David Russell Charles Mahar

Our brother Dave passed this earthly coil at 9:09 pm on Monday, April 25, 2022 and our hearts are broken.

He was the kindest, funniest, and most sincere guy you could meet. He was also most often the smartest guy in the room. Only rookies would take him on in Trivial Pursuit. He was Wyatt Earp and everyone else were the Clanton brothers.

A soldier’s son, he loved the Canadian Army and proudly served with 1st Hussars in the 1960’s. A mother’s son, he was devoted to our Mom, and inherited her razor-sharp wit, always able to laugh at himself, never laughing “at” anyone.

A graduate of Fanshawe College’s communications program, his skill and personality were soon recognized, and he became an on-air personality on CFPL London’s “Morning Break”, a local pre-Canada AM morning news show. He rode the whale at Marineland, wrestled the circus bear, became an experienced sports parachutist, kept his co-hosts Jim & Carol, in stitches, and his face graced the advertising panels of London Transit buses. He sat on the Exec of the London Press Club and was “a man about town”.

His acting chops, honed under the brilliant directorship of Art Fidler at Oakridge Secondary School, drew him to London’s Community Players theatre group and he graced the stage in many performances through the years.

In the early 80s, Dave found his 2nd home and began a 32-year career at Joe Kool’s; the iconic London bar & restaurant created & owned by Mike Smith and managed with pride & care by Ron Scarfone. Kool’s became Dave’s family. It merged in his DNA and Rina, Ross, Pam, Moe, Lucretia and a thousand others became his brothers and sisters.

Dave retired in 2015, which gave him more time to indulge his passion for reading; military non-fiction and in recent years, a love for James Patterson. Dave loved his Habs, was mourning the passing of Guy Lafleur this week, and loved watching the NFL; Dallas Cowboys were a favourite.

Health challenges began to hinder Dave but not keep him down. He had an indomitable spirit and optimism that couldn’t be beaten. We called him Lazarus when he thumbed his nose at death in 2016 and came back strong and confident. The past year has been a particular challenge following a broken hip in the summer and a number of issues that followed. He had a crisis on Monday morning and this hill was too high. Our bright Irish brother, fiercely proud of his heritage & beloved PEI family, is at rest.

Our hearts are broken, but he will be with us always, his humour and good nature giving us something to smile about, to lift us when the headwind is strong. He’ll help us through. We love you, Dave… You’re our brother; our uncle. We’re proud of you, we love you for who you are, and you will be with us forever.

Dave is survived by his three brothers; Bob (Ann), Columbus, Ga.; Don (Carol Anne) Gloucester, On.; and Ralph (Sonja), Nepean On. He is lovingly remembered by his nieces & nephews; Cathie (Hank), Mike (Angie), Scott (Marta), Chelsea (Mike) and Tim (Jenn) and eleven grandnieces & grandnephews; Lexy, George, Ashlyn, Austin, Kyle, Gibson, Autumn, Elle, Cole, Finnley and Charleigh, and one great grandniece; Ansley.

Dave was predeceased by our father, Bob (2011), our mother Sally (1999), our sister Mary Lynn (1945) and our sister Lynda (2003).

Cremation has taken place.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted in the chapel of Westview Funeral Chapel (709 Wonderland Road North, London) on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. with the service beginning at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow at a private family graveside service at 2:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Cemetery, London. Celebration of Dave’s life will continue from 4:00 p.m. at Joe Kool’s (595 Richmond Street, London).

To register for the livestream, please click here: Livestream registration page for Dave’s memorial service on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.

The Mahar family extends heartfelt appreciation to the wonderful nurses, doctors, social workers and occupational therapists at Parkwood Institute, Victoria Hospital, University Hospital and St. Joseph’s Health Care who cared for Dave these past 6 years; to Lance Thom of Thomcare, Dave’s landlord for the past 2 ½ years, and to the ‘angels’ in our ‘friend family’ who have been there for Dave and for us at every turn; Rina, Ron S., Mike, Jeff, Ron F. & the amazing crew at Joe Kool’s. Your acts of kindness are engraved on our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, please pay it forward. Dave’s goodness, humour and charm are amongst his most formidable superpowers. Remember Dave best by making someone smile or laugh when they need it most; treat your serve staff & cooks with respect & tip generously; thank a health care worker, a first responder, a soldier, a teacher; support local theatre; hold your loved ones close & tell them you love them. Do it and think of Dave. He’ll be watching.

Godspeed, Dave… Love you brother… See you on the flip side…