Obituary of David Sutherland Mann

MANN, David Sutherland, passed away peacefully at the North Bay Regional Health Centre on Saturday, February 23rd, 2013 in his 93rd year. Predeceased in 2011 by his beloved wife Jean Elizabeth (nee Stinson) and in 2001 by his cherished daughter Katharine Elizabeth Splinter. Dave is also predeceased by his parents Robert and Helen Mann, sister Edna Hall and brothers Charlie and Alan. Survived by his sons David (Joan) of North Bay, Renwick (Gail) of Peterborough, Douglas of Kingston and Son-in-Law Hans Splinter of Kingston. Grandpa will be sadly missed by his grandchildren Leah Mann of North Bay, Lorin Mann of Calgary, Andrea (Dan) Hamilton-Mann of London, UK, Iain Mann of Peterborough, Laurie (Matt) Day (Splinter), Kingston, Elizabeth (Stephane) Bourque (Splinter) of Edmonton, David Splinter and Ted Splinter of Kingston. He is also Great-Grandpa to Jack and Sophia Day of Kingston, Samuel and Zachary Bourque of Edmonton and Frances Hamilton of London, UK. Enlisting in The Royal Regiment of Canada at the outset of World War II, Dave was part of the Allied Raid on the Port of Dieppe, France on August 19th, 1942, where with many other Allied soldiers he was captured and held as a Prisoner of War until being liberated on his birthday in May, 1945. After repatriation to Canada and discharge from the military, Dave and his brother Alan followed the lure of gold north to Virginiatown where after a period of working in the Kerr-Addison Gold Mine as hard-rock miners they opened Mann Brothers Service Station. Dave and Jean continued to operate the business for many years before he returned to Kerr-Addison Gold Mine where his mining career evolved from underground mining to Shift Boss and to Underground Captain, a position he held until his retirement in 1985. He served the community as a volunteer firefighter and Chief of the McGarry Volunteer Fire Department and was a Life Member of Virginiatown Branch #384 Royal Canadian Legion. Dave also served for a number of years as a Justice of the Peace for the Province of Ontario and a Member of the Assessment Review Court. WW II and the ensuing years of working and raising a family caused Dave’s high-school graduation and his musical interests to be deferred while he attended to more pressing matters; two objectives that were accomplished during his retirement years in North Bay. In addition to his Amateur Radio interests (VE3GTM) Dave resumed his trumpet playing becoming a proud member of the RCAF 22 Wing Band at CFB North Bay and at the age of seventy-three, having embraced the marvels of computer technology, completed the academic requirements for High-school Graduation giving proof to the adage that you’re never too old. The family will be receiving friends at Martyn Funeral Home, North Bay on Friday, March 1st from 7 pm to 9 pm and again on Saturday, March 2nd from 1 pm until time for the Funeral Service at 2 pm in the Martyn Funeral Home Chapel. Donations in memory of David Sutherland Mann may be made to the Alzheimer Society or a charity of one’s choice.