Photo Karen Graham. An enthusiastic participant in community events, Dave always brought asense of humour, a smile and a thoughtful perspective to his encounters,sharing his wisdom without lecturing. He was happy to wear this MinorHockey jacket at the Harvest Dinner in 2019, embracing its theme offundraising for the Cavan Monaghan Community Centre.
Another month and another blow to the community as we mark the passing of another local hero. On Thursday Sept 28th, David Brackenridge passed away suddenly at the age of 79.
After graduating from the University of Guelph in 1966 with a B.Sc. in Agriculture from Guelph he began his career working for Canada Packers in the fertilizer division based out of Petrolia, Ontario. This is where he met his wife Carolyn at a local coffee shop which he frequently visited more frequently after meeting his waitress. 2 years later they were married, and in 1970, moved back to the township to start his career in farming on the property his father Ernest had purchased from the Challice family in 1966.
He gave his time generously to the agricultural community. The long list of organizations on which he served include The Millbrook and Peterborough Agricultural Societies, President of the Peterborough County Federation of Agriculture, Provincial Director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), President, Peterborough County Pork Producers, Director of Ontario Food Grains, founding member of the Corn Producers of Ontario, and serving in the local 4-H organization.
As long-time friends and travelling companion Wilson and Jean Larmer explain, Dave’s love of agriculture even spilled into their holiday plans, influencing their travel destinations.
Faith played an important role in his life. Dave found ways to serve his faith community at the Centreville Presbyterian Church by serving on the Regional Council of Ontario, and the Trent Chaplaincy Board. He and his wife Carolyn reinstituted the church Youth group, helping coordinate their trip to the Dominican Republic where they assisted a missionary group along with their Grandchildren supporting infrastructure for local residents.
Community was on Dave’s mind in other ways as well. He spent a decade as chair of the Millbrook Foodshare, ensuring vulnerable local residents had access to a secure source of food. Clarke Mayhew who volunteered alongside Dave and eventually assumed the chairperson role, explains that while Dave may have chaired the organization, he was not influenced by his title. He was a hands-on leader, picking up and delivering supplies while ensuring there was no opportunity lost to promote the organization which exemplified another important attribute to Dave’s character.
Dave was the consummate gentleman, always using his words carefully. Everyone comments that Dave not only asked the question, but listened intently to the answer with both ears and his whole heart. He engaged in every conversation, and remembered it next time they talked. He knew how to work, but he also knew how to laugh, enjoying social times with friends and family who never doubted his commitment to them. He will be remembered as a man of great love, faith, wisdom, and will be sorely missed. KG
