In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

 

David Bigelow Coulson

 

Captain (Navy), RCN(R) / C.A.F. (Nav Res)

 

Born: 18 Mar 1931

 

Died: 29 Dec 2022, Kingston, Ontario

 

COULSON, David Bigelow, Dr. - The family of Dr. David Coulson sadly announces his death on December 29,2022 in Kingston, Ontario, with his stepdaughter Rosemary by his side. Born March 18, 1931 to Robert Berry McAllen Coulson and Florence May Bigelow, he attended local schools in Port Arthur and received his Medical Degree from Queen's University in 1955. In 1952, he married his childhood sweetheart Patricia Ilau Tetley. Upon graduation, David and family returned to Port Arthur where David signed on to work at the Port Arthur Clinic as one of the early partners.

 

David was an active member of the Canadian Naval Reserve and rose to the rank of Captain (Navy) serving as Senior Naval Reserve Medical Advisor and the Canadian Representative to the NATO committee of the Interallied Conference of Reserve Medical Officers. David was the Commanding Officer of HMCS Griffon, the first Medical Officer to hold that honour. Known throughout the Naval Reserve as “Doc”, he was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration with clasp and inducted as an Officer in the Knights of St. Lazarus.

 

Following Pat's death in January, 1992, David married Beverley Wilson in September, 1992 and spent the next thirty years having adventures and watching their families grow. David and Beverley moved to St. Anthony, Newfoundland where they both worked at the Curtis Memorial Hospital before moving on to Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia, Kingston, Ontario and finally returning to Thunder Bay with David practicing in Primary Care in each location. He retired from the Port Arthur Clinic in 2012 at the age of 81.

 

David was predeceased by his parents, his first wife Pat, and his daughter Jane. He is survived by his wife Beverley, daughters Anne (Ray) Zuliani, Mary (John) Gardam, Rev. Susan (Peter) Ivany, son-in-law Frank Edgson, stepchildren Dr. Rosemary Wilson (Jim Colquhoun), George Wilson (Kerri Harris) as well as 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

 

The family extends a sincere thank you to the following for care provided to David: The staff of Montreal 4, Providence Manor and Hildegard Day Care, KFLA Home and Community Care Services, Dr. Jane Glassco, Dr. Chris Frank, The Royal Canadian Legion (Ontario Command) and the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

 

A celebration of David's life will take place later this year, with more information to follow.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory may be made to The St. John's (Portsmouth) Anglican Church Foodbank in Kingston, 41 Church St, Kingston, ON K7M 1H2, The Thunder Bay Food Bank or the Charity of Your Choice.

 

In care of Simpler Times Cremation Service. (The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal 04 Jan 2023)

 

Ships served in:

HMCS GRIFFON

 


 

Crossed the Bar Index

 

HOME PAGE     SHIP INDEX      CONTACT