David Conboy Brownlow

Dec. 26, 1932 - May 28, 2023

Within two weeks of his birth in Winnipeg, MB. David and his mother Violet (Conboy) Brownlow rejoined his father Ralph, the first dentist on the first CPR Dental Railroad Car which operated in northern Ontario. Thus, from his first two years on the Dental car arose David’s lifelong love of trains (and cars and planes).

He grew up in Toronto from 2 years of age. He went to Oakwood Collegiate, and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1956 in Civil Engineering. He worked for the city of Etobicoke from 1956 to 1991 when he retired as Director of Roads and Development. He pursued other creative interests such as watercolour painting and wood carving which included carving a “family” totem pole. He wrote “Whistle Stop Dentist” about his parents’ experiences on the Dental car. A second book, “Muskoka Cottage Retreat” was written about early pioneers, family life, and cottages on the Moon River Road in Bala.. In 2023, the 91st. year of his life, he was writing his memoirs. In 1976 he bought a 1931 Model A Ford which he restored and drove until 2014. He was a member and former Secretary of the Model ‘A’ Owners of Canada Inc. and the Model ‘A’ Ford Club of America. He also bought many modern day cars throughout the years. He had a pilot’s licence. David and Joan, married in 1989, enjoyed many travelling experiences on trains across Canada and the US and many cruises throughout the world. He built a huge layout for his Garden Scale Railway trains in the basement of their home near Fergus, Ontario. He and his wife Joan relocated to Aurora in 2014. They spent summers at Joan’s cottage near Parry Sound where he built his garden railway for friends and family, especially grandchildren to enjoy. David was a loving, kind, and truly talented person who had many health issues but he remained positive throughout them all, living a “fantastic” life. He was predeceased by his first wife Marilyn Ruth Ratz in 1982, the mother of his daughter Audrey. David is survived by his loving wife, Joan, his beloved daughter Audrey (Stan) of Mission, BC. Joan’s three sons, Tim (Sandi), Patrick, and Sean (Melissa). He was a proud and loving grandfather of 11 grandchildren, Cassandra, Victoria, Danielle, Brendan, Holly, Amelia, Geoffrey, Matthew, Emily, Mackenzie and Samantha and his great-granddaughter Callie Lynne. David is lovingly remembered by his sister Ruth (Don), two nephews Scott and Mark, and niece Ann, all in Alberta. He is also remembered by his godson David O’Drowsky and family.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, June 6 at 1:00pm. at Aurora United Church located in Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria St. Aurora. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket, ON. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ThompsonFH-Aurora.com