David James Scott Farrington

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we sadly announce the passing of David James Scott Farrington (July 4, 1989, to November 15, 2025) at the age of 36.  He died unexpectedly but peacefully from a previously dormant pre-existing medical condition while asleep in his birth city of Ottawa. 

David was the soft spoken and dearly beloved son of Peter David Farrington and Doris Wendy Farrington (nee Crowston), and older brother to Christopher Adam Farrington, with whom he shared many moments of joy in nature, during family life, on the sports grounds, and while traveling.  He was the dear grandson to Ramon Windsor Farrington, with whom he had a very close bond, nephew to aunts and uncles Michael Blair Farrington and Nancy Farrington (nee Graves), whose loving support of David had been growing steadily over the past few years,  Robert Dean Farrington, Brenda Jean Farrington, David Carle-Ellis (nee Crowston) and Ian Crowston.  David was predeceased by his loving grandparents, Adeline Mary Farrington (nee Schneider), Jack and Marcia Crowston (nee Harp), and cousins Andrew and Erika Farrington.  David was also the cherished friend to many others whose paths he lit with his kind, quirky and stoic demeanor while at school, playing sports, traveling, and during his work life.   

David was gifted athletically.  He was a midfielder on a Saskatchewan provincial youth soccer team, and after moving to Ottawa, David was part of a club team that played in the prestigious Plomelin Mondial Pupilles in Brittany, France.  For the past 10 years David became a basketball fanatic and was also a highly skilled snowboarder.

Although possessed with an exceptional memory, strong reasoning abilities and a passionate reader of philosophers, academically, school life was not easy for David.   This changed dramatically after entering university where he graduated from Carleton University with a double major honors in Anthropology and Greek & Roman Studies. 

History, ancient and indigenous cultures, modern societies, and nature were the main drivers for David, whose often solo travels took him to places off-the-beaten-path in China, Cuba, Djibouti, Morocco, Mexico, Costa Rica, Oman, the UAE, Canada’s far north and many others.  David was an excellent photographer, loved collecting basketball shoes, T-shirts and hats, frequently magnetically drew animals to him, and was a true tea connoisseur.  A cup of oolong, white, yellow or personally blended teas carefully and lovingly brewed by David was heavenly.

A private memorial service was held for David on November 25 at the Beechwood Cemetery Funeral and Cremation services, followed by cremation.  On November 27 and 29, celebrations of David’s life were held at one of his favorite places in Ottawa, the Notre Dame Cathedral.  The outpouring of genuine love from family, past school friends and current work colleagues for David revealed the magnitude and indelible impacts that his gentle, kind and giving nature had had on many people.  David was always willing to quietly offer his time, ear and possessions to help others, even when in short supply.  David had and still has what one friend described as a “presence”. He set an extraordinary standard of “being” for the rest of us to follow.