David Higham was a 91-year-old renaissance man and inspiration, who “fell off the twig” on September 18th, at his nursing home in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

He is reunited with the love of his life and crossword partner, Mary Margretta, his oldest grandchild, Nick, son-in-law, Guy, his best friends and Mahjong partners, Auntie Mo and Uncle Ro, his sisters, Veronica Mineter and Julie Fullelove, and many more dear friends and family.

He is leaving behind five children and five grandchildren: David Paul (wife Marion and children Corey, Kelsey, Gavin and Keilagh), Elizabeth (daughter Jessica Babeu), Katharine Papak, Kirsten Weagle (husband Steven) and Philip (partner Heather Wilson).

David first journeyed across the Atlantic in 1966 when he emigrated from England with his family, to begin teaching Mathematics at Mount Allison University. He was an extraordinary teacher, often holding his classes in an auditorium due to the number of students signing up for his courses. Standing on stage, he would begin each term with the words, “mathematics is beautiful.” And, he made it so.

He had an appreciation for Jazz (especially Chris Barber), Peggy Lee (When I am too Old to Dream), Dire Straits (Sultans of Swing) and the Stones (‘Blue & Lonesome’) and was blessed with a musical mind of his own. He could pick up and play almost any instrument he laid his hands on – especially his clarinet, his trumpet, his keyboard, his old church organ and… his bagpipes. (Okay, not the pipes, but we never told him.)

He was an avid fan of rugby (having played well as a young man), tennis, snooker, hamburgers and Bugs Bunny. And, not necessarily in that order.

Constantly curious, and always learning, he explored his creativity through woodworking, watercolor painting, photography and marquetry. He could change the brakes on his car, drywall like a demon and build, and do, absolutely anything he set his mind to.

To this end, he made his final transatlantic journey in 2017, when he returned to his Canadian home on the Queen Mary II accompanied by two of his daughters, Lizz and Kath, and long- time ‘adopted’ daughter, Doreen Beaton. Seven days at sea at 90 years old.

He lived his final year at his Shannex Nursing Home in Halifax, with grace and quiet humour where he entertained his daughters, Kath and Kirsten, every day, including his last.

To Dad, Bompa, Uncle David, “Mister”, Professor Higham, Dear Friend…
“Goodnight, Darling One… we’ll see you on the bridge at midnight.”

David’s funeral will be held on Saturday, September 29 @ 1 pm at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish in Upper Tantallon, Nova Scotia.

His ashes will be buried with his Love’s, at St. Margaret of Scotland cemetery, Glen Margaret.