David MacRitchie
MacRITCHIE, David Alan
Pictou, Age 55. It is with great sadness that we share the sudden passing of David MacRitchie in Dartmouth on Sunday November 12, 2017.
Born in Sydney, NS on December 20, 1961, he was the son of Patricia MacRitchie and the late Kenneth MacRitchie. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB in 1984 and then pursued his Master of Business Administration at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax through part time studies and completing in 1997.
He began his career in the automotive industry at MacPhee Pontiac in Dartmouth in 1991. With the support of Al MacPhee, Dave bought and ran Northumberland Pontiac in New Glasgow for 10 years from 1998 to 2008, growing the business and maintaining an active role in the community. In 2009, Dave returned to Dartmouth to work as an automotive consultant and was instrumental in several car dealership mergers and acquisition. In 2011, Dave joined the Steele Automotive group as their Chief Operating Officer and later as the President. He was very proud of the growth and success of the group over the past seven years. Never one for the limelight, Dave led by example. He treated staff, suppliers, and customers always with respect and with competence and always guided by the principle to do the right thing. His work ethic and attention to detail set a high bar. In addition to his leadership role at Steele, Dave was the President of the Nova Scotia Automotive Dealers Association and heavily involved as a director in the Canadian Automotive Dealers Association.
Outside of work, Dave could successfully put his hand to just about anything – plumbing, electrical, engines, landscaping, and weather forecasting. He rarely sat still for long, except perhaps to catch a game of the Green Bay Packers. He applied his skills to significant affect - from building a rocking horse for his new niece, to the construction of a cottage on a shoestring budget, to completely rebuilding a 40-foot steel-hulled sailboat that we purchased after it had, for all purposes, sunk. That same boat provided some of the best memories we spent as a family, sailing from Nova Scotia to the Bahamas and back in 2008-2009 – no small feat with a 9 and 12-year-old and a Labrador retriever. We had absolute faith in his abilities when we were at sea on our sailboat, a testament to the seafaring skills he had honed sailing in Atlantic Canada. (We also did have a memorable practice run as a couple (along with two dogs) in 1993-1994.)
Dave loved the beautiful home we had nestled away in the woods on Pictou Harbour and could be found on most weekends plowing snow, mowing grass, trimming trees or puttering in the garage. Or advising (to mixed success) his two strong-willed daughters that he loved so much.
Dave was someone who just got things done and done well. He was quick to share his efforts with others at work and in his family life. His counsel and his hard work will be forever missed.
Surviving are his wife of 30 years, Cathy (Hill), his daughters, Annie and Kristen, his mother Patricia MacRitchie, his brother John (Ingrid van Leeuwen), niece Margaret. Also surviving are his aunts Ily Connell and Marilyn and Francis MacLeod and many cousins. He was predeceased by his father Kenneth, and his Aunts Mary and Violet “Tooty” MacRitchie. Funeral service will be held 12:30pm, Thursday in First Presbyterian Church, Pictou with Jacquie Ross officiating. Reception will follow the service in the deCoste Entertainment Center, Pictou. Donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou.
