David Gordon Tamblyn has now joined his parents William (Bill) and Marguerite (Mugs) Tamblyn, sailing the spiritual world after battling brain cancer these past 22 months. David was born nine months after his maternal grandfather’s passing and was felt to be the “angel” child for Vera McCavour. When his younger brother Rob was born, David all but moved in with his grandmother, enjoying TV dinners in front of the television set and gaining an ever-growing collection of dinky toys. He was a spoiled child!
While Dave was not initially interested in the education system, it was to become his life work. Dave attended Isabella Public School, in Thunder Bay, and then Belmont School in London, England. His junior high and high school years were spent at Ashbury College in Ottawa. While attending school wasn’t Dave’s favourite pastime, Dave surprised the world by attending Lakehead University and going into education. Dave’s career path blossomed when Dave learned to speak French and became the French Teacher at Schreiber Public School. Dave went on to take his Masters in Education to become a principal then superintendent and finally Director of Education for the Superior Greenstone District School Board. Dave’s love of Lakehead University grew from his father’s influence as the first president of Lakehead University. Dave would go on to be on the Board of Governors and Chair of the Board
Though Dave was known as ‘one gear Dave’ to his family, Dave excelled at many sports including sailing kayaking, ice boating, skiing but not tennis! His passion for kayaking steered him to create Superior Outfitters as his ‘summer job’. This led to a lasting contribution, as Dave made accessible voyaging on Lake Superior. He was, perhaps, the first person to bring sea kayaks and instruction to Lake Superior shores. Dave is remembered so well as a patient teacher and supporter to so many who found their way to him. His ‘love for the lake’ led Dave to lead and join many advocacy and preservation groups focused on Superior. Whether it was education or Superior, Dave’s work was much appreciated by the communities he served.
David loved to travel, having been to the Bahamas, Great Britain, Europe, Costa Rica and New Zealand. He had hoped for more travelling with his partner, Ruth, as he had recently retired.
Dave is survived by his best friend Ruth Lepp, her children Mitch (Vanesha Pamayah) and Carly (Adam Palmer). Dave’s siblings include Ian (Amanda Shaughnessy), Cherie (Larry Freeman) Michael (Verona Leslie), Sally (Dick Hagman) and Rob (Val Ramseyer). Dave was also known as the big tease to his many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. But his pride and joy was his grand daughter Zoey, the light of his life who provided great humour during his battle with cancer.
The family would like to thank Dave’s care team including: Dr. Haq, Dr. Anthes, Dr.Faghih, and especially his family physician and neighbour Dr. Dave Hurst. Extreme thanks to Dr. Kathleen Simpson and Paul Carrier for their support and guidance on this journey.
A celebration of David’s life will be taking place at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Lake Superior High School in Terrace Bay.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Gichi Kendaawasiwin Centre Fund, Lakehead University, the Canadian Cancer Society or the McCausland Hospital in Terrace Bay.
