It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, David Ian Law, peacefully at Lauriston Farm in St. Lazare on January 10 after a sixteen year battle with cancer. Predeceased by his parents David A. Law and Helen Gertrude Law (née Davis). Mourning his loss are his wife of 45 years Pamela (née Evans), cherished daughter Alexa (Allan Bean), and his three siblings Alan (Eve) of St Lazare, John (Cathy) of Ottawa, and Tom (Hélène) of Mt. Tremblant, as well as his beloved aunts Diana Davis and Peggy Porter. Also deeply missed by nieces and nephews and their children: Jennifer (Andrew), Christopher (Erin), Michael (Nancy), Kelly (Michael), and Keith (Breena) Law; Matthew (Caroline), Lisa (Edward), Timothy and Megan Owen Evans as well as many cousins and their families.
David’s first love, after his family, was farming. The family farm was his passion and he had looked forward to celebrating its centennial in 2021. At an early age he raised chickens and sold eggs, then went on to grow grain and sweet corn, raise beef cattle, and he even allowed his horse-crazy wife and daughter to have some “hay burners” in residence on the farm.
His second passion was the water. Boating was his livelihood, as well as his solace. David founded and ran Can-Am Marine Transit Ltd. for forty years, moving boats both large and small across North America. He employed many locals as drivers, and they became both loyal employees and friends to a boss who showed them respect and support, many keeping in touch with him to this day. He also founded and ran CMF Ltd., which manufactured boat trailers and boat cradles, as well as his own invention, the CMF Trailift hydraulic boat trailer. The businesses were headquartered close to home where he was near his cows and fields. Serving on the Executive of Allied Boating, David made many friends in the boating industry that he cherished all his life. He never forgot someone who was kind to him in his business life, and he was able to do the same for so many.
A devoted member of Hudson Yacht Club, David served on the Board of Directors from 1982-1989, becoming one of HYC’S youngest Commodores in 1988, and he rejoined the Board for a second stint from 2010-2016. David was awarded HYC’S greatest accolade, the HYC Honorary Lifetime Membership in 2017, a very proud moment for him. He was involved in many projects at the Club including the recent lifting and refurbishing of the clubhouse after the devastating floods of 2017. He thoroughly enjoyed helping out with his ideas or equipment whenever he could.
David spent many happy hours sailing on Downfields and power boating on Downfields II with family and friends. He was able to enjoy many boat trips to the Thousand Islands, Lake Champlain, Georgian Bay, the Rideau, the BC coast as well as almost daily jaunts on the Lake of Two Mountains in summer. He enjoyed 10 winters skiing in Telluride, Colorado with its perfect snow, beautiful scenery, and balmy weather. His final project, the rebuilding of his 1929 Studebaker (which he purchased at age 14) to roadworthiness was completed this fall, and David drove his antique car around Hudson before the snow arrived.
There was almost nothing that didn’t capture David’s interest, and his curious mind was always at work. His humor was legendary, and there was no greater pleasure than pranking friends and family. David made friends wherever he went, and he valued every one. He loved to chat with people to learn about their interests. He genuinely loved people and they knew it, rewarding his kindness with their friendship a true gentleman in every respect, David lived an honorable and exceptional life, and his quiet, kind, solid presence will be deeply missed by both his family and friends.
The family would like to sincerely thank David’s doctors Dr. Ingrid Hings, Dr. Petr Kavan, and Dr. Bernard Lapointe as well as the wonderful Hudson NOVA nurses and caregivers.
A celebration of David’s life will take place in the spring with more details to be announced at a later date.
For those who wish, donations in the David’s memory can be made to NOVA Hudson and would be greatly appreciated.
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