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In the almost 50 year history of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations (COCA), Dr. David Surplis was unquestionably the provincial construction federation’s most consequential leader. David passed away on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 23rd with family by his side.
David earned a BA in political science at the University of Alberta, an MA and a PhD, both in political economy, at the University of Toronto.
He taught political science as an associate professor at the University of Guelph from 1970 to 1976. There he influenced the futures of many of his students including David Frame who is very well known in our industry and who went on to work under David’s leadership at COCA and subsequently served in the president’s role at COCA.
From 1976 to 1984 David served as director of research and special assistant to several cabinet ministers including the Minister of Health, Dennis Timbrell, a role in which he played a key role in shaping health policy in the province .
In 1984 David took his leadership and government relations skills to the Ontario Dental Association, a role in which he served for six years.
He joined COCA in 1990 and served as the federation’s president until 2001 when he retired for personal health reason.
From 2001 until 2009 he operated his own communications, government relations and public affairs consultancy and from January to August 2008 he returned to COCA as President while a search for a new leader was ongoing.
David was blessed with a superior intellect, possessed knowledge that spanned an impressively broad array of subjects, he knew political history like no one else, was insightful, analytical, eminently engaging, friendly and unassuming but didn’t suffer fools easily. He was a bit “old school” maybe more than a bit but was always a gentleman or if not always at least when the occasion called for gentlemanly behaviour. He had in his brain a vast library of jokes and stories, some not suitable for mixed company, but something suitable for every occasion. It was always a delight to be in his company.
He had many loves in his life but by far his greatest love was for his late wife Davina and the stepfamily he inherited when they married. He loved politics but was dismayed by the hyped up partisan political environment of today. He loved golf and had been an excellent golfer in his earlier days and at one point considered a career in golf but eventually decided to pursue higher education. He loved his Toronto Hunt Club and often said that, after deciding to ask Davina to marry him, the best decision he ever made was joining The Hunt. He loved people, especially the army of friends at The Hunt who loved him right back. He was a wonderful and loyal friend to many.
Rest in Peace, David. You will be missed.