Remembering David Harry James Mulholland
In Tillsonburg, Ontario after a lengthy and challenging battle with cancer, The Lord called Dave home on Monday, July 29, 2019 at the age of 75.
Much-loved husband and best friend of 49 years of Betty-Ann (Bennett) Mulholland, nicknamed “Bam” by Dave. Beloved brother of Jim McGuigan (June), Sheila McDougall (Dan) and Dick Mulholland (Connie). Loving father to Jo-Ann Longworth and Linda Leahy (Michael). Wonderful grandfather known as Ruggy, to Samantha, Kyle, Michael and Liam. Dave will be fondly remembered by seven nieces and nephews as well as many, many friends too numerous to count.
David Harry James Mulholland was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 23, 1944 to the late James and Gertrude (McGrath) Mulholland. At 20 years old he began working for Air Canada where he spent his entire career working in Flight Operations/Dispatch in Montreal (1967 - 1979) and Toronto (1979 - 2001).
He lived and loved life to the fullest. Dave was filled with the spirit of life, kindness and loyalty; he never met a stranger. To know him was to love him. His passion was playing golf at home and during his winters in Florida. Dave was a member of Summerlea Golf and Country Club in Montreal, Quebec and The Club at North Halton in Ontario, and more recently frequented Otter Creek Golf Club in Otterville, Ontario. He often organized games for large groups of friends, usually followed by dinner at a local pub, where Dave, nicknamed “Ruggy”, entertained the group and many laughs were had. From a young age, Dave could also be found at the curling rink, playing in bonspiels throughout North America and Europe.
Dave was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1964. In Florida, Dave could frequently be found serving lunch to the homeless at the Soup Kitchen in Pompano Beach.
Memories of Dave would not be complete without a funny story:
“Old Seamus is sitting in an Irish pub on Christmas eve having a whisky before going home to face the holiday festivities.The bartender leans over the bar and says, ‘Seamus, I’m closing up and going home to the family’. Seamus nods and says, ‘just one more for the road’. So the bartender fills up a mickey of his best whiskey, it being Christmas and all, and hands it to old Seamus wishing him all the best for the holiday season. Seamus makes his way out of the pub and walking down the path slips on a patch of ice and falls heavily to the ground. He felt a warm, sticky sensation down the back of his leg and mutters, ‘Jaesus, I hope that’s blood’.”
Visitation will be held Friday afternoon August 2, 2019 from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the MAURICE J. VERHOEVE FUNERAL HOMES - BURIAL AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 262 Broadway, Tillsonburg, Ontario (519-842-4238). Parish Prayers will take place on Friday at 5:00 pm in the funeral home chapel by Deacon Andre DeDecker and Knights of Columbus Prayers will follow at 5:15 pm. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Church, 51 Venison St. W, Tillsonburg, Ontario, followed by inurnment in the Tillsonburg Cemetery. A light lunch will be served after at Otter Creek Golf Club, 275 James St., Otterville, Ontario. Condolences, memories and photos can be shared at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com.
For our friends in Florida, a memorial service will be held Monday, August 26, 2019 at 10:30 am at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 731 N Ocean Blvd, Pompano Beach, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, Dave would appreciate if you performed an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for someone less fortunate, or made a donation to your favourite charity.
Both Dave and Betty-Ann would like to acknowledge the amazing support and kindness of their friends in these last weeks and months.