David Wayne Douthwright

David Wayne Douthwright passed away peacefully on Jan 22, 2021 after a long battle with cancer, in his home of Combermere, Ontario. He was surrounded by close, loving family.

David was born on June 29, 1943 in Moncton, New Brunswick and raised by his adoptive parents Harold and Gertrude. David's formative years as a Scout leader laid a foundation for his love of education, nature, creativity and resourcefulness. He graduated from Mount Allison University, taught high school, and studied Montessori education in England where he met his first wife Anna (nee Burningham). Together they moved to London, Ontario where they started a Montessori school. After joining the Catholic Church, David founded the Mustard Seed; a Catholic gift and bookstore. His Catholic faith was central to his life and integral in his role as a husband, dad, grandpa and friend. Anna and David raised their family of 6 children in a loving London community, enjoying many summers on Lake Huron and at Cana Colony and Nazareth formed and inspired by Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario.

After Anna's passing and David's retirement from the Mustard Seed, David found his way back to the Madawaska Valley where he married Posie McPhee. He was embraced by the community and together their families became one.

Some of David's accomplishments and interests include founding his much loved men's groups and retreats, helping with Marriage Encounter, self publishing his own book and being a member of the Catholic charismatic renewal. David loved to putter and work with his hands and his beloved Huckleberry, the Madawaska River Houseboat, was enjoyed and cherished by all of his children & grandchildren.

He will be remembered for his delightful clown act as Nino, his sweet harmonica playing skills and signature bird song whistle. Davids's legacy will live on through his wife Posie (McPhee), his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his children of deceased first wife Anna (Burningham); Hannah , late Billy Jack, Joseph (Dominique), Ruth (Garrincha), Francis (Megan) and Theresa (Aubrey).

Posie's children; Becky, Amber (Matt), Shanti (Schroeder), Chris (Sarah), Emily (Cody), Lucy (Jordan), Dominic (Natalie), David (Natalie)

Loved by his many grandchildren; Nicholas, Lucas, Jacob, Lilyanna, Djavan, Owen, Liam, Sasha, Felicity, Christian, Sebastian, Sophia, Anna, Selina, Megan, Trinity, Nadia, Grace, Celeste (Robbie), Isaac, Lucia, Hannah, Dominic, Nathan, Calum, Luna, Solana, Norah, Marshall, Seamus, Opal, Fiona, Milo, Elliot, Zosia, Logan and Aspyn.

David was loved and cherished by so many and he will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at Heubner Funeral Home in Barry's Bay on Monday, January 25, 2021 from 6-8pm. You must book a time slot via the RSVP below or by calling the funeral home at 613-756-2003. UPDATE: All slots are now full for the visitation.

Private funeral Mass will be held at Holy Canadian Martyrs Parish in Combermere on Tuesday, Jan 26, 2021 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the following:
Campaign Life Coalition https://www.campaignlifecoalition.com/donate/
StandupGirl.com https://standupgirl.com/donate/
Euthansia Prevention Coalition https://www.epcc.ca/contact-us/donate/
Bancroft Pregnancy Care Centre https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/3786
Madawaska Valley Hospice Palliative Care http://www.madawaskavalleyhospicepalliativecare.com/how-to-donate

Due to provincial directives/current lockdown measures, the maximum number of people in the funeral home/church at any time is 10. For visitations, 10 people are permitted per 15 minute interval with 15 minutes to clean in between. When you enter you must keep a minimum distance of 6 feet between you at all times. This means no hugging, handshakes or other forms of contact with people outside of your household. Masks are now mandatory to enter the funeral home/church/service location. You must remain outside in your vehicle (no waiting outside the funeral home/service location) and wait for your scheduled time and you must sign in with your name and phone number once you enter for contact tracing purposes. Please also ensure you use the hand sanitizer as requested. We no longer take donations, but there are links and phone numbers below to donate directly to each organization if applicable.