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David Geneen

Husband, father, gentleman, entrepreneur. Born on Feb. 14, 1948, in Glasgow, Scotland; died on Aug. 16, 2014, in Toronto, of complications from a stem-cell transplant, aged 66.

When David Geneen was 9, his family moved from Glasgow to Toronto, where his father became a psychiatrist. The move wasn't easy for David and his sister Lucy, who were used to a vibrant family life in Glasgow.

A soap-box derby became the focus of David's attention and he poured his energy into creating a winning design. His soap-box car started a lifelong passion for beautiful machines. He started selling cars out of his driveway at 16, and loved quirky luxury vehicles of any vintage. Decades later he realized his dream when he bought Grand Touring Automobiles, a luxury car dealership in Toronto. But it was more than a car dealership: It was his salon where people could come for coffee and a chat about life.

For years, you could find him cleaning his fast boats at the Island Yacht Club where he was "commodore" of the snack bar. Friends from Miami and Muskoka lingered in his beautiful homes, enjoying his hospitality, and many candy jars. At every family event he would be in the kitchen, eating the crispy bits of the roast beef and snacking on his favourite British sweets.

His customers, employees, family and friends were devoted to him because he treated everyone with respect, honesty and warmth (though no one was safe from his sardonic wit). After his death, we heard from people of all ages saying that David gave them a chance when everyone else had given up on them or that he gave a helping hand, or a piece of advice, that made the difference.

David had no filter to stop the rush of his thoughts to the open air – which could be exhilarating, hilarious and sometimes disconcerting. For him, swearing was a term of endearment and it was only the lack of an f-bomb that alerted us to when he was feeling down. He was unpredictable; he might show up at your door unannounced and your afternoon could take an interesting turn. He would arrive at a party with a giant bag of gifts for everyone, or with an antique that he thought might look good on your shelf. Sometimes he left just as quickly.

He was generous to a fault, and his love of beauty and style defined everything he did. He was Unkie to his nieces and their families, and was an important role model for them. He had his two sons, Daniel and Julian, later in life with his first wife, Florence. His boys were transformational for him, the absolute centre of his universe. He was by their side as they grew into thoughtful young men, with his sense of style and humour. Most of all he loved love – something he found again with his second wife, Linda. He was also devoted to his dog Bennie, possibly the best dog in the world, despite being completely spoiled.

It's a cliché to say that the world seems less interesting without him, but it is true. David was a complex character, a charismatic iconoclast with a keen intelligence and sense of humour that could silence a room.

He brought all those gifts to his multiyear battle with myelodysplastic syndrome, but he died from complications of a stem-cell transplant. His absence is keenly felt every time we see a beautiful car illegally parked, a perfectly tailored suit, or when the roast beef comes to the table untouched.

Emma Waverman is David's niece; Lucy Waverman is his sister.

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