David passed away peacefully at Lennox & Addington County General Hospital on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, with his sister Anne, brother John and special friend Helen Hewitt by his side. Born in Cobourg, Ontario on August 24, 1945, he was the first child of Max and Muriel Thain. He grew up on the Thain family farm west of Warkworth where he took part in milking cows, ploughing fields, baling hay and threshing grain. An excellent student from an early age, he started at a one-room schoolhouse at S. S. No. 4 Percy Township and later attended Campbellford District High School. After high school, he earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts & Science degree from Queens University while still working on the farm during summers.
Dave dedicated his entire career to education. He initially taught mathematics at Crestwood Secondary School in Peterborough, Norwood District High School and Napanee District High School where he became Head of the Math Department and later Vice Principal. He also served as Vice Principal at North Addington Education Centre in Cloyne for many years and spent a year as Acting Principal at Enterprise Public School. Additionally, he was Vice Principal at Ernestown Secondary School in Odessa. Dave always made time for his students and had a special talent for teaching math in a way that was easy to grasp. In the early days of computers, he strongly advocated for their presence in schools and promoted computer science as a valuable skill for students.
Music was another passion for Dave; he was a talented amateur musician. He taught himself how to play piano, keyboards, guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, harmonica and stand-up bass. He could call square dances when needed and loved treating his extended family to professional musical performances. A strong supporter of the Napanee Legion, Dave played a key role in bringing music nights to that branch where his own amateur group “The Treble Makers” performed several times.
Throughout his life, Dave enjoyed the love of three wonderful women. He married his high school sweetheart Katherine Curle in 1969 and together they renovated an old farmhouse near Campbellford. Later on, he married Carol Batt and became stepfather to Steven and Lesley Batt. His close relationship with Lesley continued until the end since she lived in an apartment behind his home in Napanee. His dear friend Helen Hewitt along with her daughter Sherry Hewitt and granddaughter Shaylynn Hewitt have also been significant people in Dave’s life over many years now. As her Papa, he took great pride in supporting Shaylynn’s talents both academically and musically as she prepared to attend Toronto Metropolitan University this fall.
While living in Napanee for many years, around 1980 he bought a cottage on Marble Lake which served as a base during his teaching days at Cloyne. The cottage held a special place in his heart; it became a venue for family gatherings and parties with friends from the area. Recently he ran it successfully as a rental business.
Dave is survived by his sister Anne Parker (Gary), brother John Thain (Sandra), nieces Karen Wright (Doug), Rhonda Thain (Leon) and Michelle Thain (Mike), nephew Stephen Parker (Meghan), great nephews Mason Wright, Blake Wright and Aidan Parker as well as great niece Makenna Parker. His extended family includes Katherine Curle; Carol along with Al Grant; Steve and Shari Batt along with their children Aaron and Samantha; plus Lesley Batt with her children Alison and Matthew.
Dave opted for cremation without having an immediate funeral service planned. The family intends to hold a Celebration of Dave’s Life this spring instead. Donations made in Dave’s memory can be directed toward the Canadian Cancer Society or The Lennox & Addington County General Hospital Foundation or Royal Canadian Legion Branch 137 (Napanee) or any charity you prefer. Online condolences along with photos or memories can be shared at www. milestonecremationcervice. ca.
Please note – The family kindly requests that third party websites please do not publish this content or any content on their website without permission. Thank-you.
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