March 11, 1954 – July 9, 2021
With shattered hearts we announce the sudden passing of our father, brother, and good friend, David. Born in Newfoundland and adopted by Pat and Eric MacBean, he spent his early childhood in Pickering, Ontario, where he made many close friends and enjoyed hockey and lacrosse. Later, as an adult, he was an avid hockey fan. Fun-loving and easy-going, with his genial sense of humour and his empathy, he was very popular.
He worked for many years in Toronto as a clerk, manager, and production supervisor in bindery department in various firms. At one point, he earned a Law Clerk Certificate but gave up being a paralegal to spend more time with his son.
He was a gentle soul, especially kind to his mother, who predeceased him one month earlier, on June 10, and emotionally supportive of his sister, Allyson, with whom he was close and who will miss him terribly. He was a devoted father to Chris. Being sensitive, he loved gardening, especially bonsais, and belonged to the Toronto Bonsai Club. He was very knowledgeable about plants and trees.
His love of books led to his collecting first and signed editions, as well as prints of West Coast aboriginal art and the Group of Seven. He liked art galleries. A voracious reader and devoted listener of the CBC radio, he was generous with his opinions on the issues of the day, especially politics and psychology. His reading tastes were eclectic, including social history, philosophy and novels. He also liked to collect historical artefacts and memorabilia.
He loved and knew his music, particularly Lennon, the Beatles overall, Neil Young, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen.
After separating from his wife, Beth, he left Toronto for North Vancouver. At this time, his health problems led to tests revealing he had mitochondrial disease, a genetic problem that affects almost all of the body, and which causes intense fatigue. More health problems led to counselling that put him in touch with a therapy group for those with chronic diseases, and as a result he made fast new friends, including his very good friend Nancy, who did so much for him.
His calm, gentle, supportive presence will be badly missed by his son, Christopher, his sisters Allyson and Katherine, and his brother Andrew, as well as Nancy, Terry, Shauna, and Beth, who gave him over 30 years. David, we love you so much.
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