On October 8th , 2019 – Alone together - In the loving arms of his wife of fifty years David passed away, finally at peace after a lengthy illness at Mississauga Hospital.
He is survived by his wife Marybeth (nee Bennett), his favourite sister June Akins (Ottawa), Bennett Sisters-in-law Barbara (Anthony Coulter), Carol Ann (Norman Leclair) and Janice (Alex Stillo) all of Mississauga, ON and Bennett brothers-in law John (Ani) Hamilton and Michael (Suzanne) of Oakville, ON. Nieces and nephews Maura (Shawn), Stephen (Devon – Henry, Mavis & Rose) and Philip (Christine – Ava, Samuel & Nicholas) Coulter; Suzannah (Matt-Neil & Selvey Bennett-Kitchen), Jacqueline (Ty – Gavin & Molly Delgaty), and Robin (Caleb) Bennett; Matthew (Jessica), Elizabeth (Neil), Daniel (JesseRae) and Godson Gregory Leclair; Frances and Hanna (Amir) McCabe-Bennett and Robert (Melissa) and Sofia Stillo; along with many loved Akins and Driscoll cousins.
David was predeceased by his wonderful parents Harold Akins and Dorothy Driscoll (Stittsville, ON), his loving in-laws John Bennett and Mona McDonald (formerly of Etobicoke, ON), his brother-in-law Gregory Bennett, his best friend Alastair Munro and buddies Todd Scott and Larry Nelson.
He was born in Ottawa, brought up on a dairy farm in Stittsville, ON (just beyond the fringe of the nation’s capital) moved to Toronto in 1961 for post-secondary education, in 1963 he decided to move to “TO” permanently (while remaining a ‘Habs’ fan). He met Marybeth in 1968, they married in 1969 – the rest is history.
On David’s behalf Marybeth would like to thank her sister Barbara and Nurse Neeno for their dedicated service at home, to the many Paramedics and Firefighters for their kindnesses and professionalism, to the ER staff at Mississauga Hospital who attended to his final needs, Dr. Mann, Dr. Fernando and Special thanks to Dr. Ghandi.
Marybeth would like to thank the daughter of her heart, Kristy Sood and brother-in-law Norm Leclair and her sister Carol, whose love and help on David’s last day kept her going; to her sisters, brothers and in-laws who have been beside her attending to her every need; to her nieces and nephews (in-laws and out) for their love; to her many friends who have offered help and unconditional love.
And to David’s big sister June, for her love, support and constancy throughout David’s life, it made him the luckiest of brothers and she will remain forever his “favourite” sister.
The family invites you to join us for a celebration of David's life on Sunday, October 27th from 1-4. Commemoration service will take place at 1:30pm at The Craftsman (Event Room), 1575 Lakeshore Rd West, Mississauga, ON L5J 0B1.
Messages and condolences may be left at cremationalternatives.com. Please visit David's obituary notice on Facebook.