January 18, 1956 – December 13, 2022
David was born in the Stirling Royal Infirmary, Scotland, on January 18, 1956. When he was a toddler, his family emigrated to Sault Ste. Marie, where he grew up. He attended the University of Windsor, graduating with a degree in Communication Studies, and more importantly, starting life-long friendships that he deeply cherished.
He was a skilled musician whose first love was the bass. He loved arranging, Ethnomusicology, guitar, and 'pounding away' on the piano. His innate musicality informed his life and sustained him throughout a career in the TV/Film Industry. David performed in and around Toronto for years and was actively engaged musically until the end of his life.
His other great passion was travel, which he shared with his treasured wife, Cynthia Warn. Together they explored Europe, North Africa, East Asia, North America, and his beloved Scotland. David's many friends will miss his wit and ready laugh. He was a special blend of sweet-and-sarcastic, and thrived on pointing out the ironies of life in a world that he found increasingly hostile to any sane person. But he did so with a charm and warmth that endeared him to a wide circle of friends, colleagues, and neighbours. After spending the greater portion of his life in Toronto, he and Cynthia moved to Cobourg in 2021, and continued visiting his family in Sault Ste. Marie, which he called "God's Country."
The foul plague of cancer took David from us on December 13, 2022. His heartbroken wife and beloved son Richard were by his side. He is deeply mourned by his parents Kathryn and Charles McLaren and sister Aileen Marsh (Christopher), nieces Sabrina, Callie, Heather and Allison Marsh; nephew and niece Tyler and Victoria Koskenoja; cousins Beve Watson (Jamie) of Edinburgh and Carole Lyon of Aix-en-Provence. David's sister Marji Koskenoja predeceased him. His death leaves an empty place in so many lives.
There will be a celebration of life on January 21, 2023 in Toronto. Details will be provided by the union or by contacting family.