CLYDE, David Clyde

It is with great sadness that the family of David Clyde announce his passing, at the age of 84, on January 29, 2026, sadness that is tempered with gratitude that he slipped away peacefully surrounded by his loving children.

David is survived by his beloved daughters Ruth Henry (Ron), Colleen McKee (George), and Lena Gervais (Rick).  Sadly missed and fondly remembered by his grandchildren Daniel (Megan), Michael (Kendra), and Natalie (Eric) McDiarmid, Amber Henry, Ansley Thornton, Kit Thornton-Adams (Chris), Zachary (Cassandra), Jadzia, and Xavier Gervais.  Also remembered by his great-grandchildren Lily, Maya, Ezri, Ruby, Owen, Fiona, Tyson, Rosalie and Atticus.

Remembering David with a smile are his siblings Albert, Sean (Margaret), Doreen (David), Charlie, And Norma (John), and many nieces and nephews, in Canada, Ireland and Northern Ireland.

David was predeceased by his parents John and Hester Clyde, his eldest sister Ruth Jackson, and his infant grandson Ryan Clyde Gervais.

David emigrated to Canada from Banbridge, Northern Ireland in 1961, settling in the Almonte area working as a painter/decorator. David continued his love of bagpipes in Canada, playing in several bands including the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and was instrumental in the organization of the inaugural North Lanark Highland Games.  In 1981 he formed the MacEóin-Ramsay Pipe Band, comprised of area pipers and some of his many piping students. He was a composer of many bagpipe tunes and published the Heritage Collection Vol 1 in 2011.

Recently, several of David’s former students from the 1990s revived MacEóin-Ramsay, carrying and reflecting his lifelong joy and passion for piping; their early success in competitions was a source of great pleasure to David.  They honoured him by choosing the David Clyde (personal) tartan for the band uniform; designed in 2011 by David and formally acknowledged by the Scottish Register of Tartans in 2018.  The family is grateful that David’s musical legacy is carried forward by such dedicated and talented players.

In his later years, although David struggled with the effects of Parkinson’s, he did so with grace and always showed his appreciation to his care-givers. The family is grateful for the outstanding care and compassion shown to Dad by the 7th floor staff at CarlingView Manor during his time there, and especially in the last 5 days.

Visitation with the family will take place at the Alan R Barker Funeral Home, 19 McArthur Avenue, Carleton Place on Friday February 6th 2026, from 3:00-5:00 pm. This will be followed with a celebration of life and a musical interval from the MacEóin-Ramsay pipe band at the Carleton Place Legion at 6 pm.

For those who wish, donations to the MacEoin Ramsay Pipe Band (by e-transfer to mrpb.ottawa@gmail.com) or the Royal Canadian Legion, Carleton Place Branch 192 would be appreciated.