David Allen Blackman, of Ottawa, Ontario, passed away on February 13, 2021 from complications from pneumonia.
David was born December 10, 1940 in Woodstock, Ontario. He lived most of his life in Ottawa, a city that was dear to him. His career spanned working at Parliament Hill, Rideau Hall, and as a public servant at the Department of National Defense.
He had many passions, primarily the Royal Family, British history, Canadian issues, the military, and the church. He was keen to see history and culture honoured, and city spaces beautified.
He embodied a servant spirit, carrying out roles with dignity and grace, putting others above himself, and not drawing undue attention to himself. He was also an avid writer of letters, giver of gifts, teller of stories, and he treated everyone around him with sincere kindness.
David was predeceased by his father William James Blackman, mother Alice Siegfried (Haverfield), and stepmother Joy Blackman (Basset). He is survived by his half-brother Richard Blackman, sister-in-law Miwa Blackman and family, half-sister Beverly Loo (Blackman) and family, and cousins Andrew Blackman, Sue Ettrich, Daphne Johnson, and others in the United Kingdom.
His family would like to thank David’s friend David Follini, for all his care for David over the past few years.
Arrangements entrusted to Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services. Messages of condolence may be left at www.beechwoodottawa.ca. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bruyère Foundation (bruyere.org) in support of their Brain and Memory Program.
Digital Guestbook
Charles Seems
Peter Scotchmer
David remains for me the epitome of gentle understatement and courtesy. I remember his passion for order, good government, and seemly behaviour. He was passionately interested in Anglicanism, and was for years a crucifer at St. Alban's Church. He knew and admired my father when they both worked for the National Energy Board here in Ottawa. David was a good man.
Mark Curfoot-Mollington
I have known David for 45 years. He was a Christian gentleman of the old school. He was always well-dressed, respectful, and most of all kind. At St Alban-the Martyr Church he contributed so much as Master of Ceremonies. He patiently trained generations of young people as servers. He'll be greatly missed.
Cheryl Shuttler O'Neal
David is my cousin/ almost older brother...My mother was his Aunt Ellen, youngest sister of David's father my Uncle Bill...I will miss you always David,our time together when you visited the states has left me with joyous memories..Your love for my Mother was a gift she always cherished..Prayers and love from Erick Amy, their children Benjamin and Madeline Brent and Jeff send their love and will miss your visits..We will miss your letters and card exchanges through out the years..I will especially and already do miss those lovely happy laughter filled 3hour Sunday night phone calls..You are and will always be a part of us and you are missed with all my heart...David the "palm tree "fills my window Every day you and Uncle Bill will be remembered every time I look at her ?...God speed David...love you..❤️
Brent Kirker
I've known my cousin David my whole life...I will miss him always...I wish he could have visited to add his great ideas to my new home...prayers cousin you will be missed ...❤️
Andrew J Blackman
I Am one of David’s many English Cousins .
We are very lucky that he made contact with us in 1985 , and with his investigating the family tree got to connect and meet up with many of us .
We have had many memories with various cousins who have connected with him .
He loved the trips to England , seeing the history, the Palaces , we went to Hampton Court, home of Henry V111 , we caught the tube back into London and then went different directions .
I remember we both wanted to make the day longer and didn’t want to say goodbye .
We have had many late phone calls over the years , catching up , having a laugh and giving support to each other .
We always said , if only we were just around the corner.
I am so glad I went to see David at his home in 2019 , staying in Residence, so able to catch up a few times each day , over a week .
You have been a big part in my life for 35 years .
Thank you for being you , a kind , thoughtful man with many qualities to be cherished.
It is so hard to say goodbye to a dear friend and family member much loved .
God bless you David
Forever missed and loved .
Cousin Andrew
Can I also send thoughts , thanks and best wishes to all David’s family and friends in Canada and America, my family and all those in England .
Feeling this great loss .
Love
Cousin Andrew
England
Alan Nigra
David was a special friend of mine, we got through some hard times together. When Mary passed away he was there for me. I appreciate you David, I wish Pneumonia would have taken me instead. RIP
Condolences to the Black family. I met David in the early 1980’s. He was a kind and generous man. How well I remember his stories of his years working as a footman for the Governor General. He was so proud of that accomplishment. In his apartment on Metcalfe Street ( at the corner McLaren), from the sidewalk you could see the many wonderful house plants he nurtured. He certainly had a green thumb.
May he rest in peace!