Obituary of Dr. David Edward Rose

(80) of Ottawa, Ontario passed away on August 23, 2026 after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. David was an economist, scholar, family man, athlete, philanthropist, entrepreneur, caretaker, singer, and mischievous punster. 

 

Born in Sudbury, Ontario to Edward and Jessie Rose in 1946, David was the eldest of five siblings. He grew up in Ottawa, played football and graduated from Woodroffe High School as an Ontario Scholar. He won a scholarship to Queen’s University and found a passion for studying economics and mathematics, graduating with 1st class honours in 1969.

 

At Queen’s he met Susan, the love of his life, and they married following their graduation. David pursued doctoral studies at the University of Manchester as a Commonwealth Scholar, taught at the University of British Columbia, and finally settled in Ottawa with Susan and their three children to take a research position at the Bank of Canada. During David’s 18-year tenure at the Bank he led innovative work on macroeconomic projection modeling and served as Research Department chief. He later consulted for the International Monetary Fund and numerous central banks worldwide. 

 

While his work took David around the world, he and Susan maintained a lifelong interest in their home city of Ottawa. They owned and operated the Herb and Spice Shop on Bank Street for a decade, overseeing a successful major expansion. David served 13 years on the Board of Directors for the Wellington Village residence in which he and Susan made their home. As singers with the Orpheus Choral Group and Voices in Harmony for over 20 years, they gave countless community performances. Through the David and Susan Rose Fund at the Ottawa Community Foundation they supported many local initiatives centred around helping people who need a boost, including a major gift to the Royal Ottawa Hospital. 

 

David and Susan also pursued significant international philanthropy through Plan Canada with a special focus on creating opportunities for girls and women across the developing world, inspired by the birth of their three granddaughters. They shared a love of travel, and throughout his life David visited 44 countries plus Antarctica.

 

David is survived by his four siblings George, Barbara, Melwood, and Stephen; his wife Susan; his children Keith, Margaret, and Brian; their spouses Andrée, Ian, and Laura; and his grandchildren Eleanor, Annabel, and Amelia. His family will remember David as a devoted and dependable caretaker who was always ready to help with a strong arm, sharp mind, keen sense of humour, and excellent wine pairing suggestions. He leaves a giant legacy of intellect and empathy that will be dearly missed.

 

A celebration of David’s life will be held in Ottawa on Saturday November 28, 2026. Further details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to any charity consistent with the values by which David lived his life, including to the David and Susan Rose Fund which will support Ottawa-based community projects in perpetuity.