New Glasgow, NS
April 2, 1948 - February 26, 2025
David grew up in a small town, raised his family in a small town and practiced law in a small town – but his life was big and full for which he was grateful. He was a kind, thoughtful and clever person who was genuinely interested in others. He never forgot a name, a face or especially a person’s story.
He passed away on February 26, 2025 due to complications from Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) diagnosed March 2024.
David tended to use his words sparingly and was modest about his accomplishments. The following will adhere to neither of these two principles.
David was born in Halifax, NS on April 2, 1948, as the eldest of Neil and Mary (Feron) Wallace’s ten children. After a few years in Halifax and Cape Breton he settled with his parents and growing number of siblings in New Glasgow at the age of three.
David grew up in New Glasgow’s iconic north end where he enjoyed carefree days of playing street hockey, pick-up ball and exploring with the neighbourhood kids on worn out bikes. He moved to Windsor, Ontario for his junior high years and returned to New Glasgow to complete high school. He was valedictorian of the NGHS class of 1965 and went onto St.F.X. where he received his BSC degree. David then attended Dalhousie Law School, graduating in 1971.
David met Joan Moore in 1971 on a blind date - no apps involved. It was not until 1972 that they started dating. David took a chance waiting that long, but it paid off. It was time together on a ski trip to Sugar Loaf where their love and respect for each other deepened. They decided to marry a few months later on July 7, 1973.
There was an ease and flow to their relationship which created a loving home for their three children Tom, Sarah and Daniel on Abercrombie Road in New Glasgow. As a family, they were lucky enough to enjoy summer cottage life together at Kings Head and many March Break ski vacations.
David joined a New Glasgow law practice, where he was first to arrive every morning. But as is the beauty of a small town he managed to go home for lunch every day and spend time with his children. Over a 46-year period he practiced essentially every aspect of law – from murder to mortgages. In later years he represented the larger corporations in the region and the local university and hospitals. His deep involvement in his profession included several terms serving on the discipline and other committees of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society Council.
David was a community man. Stalwart, steady and true. He led by example. This was recognized in 2012 by the Dalhousie Schulich School of Law awarding him the "Weldon Award for Unselfish Public Service" recognizing lawyer’s contribution to community. David’s commitment was long and loyal, spanning over five decades for multiple causes at the same time.
His community involvement started in 1972 when he was asked by the then president of Summer Street Industries to attend a meeting. Summer Street is an organization which supports persons with intellectual disabilities. When David arrived at the meeting his "host" was not in attendance and had failed to mention that he had resigned. David left the meeting as their new president, at the tender age of 23. He served as president for seven years. And thus began a dedication to Summer Street that spanned 53 years.
In the mid-seventies David and others advocated for the establishment of homes for intellectually disabled persons to live in their community. Out of this effort Highland Community Residential Services (HCRS) was created of which he served as president. Both Summer Street and HCRS are still vibrant parts of the Pictou County community today.
In 1995 the need for funding for the expanding services of Summer Street necessitated the creation of a Foundation. David helped organize the Foundation’s first and most enduring project - the Summer Street Golf Scramble.
The first Scramble raised $8,400 and over the years it became a cherished and competitive tradition whose active participants raised increasing amounts each year culminating in $371,000 being raised in 2024. It is the most successful, single day golf fundraiser in Canada. David acted as chairman for the first 20 years and has participated in all 30 years of its existence. To date the Scramble has raised almost $5M.
David and Joan became members of the Kinsmen family early on. David joined in 1971 and is a Past President of the club. He was also named a Life Member in 1990. Through Kinsmen he was involved in numerous community projects including teaching power skating and coaching little league baseball. He later joined the K-40 Club serving as president there as well. At the time of his death, he was both a member and Director of the Gyro Club of New Glasgow.
David and Joan were fortunate to enjoy lots of travel over the years. Ski trips with the kids in the early days and eight Hawaiian holidays with their children and grandchildren in later years. More recently David and Joan spent eight winters in Naples, Florida as well as three winters in New Zealand and one in Australia.
Trips and social occasions with their wonderful New Glasgow friends were a highlight. Their Gourmet Club traveled to France, Italy and sailed in the Caribbean. David arranged annual golf trips for their couples’ golf group including destinations such as Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Bermuda, Hawaii, Las Vegas and Pebble Beach among others.
David was a long-time member and past president of the Abercrombie Country Club. He also enjoyed long distance running, hiking, kayaking and skiing. David was AI before AI. He had an amazing memory and could cite the date and details of any event, historical or personal. He loved doing the New York Times Sunday crosswords – the harder the better. His musical tastes ran from Garth Brooks to Leonard Cohen. And at the end of the day, he mixed a perfect martini.
David is survived by his partner in life, his wife Joan and their children Tom (Kamloops, B.C.), Sarah (Squamish, B.C.) and Daniel (Bedford, N.S.).
He will be cherished and greatly missed by the partners of his children Anise Barton, Patrick Reid and Hilary Everett, whom he admired so much.
David’s six grandchildren will dearly miss "Papa", their role model, mentor, proudest advocate and often times trickster. They are Xavier and Feron Wallace, Gabrielle and Cameron Reid, and Caroline and Eloise Wallace.
His siblings revered David and they could not have had a better brother to lead the way. They are Janet Wallace, Coleen Ross (Ian), Michael Wallace (Arlene), Carol Connor (Paul), Chris Wallace (Paulette) and Margot Cameron (Kevin).
David is also survived by his uncle Donald (Bud) Feron and aunt Ruth (Wallace) Graham.
He was predeceased by his father Neil in 1983; mother Mary in 2015; brothers Tom (1954), Peter (1995) and Paul (2023); and beloved granddaughter Sydney (2010).
David benefitted greatly from receiving blood and platelet transfusions. Please be a blood donor. It makes a difference.
Donations can be made to Summer Street Industries, 72 Park St., New Glasgow, NS, B4H 2R7 or online at https://summerstreet.ca/greenhouse/donate-today
There is a crack in everything…that’s how the light gets in.
(L. Cohen)
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