end
where he enjoyed carefree days of playing street hockey, pick-up ball
and exploring with the neighbourhood kids on worn out bikes. He moved
to Windsor, Ontario for his junior high years and returned to New
Glasgow to complete high school. He was valedictorian of the NGHS
class of 1965 and went onto St.F.X. where he received his BSC degree.
David then attended Dalhousie Law School, graduating in
1971.
David met Joan Moore in 1971 on a blind date – no apps
involved. It was not until 1972 that they started
dating. David took a chance waiting that long, but
it paid off. It was time together on a ski trip to Sugar Loaf where
their love and respect for each other deepened. They decided to marry
a few months later on July 7, 1973.
There was an ease and flow to their relationship which
created a loving home for their three children Tom, Sarah and Daniel
on Abercrombie Road in New Glasgow. As a family, they were lucky
enough to enjoy summer cottage life together at Kings Head and many
March Break ski
vacations.
David joined a New Glasgow law practice, where he was first
to arrive every morning. But as is the beauty of a small town he
managed to go home for lunch every day and spend time with his
children. Over a 46-year period he practiced essentially every aspect
of law – from murder to mortgages. In later years he
represented the larger corporations in the region and the local
university and hospitals. His deep involvement in his profession
included several terms serving on the discipline and other committees
of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society
Council.
David was a community man. Stalwart,
steady and true. He led by example. This was
recognized in 2012 by the Dalhousie Schulich School of Law awarding
him the “Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service”
recognizing lawyer’s contribution to community.
David’s commitment was long and loyal, spanning over five
decades for multiple causes at the same time.
His community involvement started in 1972 when he was asked
by the then president of Summer Street Industries to attend a meeting.
Summer Street is an organization which supports persons with
intellectual disabilities. When David arrived at the meeting his
“host” was not in attendance and had failed to mention that
he had resigned. David left the meeting as their new president, at the
tender age of 23. He served as president for seven years. And thus
began a dedication to Summer Street that spanned 53
years.
In the mid-seventies David and others advocated for the
establishment of homes for intellectually disabled persons to live in
their community. Out of this effort Highland
Community Residential Services (HCRS) was created of which he served
as president. Both Summer Street and HCRS are still vibrant parts of
the Pictou County community today.
In 1995 the need for funding for the expanding services of
Summer Street necessitated the creation of a Foundation. David helped
organize the Foundation’s first and most enduring project –
the Summer Street Golf Scramble.
The first Scramble raised $8,400 and over the years it became
a cherished and competitive tradition whose active participants raised
increasing amounts each year culminating in $371,000 being raised in
2024. It is the most successful, single day golf fundraiser in Canada.
David acted as chairman for the first 20 years and has participated in
all 30 years of its existence. To date the Scramble has raised almost
$5M.
David and Joan became members of the Kinsmen family early on.
David joined in 1971 and is a Past President of the club. He was also
named a Life Member in 1990. Through Kinsmen he was involved in
numerous community projects including teaching power skating and
coaching little league baseball. He later joined the K-40 Club serving
as president there as well. At the time of his death, he was both a
member and Director of the Gyro Club of New
Glasgow.
David and Joan were fortunate to enjoy lots of travel over
the years. Ski trips with the kids in the early days and eight
Hawaiian holidays with their children and grandchildren in later
years. More recently David and Joan spent eight winters in Naples,
Florida as well as three winters in New Zealand and one in
Australia.
Trips and social occasions with their wonderful New Glasgow
friends were a highlight. Their Gourmet Club traveled to France, Italy
and sailed in the Caribbean. David arranged annual golf trips for
their couples’ golf group including destinations such as
Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Bermuda, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Pebble
Beach among others.
David was a long-time member and past president of the
Abercrombie Country Club. He also enjoyed long distance running,
hiking, kayaking and skiing. David was AI before AI. He had an amazing
memory and could cite the date and details of any event, historical or
personal. He loved doing the New York Times Sunday crosswords
– the harder the better. His musical tastes ran from Garth
Brooks to Leonard Cohen. And at the end of the day, he mixed a perfect
martini.
David is survived by his partner in life, his wife Joan and
their children Tom (Kamloops, B.C.), Sarah (Squamish, B.C.) and Daniel
(Bedford, N.S.).
He will be cherished and greatly missed by the partners of
his children Anise Barton, Patrick Reid and Hilary Everett, whom he
admired so much.
David’s six grandchildren will dearly miss
“Papa”, their role model, mentor, proudest advocate and
often times trickster. They are Xavier and Feron Wallace, Gabrielle
and Cameron Reid, and Caroline and Eloise Wallace.
His siblings revered David and they could not have had a
better brother to lead the way. They are Janet Wallace, Coleen Ross
(Ian), Michael Wallace (Arlene), Carol Connor (Paul), Chris Wallace
(Paulette) and Margot Cameron (Kevin).
David is also survived by his uncle Donald (Bud) Feron and
aunt Ruth (Wallace) Graham.
He was predeceased by his father Neil in 1983; mother Mary in
2015; brothers Tom (1954), Peter (1995) and Paul (2023); and beloved
granddaughter Sydney (2010).
David benefitted greatly from receiving blood and platelet
transfusions. Please be a blood donor. It makes a
difference.
Donations can be made to Summer Street Industries, 72 Park
St., New Glasgow, NS, B4H 2R7 or online at summerstreet.ca/greenhouse/donate-today
Funeral arrangements are under the control of R.H. Porter
Funeral Home, New Glasgow. A celebration of life will be held at
Summer Street Industries at a later
date.
There is a crack in
everything…that’s how the light gets
in.
(L.
Cohen)
1948 2025
Death notice for the town of: New-Glasgow, Province: Nova Scotia
death notice David Wallace 1948 2025
obituaries notice David Wallace 1948 2025
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of David Wallace 1948 2025 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
