Pernu, David

It is with the most wrenching sadness that we must announce the loss of David Pernu. Taken from us unexpectedly and far far too soon he was our husband, father, brother, friend, confidante, mentor. Born in the North in 1945 he remained here in Sudbury all of his life, leaving for short periods of time to explore the world and with unending curiosity he saw so many places, but he always returned. He believed in the North, its deep and ancient roots ran through him and he spent most of his life involved with people who shared his passion. He was a Renaissance Man. Working at ways to promote the North, he sat on many committees, Sudbury 2001, Northern Ontario Business and he worked on many political campaigns on both sides of the aisle as well being a part of numerous other unofficial groups of great minds who were also committed to the promotion of the North. Never one to claim the spotlight he found his most important role working behind the scenes to help foment real change and success for Sudbury. He showed us it was important to be part of your community, to be involved, engaged, and do the work. He was a legacy man. A proud member of the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club for over 65 years starting as a junior, representing Ontario in competition, then later as an architect of the Annual Idylwylde Men’s Invitational, a tournament that drew participants from around the world, then as a life long committee member, Club Captain working his way to President and has continued to mentor as a Past President keeping the legacy of the original membership alive. Finally in the past years he became an even more active golfer securing a membership with the Canadian Seniors Golf Association and ever striving to always improve, he was trying this year to shoot his age. He was a strong believer in the development of young golfers through the junior golf program and was thrilled to see the youth continue to engage with the sport and hoped they would experience as he did a lifelong passion for the game and the friends and camaraderie that goes with it. He was a family man. For all of his greatness as a citizen of the world and of this city, he was even greater in his personal moments with his family and friends. A master of conversation he could expound on any topic with thoughtfulness and balance but he was just as easily engaged in the humour of a moment and all of us knew the thrill of making him laugh in that Dave/Dad/Nono way. Endlessly proud of his kids and grandkids he spent his time finding ways to connect with everyone in such a way that made each person feel like they had their own special relationship - there was an inclusive and radiant aura around him that shone so brightly as to illuminate the rest of us when we were around him. To say he will be missed does not seem to explain or settle any of us. He would be the first to ask about how to deal with this. But he is gone, and we remain. And we grieve fiercely. Due to Covid-19 a celebration of life must be postponed until a future date. Survived by his wife Mary, his children, Stefan (wife Jennifer), Kristen (husband Doug), Stacey (husband Rob) and Stephanie, his grandchildren, Alexei, Ava and Billie. His sister Carmen (husband Jim) and Sheila (husband Connie) and extended family and friends. Donations if so wished, could be made to the Salvation Army, it was a charity that he mentioned had helped his grandparents out during one very hard winter many years ago and which he has contributed all his life.