David Schryer

Obituary of David Schryer SCHRYER : DAVID HUGH 1935 - 2009 David left us too soon due to complications of cancer. Born in Bathurst, New Brunswick to Hannah (Kent) and George Schryer, David went to Montreal after graduation where he worked for Bathurst Power and Paper for five years. Then he moved to Port Cartier where he was a railway conductor for Quebec Cartier Mining. It was there he met his life-long love, Marjorie, then a teacher in Sept Isles. Four months later, they married. In 1968, David and Marjorie moved to Morin Heights in the Laurentians where they taught school before deciding to complete their degrees at Trent University in Peterborough. David graduated with his degree in Anthropology in 1972. After exploring various enterprises, David opened Otonabee Antiques on George Street, Peterborough. He was admirably suited to the antique business because of his genial nature and enjoyment of people, his enterprising personality and his appreciation of beautiful objects: fine furniture, china, and unusual curios. David was a very interesting man. His openness to new experiences led him to many jobs and adventures. Not many would leave work and go back to school in mid-life. After getting his BA, he and Marj spent four months travelling and camping, electing to delay the more practical world of jobs and security for the excitement of living in the moment. Everyone enjoyed his excellent sense of humour and his ability to sense pretension and see the comic in it. He was a great storyteller. Enthusiastic about life's experiences, he took pleasure in his great antique finds, new people, and his many varied interests: dogs, baseball, cooking, literature, the outdoors -camping, canoeing, hiking, skiing, sailing the Proper T'ing, and history- world war II, and political satire. He enjoyed life to the full, savouring good food, drink, and lively conversation with friends. In Palliative Care, he was a model for all, facing his illness with courage, acceptance, and a resolve to maintain his wonderful good nature. He is mourned by his dear wife of 45 years, Marjorie (Manuel) and a loving family spread across the continent. He leaves: in Bathurst New Brunswick, sister-in law, Beryl Schryer (Alanson d.), her son, Hugh (Ghislaine) and their son, Brian; in Vancouver, sister Elizabeth Lewis (Frank d.), her daughter, Jill (Larry), and daughters, Christine, Allison and Katie, and his niece Vikki Reynolds (Brian); in Calgary, nephew Jim Lewis (Cristy) and daughter Hailee; in the Oshawa area, sister-in-law Joan Reynolds and her husband Bill, their children Peter and son Sam, Michael (Shelly) and their sons David, John and Matt, his niece Susan (Fred) and children Elizabeth, Jim and Bob, and his niece Nancy (Dave) and son Dan; in Ottawa, sister Margaret King (Tom d.) and children Nancy, Tom and Kathy and his niece Wendy Schryer and daughter Tania; in the southern United States, sister-in-law Gwen and children Blair (Melody) and daughter Jennifer, Gavin (Pam), Jody (Gary) and Rob. His sister Christine and brother Alanson predecease him. David will be missed by the many friends whose lives he touched: Nan and Larry and their sons Peter (Samantha) and Mark, Nan and Rod, Joanne and Shirl, Ted and Myra, Ron and Jutta, Richard and Corry, Gabriele, Pat, Pat and Don, Gary and Ann, Joanna, Sherry, David and Katie, Jynx and George, and neighbours Helen, Vic and Marion. Zoe¨, the Schryers' beloved Springer spaniel, will particularly miss David. The family wishes to thank Dr. Beamish and the Palliative Care Staff at PRHC for their kind attention. Since David did not wish to have a service, there will be a private family gathering at a later date. Donations may be made in David's memory to PRHC Palliative Care Unit, Hospice Peterborough, or the Stephen Lewis Foundation through www.CommunityAlternative.ca or by calling Community Alternative Funeral Home at 705-742-1875.