David Brock

1947 - 2022  (74 years)

• Name	David Brock
  Born	20 Sep 1947	Bradford, , Yorkshire, England
  Gender	Male
  Immigration	1967
  Eby ID Number	Waterloo-228573
  Died	2 Aug 2022	Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
  Person ID	I228573	Generations
  Last Modified	10 Jul 2025

  
  

  Family 1	Penny
  Last Modified	10 Jul 2025
  Family ID	F62413	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Janet Dawson
  Last Modified	10 Jul 2025
  Family ID	F62414	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Notes

  Lifetimes: A quiet man with a huge presence By Valerie HillS pecial to the Record Janet Dawson Brock has raised $6 million for causes in Waterloo Region, a remarkable feat made possible through the support of her husband, David Brock. He wouldn't join the organizations she belonged to, preferring to work in the background. He was there for Janet, to help fulfil her dreams and by association, fulfil the dreams of hundreds of others. Several organizations recognized David's contributions with honorary memberships and community spirit awards. David Brock was the epitome of a supportive spouse and Janet was bereft when he died on Aug. 2, 2022, six days after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. It had been a second marriage for both of them, one that lasted 32 years. She still won't sit in the reclining chair in the living room where David spent his last few days, looking out the window watching the blue sky. David had been ill for many months and doctors were struggling to determine what was wrong. His symptoms were debilitating but he still found the strength to help Janet. When the lieutenant-governor of Ontario, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, came to the lobby of their Waterloo apartment building on March 5 to present Janet with a Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, David dug deep to find enough strength to join them. "As sick as he was, he got dressed to come too," she said. David was born Sept. 20, 1947, in Bradford, England, one of two sons to John and Elsie Brock. His father had been in the navy and later became a tradesman. Elsie worked in the woollen mills. In 1967, he immigrated to Canada, first landing in Guelph where he stayed with an aunt. David had trained in England as a printer and was able to land a job at the University of Waterloo in graphic services. While living in Guelph, he met his first wife Penny, married and had two children, Paul and Wendy. The couple moved to Waterloo, and later divorced. In 1982, he met Janet while playing darts at a pub. Darts and soccer had been his great passions throughout his life. In Waterloo, David had missed his two favourite sports so deeply that he joined the only organization he could find that offered both: the Polish Veterans Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. He wasn't Polish. In May, the legion awarded him a 50-year pin for his long membership. David helped to win the legion's dart team championships many times over; he'd also been a champion in England. As a dad, David was kind and patient. Daughter Wendy Dahms recalled one particular adventure they had together. "When I was three years old, he took me fishing for my first time," she recalled. "He had an easy push-button rod for me to use and after a few practice casts he let me try. I threw the whole rod in the Conestogo River. "My dad threw his keys and wallet on the shore and jumped in and got it. He was soaked but we stayed there for hours after." Son Paul Brock has equally fond memories of fishing with his dad, with the two of them spending hours by the water. "He had a keen eye for nature and would often point out birds and other animals to me that I might have not seen," noted Paul. David and Paul also shared a love of soccer, with David recounting stories of his glory days as a player in England and when he first came to Canada. He was also there, proudly watching Paul coaching Wendy's son Xavier Dahms, David's grandson and the next generation of player in the family. David was hospitalized as the disease progressed rapidly. His friend Earl Fleming was at his bedside the day before he died, watching a game between Leeds and Arsenal on a tablet. Though weak, David still had a lot to say about the plays. "He always had an opinion," said Fleming. "That goes back to when we played. "We'd have falling-outs." But the friends always made up, bonded by the game they both loved. Though he was a quiet man, David's presence was huge. He loved cooking, did most of the household chores at home and rustled up food at his church's monthly men's breakfast and Bible study at St. George's Anglican in New Hamburg. He also always carried $1,000 in his wallet; money used to help anyone in need. Mat Ertan, owner of Mat's Auto Sales, where David worked for a decade after being downsized from his university job, commented on David's good nature. Customers often commented, "What a nice guy," said Mat. Valerie Hill is a former Record reporter. She can be reached at vmhill296@gmail.com. Lifetimes: A quiet man with a huge presence (2022). Available at: https://www.therecord.com/life/2022/11/07/lifetimes-a-quiet-man-with-a-huge-presence.html (Accessed: 8 November 2022). ____________ David J. Brock Saturday, September 20th, 1947 - Tuesday, August 2nd, 2022 Passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at Grand River Hospital at the age of 74. David was born in Bradford, England on September 20, 1947. He leaves to mourn his loving wife Janet Dawson Brock of 32 years; his children Paul Brock and Wendy Dahms, and grandson Xavier Dahms, all of Kitchener; his brother Gordon Brock of Jersey Island; his cousin Pat (Bob) Robinson of England, many nieces and nephews; and his best friends Earl and Doreen Fleming. David worked in Graphic Services at the University of Waterloo for many years and recently at Mat's Motors. David was thrilled to receive his 50 Year Gold Service Medal from the Polish Legion - Branch 412 for his 50 year long continuous membership. He was a great dart player and loved playing soccer. David was Janet's greatest supporter in all the fund raising that she has done. He was diagnosed with ALS on Thursday, July 28 and died 6 days later, enjoying watching Leeds United soccer team playing Arsenal. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at St. George's Anglican Church, 3 Byron Street, New Hamburg, with a reception to follow. Masks would be appreciated. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed via livestream at: Live Stream Arrangements entrusted to the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 519-749-8467. As expressions of sympathy, donations to St. George's Anglican Church, New Hamburg would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home). Visit www.henrywalser.com for David's memorial. David Brock Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (2022). Available at: https://www.henrywalser.com/memorials/david-brock/4995946/ (Accessed: 8 November 2022).

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 20 Sep 1947 - Bradford, , Yorkshire, England Died - 2 Aug 2022 - Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth