David Gee

David John Gee passed away at the age of 79, with family by his side on Friday, September 8th, 2017 in the Peter D. Clark Nursing Home in Ottawa, Ontario. Beloved husband of Gayle for 56 years; loving and much loved father of Karyn Gee, Heather (Chris) Vogt, and Sandra (Jeff) Milloy; cherished Grampa of Emma and Talia Vogt, and Sean and Madelyn Milloy. Son of the late William and Annie Gee of Melbourne, Quebec; brother of Winnifred and Brian. David was born on April 3, 1938 in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. A graduate of College Militaire Royale (CMR) in St. Jean Quebec, and Kingston's Royal Military College (RMC). He obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto. Immediately after graduation in May 1961, he and Gayle were married. David served for thirteen years in the Canadian Military, initially in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals in Camp Valcartier, Quebec City. In 1963 David was posted to Elizabethville, Katanga Province in the Congo, as Detachment Commander to secure communications with the UN Headquarters in Leopoldville. Upon completion of the UN job David attended the Royal Military College of Science in Shrivenham, Berkshire. David's final years in his military career were spent with National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, retiring in 1969 with the rank of Captain. David then began what would become twenty-four years with the public service, when he joined the Federal Government. He spent twelve years with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in the area of Northern Natural Resources Management. David, Gayle and their three daughters then moved to Yellowknife, North West Territories, in the summer of 1969. David's career was quite adventurous as NWT Regional Manager, Water, Forests and Lands in Yellowknife, and he travelled extensively to remote settlements throughout the north. During this time both he and Gayle spent an adventurous week travelling down the Nahanni River with local guides, before leaving the north for Ottawa in 1974. David joined the National Pipeline Agency in Calgary in 1980, then returned to Ottawa in 1982 where he worked for the Northern Affairs Canadian Oil and Gas Lands Administration, and later for Environment Canada, until his retirement in 1994. David's decision to retire was hastened by health considerations, as he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1988. With Gayle's help, family solidarity and with the expertise of the Ottawa Hospital Parkinson's Clinic, Dave led a full, busy life, continuously kept on his toes by his four adored grandchildren, who now range in age from 9 to 19. A fun-loving, patient and compassionate father, Dave had a wonderfully dry wit. A lover of family summer camping when the children were young, David was passionate about his photography and slide shows, holding many "family movie nights" throughout the years. The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of Pine House in Peter D. Clark Nursing Home for their continuous care, particularly Nurse Angela, for her compassion and kindness. A visitation is scheduled for Saturday, September 16th, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm and 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Tubman Funeral Home, 3440 Richmond Road. Funeral service will be held in the Tubman Garden Chapel, 3440 Richmond Road, on Sunday, September 17th at 2:00. Reverend Karen Boivin will officiate at the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate David's life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson's Society or the Canadian Cancer Society.