Obituary of David Stager

STAGER, David Arnold Albert 1937 - 2009 Professor Emeritus, Department of Economics, University of Toronto Passed away at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto on July 23, 2009 following a 15 month challenging journey with cancer. Much loved and loving husband of Beverly (Hales) for 44 years. Proud and loving father of Andrea Stager (MacKinnon) and Martha Vesey and their husbands John and Derek. Adoring grandfather of Victoria and Isabelle MacKinnon, and Caroline and Thomas Vesey. Loving friend of brother Paul Stager, and his wife, Mary, and their daughters Christine and Gillian. He was loved and respected by the extended Hales family. David enjoyed his boyhood in Preston and Smithville, Ontario, later graduating from Ontario Agricultural College (1959) and Johns Hopkins University. He attended Balliol College, Oxford, on a Rhodes Scholarship where he read Philosophy, Politics and Economics, followed by a Ph.D. in economics from Princeton University. In 1964, David accepted the new position as Dean of Students, New College, University of Toronto, with a cross-appointment to the (then) Department of Political Economy, where his teaching, research and consulting interests lay in the economics and financing of post-secondary education. David's teaching of introductory economics culminated in the publication of his textbook "Economic Analysis and Canadian Policy." Along with his keen civic interests, including the Spadina Review Corporation and the Toronto Parking Authority as member and chair, David also had a passion for Georgian Bay. Many enjoyable summers were spent on The Bay with family and friends and he served with enthusiasm as president of his cottagers' association and as a long-time director of the Georgian Bay Association. Most recently David authored a natural and human history of the Sandy Island area. Winter visits to Sanibel Island, Florida and its abundant natural features, were another of David's favourite enjoyments with family and friends. A man of lifelong curiosity and an intellect to match; energy, kindness and devotion to family and friends, David will be greatly missed. Cremation and a private family service will take place. Celebration and Remembrance of David's life will be held at BLOOR STREET UNITED CHURCH, 300 Bloor Street West, on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 2 p.m. In David's memory, donations to the Georgian Bay Land Trust (www.gblt.org) or to the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation 416-946-6560 would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.