David Martin Burtt

David passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025 in his 86th year. “Grumps” will be much missed by Ann, his lifelong partner and devoted wife of over 61 years, sons Martin (Tracy) and Stephen (Kellie), and grandchildren Damon, Katie (Mack), Susannah and Avery. Predeceased by his brothers John (Valerie) and Christopher, and by his granddaughter Elizabeth.

Born in Bournemouth, England in 1939, David survived bombing by Hitler, grew up by the seaside and went on to study electrical engineering. In 1964 he married Ann, the girl that he’d met in confirmation class, had two sons, and after working for a few years at Cossor and Plessy, emigrated to Canada with his young family in 1969. Following several years as an engineer at Northern Electric and Bell Northern Research, he joined Transport Canada in 1975. Moving to NAV CANADA on its creation in 1996, he worked on air navigation systems, retiring as Director of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Engineering in 2004. Away from work, he volunteered almost 20 years as a Scout leader in North Gower, turned a field into Grumps’ Woods on his property, kept bees, and was a loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather.

In his well-earned retirement he enjoyed puttering around his garden, walking his springer spaniels, swimming the equivalent of the English Channel in his pool, listening to his favourite jazz records, travelling to Formula 1 races around the world and drinking rum on the beach in Cuba with Ann, driving his vintage Jaguar, teaching his grandchildren to solve quadratic equations and following AFC Bournemouth’s rise to the Premier League. He also treasured his weekly conversations with “Pops”, his brother in England.

In more recent years, David would read the Saturday paper obituaries “to see if I’m in there”. We are sad to say that today you are.

Thank you to the nurses, doctors and staff at Kemptville District Hospital for their care in his final weeks.

In accordance with David’s wishes, there will not be a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Kemptville District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.