Life Stories
David Pratt
David Pratt (1958 BA History) died on 9 April 2024 aged 84.
With admiration for his resolve and commitment to a person’s right to choose, we are deeply saddened to share that David Pratt died peacefully with Medical Assistance in Dying on the 9th of April 2024. David was surrounded by loving family and friends.
David was born in Worthing, Sussex, England on 4 November 1939. As the middle son of Major James Henry Pratt, a military veteran of two World Wars, and Deaconess Kathleen Pratt, his early life with his brothers consisted of many moves throughout England. This led to a lifelong passion for travel, exploration and the English countryside.
David’s guidance, integrity and generosity of spirit will be especially missed by his daughters, Kathleen (Roman) and Rosemary, his son Jonathan (Kim), and his grandchildren Ella, Calum, Eli, Clara and Charlie. Predeceased by his older brother Michael (Edna), David is also survived by his loved brother Tim (late Maggie) and nephews and nieces Robert, Andrew, Catherine, Liz, Anthony and Suzie, his Lindler in-laws spread throughout the United States, and his dear friends Ron Common, Lorraine Frost, and Debbie Earl, as well as a village of close friends, former colleagues, and fellow writers.
David had a deep commitment to teaching and to lifelong learning. After demonstrating his resilience and determination in Manchester Grammar School, he earned a scholarship to Oxford University. He then went on to greater academic heights, with a fellowship to Harvard University and completing his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Education at University of Toronto. For his contributions to the field of Education, David was granted a PhD (hon) from Nippissing University. While working as Professor of Education at Queen’s University for almost 30 years, he published two major texts on curriculum before pursuing his love of writing full-time. David was often heralded by former students as an outstanding teacher in the field of education. He received numerous awards in both education and writing, and was justifiably proud of the eight books he authored, including his popular anthology, The Impossible Takes Longer: The 1,000 Wisest Things Ever Said by Nobel Prize Laureates. In addition, David’s articles, poetry and short stories have appeared in many newspapers, literary journals and anthologies in the United States, Canada, Britain and Australia.
When not travelling internationally to learn languages, or touring throughout the Greek Islands and other exotic locales with his best friend, and fellow trouble maker, Ron, he was most happy spending time at his property on Bass Lake. He could often be found there, grilling steak on his barbecue or sipping his favourite Darjeeling tea or a glass of sherry. Content with these simple refreshments, he enjoyed reading the Manchester Guardian or a good book or playing Scrabble with friends, surrounded by the oaks and maple trees which line the slopes leading down to the lake.
Known for his robust constitution, David survived several cancers over 20 years. As a long-standing member and ardent supporter of Dying with Dignity Canada, when David was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer in 2023, he chose to not suffer any further its ruthless late-stage indignities.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the outstanding care provided to David by all the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff while he was at Kingston General Hospital, The Transitional Care Unit and Providence Care Hospital.
In particular, the family will be eternally grateful for the compassionate care offered by PSWs, particularly Lana Brunshaw, John Wade and Sima Baniya, as well as Nadia Keyes at Limestone City Home Health Care
In honour of David’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. A private celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memories and tributes may be shared at www.jamesreidfuneralhome.com.
Kindly provided by his son Jonathan Pratt.