Contributions to the tribute of Dave Thomas

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Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Dave was such a character. I always looked forward to when he came in for a haircut. I enjoyed our conversations plus he always had a joke or 2 which brought out that mischievious twinkle in his eyes. It always made me feel good to know Dave felt good once his hair was tidied! I will really miss him! He was more like family to me! My heart goes out to you and your family, Barb! xo Pat

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Cathy Malisani donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF CANADA - SOCIETE ALZHEIMER DU CANADA

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

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John Cherry donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF CANADA - SOCIETE ALZHEIMER DU CANADA

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

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John Cherry posted a condolence

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

My deepest condolences to Sensei Dave's family and loved ones. Dave was a great, patient teacher and made my late entry into judo the most fun I ever had; to get an old guy like me to green belt in my mid-forties required a lot of individual instruction and a good sense of humour. My eldest son and I started in a father-son judo class at the Victoria Hills location along with five or six other families back in the 1990's. The sons all dropped out and the fathers carried on with Sensei Dave for several years. I have the fondest memories of having known Dave for a few years, and hope this memory helps with the pain of your loss in these times of distancing.

Linda Weichel posted a condolence

Sunday, May 31, 2020

I wish the family peace and lots of wonderful memories. The obituary is such a tribute and gives us a sense of what a great life Dave lived. Dave and my dad, Ross Weichel, worked at the Record together and I have fond memories of seeing Dave at the tennis club over the years. He was always so cheerful and had a wonderful sense of humour and appreciation of life. Linda Weichel

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Roberta A Hutchings donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF CANADA - SOCIETE ALZHEIMER DU CANADA

Friday, May 29, 2020

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Bobbie Hutchings uploaded photo(s)

Friday, May 29, 2020

Oh the wonderful years I had growing up with my brother Dave, who became one of my best friends. To my delight he married Barbara, who has always been like a sister to me. Our families were very close and shared so many good times together, including a most outstanding holiday in Ireland where Dave, as usual, brought joy and laughter to everyone around him. I will always cherish the fondest memories of my loving brother.

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Jon Fear donated to ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF CANADA - SOCIETE ALZHEIMER DU CANADA

Friday, May 29, 2020

Dave inspired so many people with his competitive spirit, in my case on the tennis court. His desire to perform well every time always made it interesting. When he was, for a time, unable to play with one arm, he switched to the other and kept playing. I was always jealous of that spirit. Off the court, he always had a smile for his friends. In recent years we had great chats at Phoenix Club dinners. He loved his family and always asked about mine. I have thought about him often in recent days and the memories are good ones. Dave made this community a better place to live, for sure.

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Kevin Hutchings posted a condolence

Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Dave Thomas was my uncle, and he was the best uncle a kid could ever hope to have. When I was small he was my larger-than-life hero; I bragged about my black-belt uncle to all my friends and anyone else who would listen. During family visits in Burlington, he taught my brother and I a few judo throws and break-falls in the backyard, inspiring us to take lessons at the Hatashita Judo club in Oakville. Although we never made it past our orange belts, this experience gave us the confidence and courage not to flinch in the face of schoolyard bullies. I will always appreciate that. The very best part of our family gatherings were the sing-alongs. I would play the guitar, and Dave and I would lead everyone in singing songs by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, the Clancy Brothers, and other favourites. When we sang around the campfire at my parents' Parry Sound cottage, our voices must have echoed for miles along the bay. There was so much fun and love in those musical gatherings, and Dave was always at the very centre of them--the life of the party, a contagious source of laughter and joy. The Scottish poet Thomas Campbell once wrote that “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Although I will miss my uncle’s smile, his jokes, and his laughter, I take comfort in these words, because to know Dave was to love him, and he touched so many, many hearts. When this Covid-19 health crisis passes and we’re able to gather with family and friends to celebrate Dave's life, I’ll bring my guitar and be ready to sing his favourite songs with everyone once again. In the meantime, my thoughts are with my dear Aunt Barb and my wonderful cousins Pete, Kelly, Shellie, Jim, and Meredith.

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Dan Hutter posted a condolence

Thursday, May 21, 2020

It is with great sadness that I read of Dave's passing. He was my first Judo Sensei at Breithaupt Centre in the early 1970's. He taught us to love the sport, respect our opponents and take pride in our accomplishments. Dave was a true gentleman, mentor, coach and father figure, with an infectious sense of humor. He never forgot a student and always shared a smile and kind word whenever you ran across him in public.I can pay him no greater tribute than to say he enriched my life.

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Celina Sousa and Nic Heldmann posted a condolence

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Dear Barb, our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May the fond memories of Dave bring you and your family some comfort. Celina and Nic, your neighbours from Pennsylvania Crescent.

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Tony Shaman posted a condolence

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

We were sorry learn of Dave's recent passing. His stories and jokes as we drove our kids to gymnastics in Cambridge several times a week made the evening car trips fun for everyone. He was a great communicator and conversationalist. May we extend our deepest condolences to Dave's family in their loss. Tony Shaman and family.

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Bob & Dana Zettl posted a condolence

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Dave was one of my first Judo Instructors when I first startedJudo in the early 1960's. I have a very servers hearing loss. I am totally deaf in my left ear and I wear a very strong high powered hearing aid in my right ear. Before starting Judo, I lacked in self confidence and was made fun of a lot by others on and off the mat. Dave took me under his wing and worked with me every moment that I was on the Judo mat, training. Due to his efforts with me, I got progressively better with my skills. I was convinced to try a Judo tournament and was beaten very badly as I could not hear the referees that were officiating on the mat. This one tournament when Dave coached me at was in London, Ontario. He chose to try something very different with me. He knew that I could read lips pretty well. Somehow he got my attention during a break in the match and had my hearing aid in his hand. He put my hearing aid to his lips and started giving me instructions. I gave him a nod as to let him know that I understood what he was saying. I took his advice and was able to turn the match around, in my favor. I won this match because of this and won several other Judo matches this way because of our new way of communicating with each other. Dave was also my partner for three of my past Black Belt Gradings. I feel that he made a tremendous impact on my Judo. I will miss my friend for a long time to come. Dave will always be in my mind and heart. My family and I want to extend our heart felt Condolences to the Thomas Family. Sincerely yours, The Zettl Family (Bob, Dana, Becky & Andy

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Robert Kniess and Maxine Kubiseski posted a condolence

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Dear Barbara and family, Wishing you are most sincere condolences on the passing of Dave. We shared many great times with him during your time on Pennsylvania Crescent. I personally enjoyed his wit and zest for life. May he rest in peace.

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Sunny & Boyd Field posted a condolence

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

It is with broken hearts that we have to say how sorry we are to hear of Dave's passing. As we reflect on the many years of friendship, we can only say that each time we were together was absolutely wonderful or "some shocking good"- as Dave would like to hear us say. Barb, we hold you and your family in our hearts at this difficult time. We are here for you in any way possible and promise when time permits, together, we will raise a glass and an oyster in loving remembrance of your "one true love". Thank you for sharing your special thoughts in the obituary. It helps a lot during this "strange time" when we need to learn "how to grieve" in a different way. And to each of you, his family, one thing is certain, love is never lost, it will remain with you always!

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Lisa McLaughlin posted a condolence

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Shellie, sending my condolences to you and your family during this difficult time. What a beautiful tribute to your father's life... he seemed like a wonderful man!

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The family of Dave Thomas uploaded a photo

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Dave Thomas

1938 - 2020