It is with infinite sadness the family of David Campbell Benn said goodbye to him on March 29, 2016 in his home, at the age of 61. He courageously fought an aggressive type of prostate cancer and kept his wit and wonderful sense of humour to the end.
David was the epitome of “Live for Today” and that is exactly what he did. A true gentleman, loving husband and best friend of Cathy (nee Bird) for nearly 29 years, extremely proud father of Laura and Cameron, adoring brother to Kathii Benn of Toronto, good friend of his brother-in-law Grant Bird (Brenda) and loved member of the Bird family – Barbara, Alan (Trish), Kevin, Josh, Victoria (Justin) and Zoe. He is predeceased by his parents Ronald and Agnes Benn and father-in-law Peter Bird.
Dave was an accountant for many years before he made the switch to insurance in 1989. Dave and Ross Davey opened Davey & Benn Insurance in 1999 and he moved to run his own brokerage, Benn Insurance in 2013. He loved owning his own business as it gave him the opportunity to work and play golf.
Golf was a big part of Dave’s life and for those who knew him, will never forget how he would remind you that he won a Class A Field Day in 1978. He was a member at Kanata Lakes Golf & Country Club for 20+ years and rarely missed a Thursday men’s night. At the cottage, his favourite place in the world, he was a regular at Hunter’s Creek in Cloyne – often up early to play a round before relaxing on the docks he built.
He was also an avid curler for many years at the Rideau Curling Club and in the past 10 years at the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
Dave was very generous with his time. He volunteered over the years with the Stittsville RAMS, Goulbourn Basketball Association and the IBD Foundation. He was an excellent team manager for son Cameron’s RAMS hockey teams and will always be remembered for his awesome bus trips!
The Benn family would like to thank family physician Dr. Sas, Ottawa General Doctors – Dr. Kendall, Dr. Bhimji and her assistant Shannon, for their excellent care and interest in Dave; and We Care nurses Beth, Tory and Luda for putting up with his humour during their daily visits!
The Benn family would also like to thank Dave’s friends and colleagues for their incredible generosity and support over the past year. As Dave would say “you can never have too many friends” and to all of you who count yourself as one of them, thank you from Cathy, Cameron, Laura, and Kathii.
In true Dave style, a celebration of his life will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Kanata Golf & Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to IBD Foundation would be greatly appreciated (www.ibdfoundation.org).
For anyone planning to attend, please confirm to Dave’s daughter Laura at [email protected].
Thank you,
Mike Lalande
President – Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association
