HARMON, David - August 7, 1946 - August 2, 2021 - With much sadness the L’Arche Daybreak community in Richmond Hill announces the unexpected death of beloved long-time member David Harmon on Monday night, August 2, 2021 shortly before his 75th birthday.
He is survived by his three sisters, Marilyn Logan of Stouffville, Shirley MacKinnon of Belleville, and Donna Thornhill of Southbend, Indiana.
He was predeceased by his older brothers, Keith and Reid.
The devotion of his parents ensured that David far exceeded the prognosis of doctors.
David was one of the founding members of Daybreak, having lived there 51 years and having seen it transform from a farm to a suburban community. David worked for several years at ARC Industries in Richmond Hill, but he wanted to be a woodworker. He would spend his free time nailing boards in a small wood shop on the Daybreak farm property--until, in the mid-1980s, his desire inspired the establishment of Daybreak’s Woodery. He worked at the Woodery for many years, helping produce tens of thousands of skids and surveyors’ stakes and only gradually retiring to join the “Club,” which offered a slower pace.
David had an eclectic taste. He loved old Laurel and Hardy, and Abott and Costello movies, and equally, military museums. He enjoyed taking part in skits and played the Grinch in Daybreak’s winning lip-sync video last Christmas. He had a vivid imagination, and a remarkable memory for the details of historical events that interested him. He was proud to have a uniform from the American Civil War and to participate in military re-enactments with a men’s group from his Anglican church. He could convincingly insert himself into a story of past events, whether recent or long ago.
David was a faithful friend and enjoyed trips to Nova Scotia and to Europe to visit former Daybreak assistants. He will be remembered for his kindness, his compassion for those who were struggling, his sense of humour, and his elephantine memory for people and events.
Visitation will be held at Marshall Funeral Home, Richmond Hill on Monday, August 9th, 2021.
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