People fortunate enough to have known Davey would understand that even at the last moments of his life the depth of his kindness would move him.
He would not ever want to cause dismay to others and leave on Christmas Day. He stayed as long as he could before he left those he loved.
And all of those, loved him mightily. His wife Barb "loved him more than life itself". As did his daughter Maggie, son-in-law Ken, and his grandchildren Jack and Zoe. And as did his son Peter, who died in 1990. Davey was very deeply loved. By his brother Don (Carol) and by his late brother John (Margaret), late parents Margaret and John Alfred (Fred), his late in-laws Ken and Jane Ritchie, by his new daughter Carolin Vesely, his many in-laws, nieces and nephews and his many friends.
Davey was an exceptional man. He possessed a rare human quality. He actually cared more about others than he did about himself. He was always considerate and courteous. Always patient, calming, and responsible. That he did Barb's worrying for nearly 50 years was only a small part of why she loved him so much for Davey was a beautiful person.
Davey was born in Toronto, but spent his youth growing up on St Joseph's Island, Ontario, finishing his secondary education in Sault Ste. Marie. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a BSc in Physics and Geology. He taught for eleven years and then left teaching in 1975, to attend Law School. He graduated from Queens in 1978, and spent his entire legal career as a lawyer and civil judge with McKitrick Law Offices, in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
His extraordinary intelligence shone throughout his life. He excelled scholastically and professionally throughout his life. There could be no better math teacher at Westgate and PACI. As a lawyer "his clients always had the deepest respect for him". He was impeccably prudent and fair and "was the best kind of person to be a judge". He was a credit to his family and his community.
His giving ways suffused his life. He would be the one to stand in the rain, chest deep in the cold water of Loon Lake to ready the kids' canoe race or referee the long distance swim. Or to calm an office crisis, or stay late rather than see a secretary be left alone. Whether in the courthouse, or on the golf course, or in the day-to-day his high intellect was matched by his emotional intelligence. David Nattress made other people's lives better.
Of his many attributes a special one was his music. Davey's baritone singing was an extraordinary gift for those fortunate enough to listen. With ease his pure voice carried complex harmonies with the Symphony orchestra or re-assuring hymns that he loved to sing at church on Sunday mornings.
And no one will ever match his way of drawing out the wry truth when he took up his legendary banjo on the old front porch at his beloved Loon Lake and, surrounded by those who loved him so much, he sang...
"Oh, The black fly, the little black fly..."
A memorial service to celebrate the life of David Nattress will be held on Thursday, January 2nd. at 11:00am in Lakeview Presbyterian Church with Rev.Harold Hunt presiding.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Thunder Bay Symphony, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation- Northern Cancer Fund or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Arrangements entrusted to Sargent and Son Funeral Directors, 21 N. Court Street.
logo
