David K. Bartlett
BARTLETT, David Keith – Of Guelph, passed away peacefully at the Guelph General Hospital on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the age of 75.
Beloved husband of Yvonne. Much loved father of Natasha and father-in-law to Jamie Boles. Loving Papa of Robbie. Dear brother of Nancy Kariler and Valerie Ernst. Cherished bother-in-law of Howard and Joan Quinn, Frank and Nancy Quinn, and Glen and Lynne Gallagher. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Alfred and Alva (Knickle) Bartlett, his parents-in-law Harold and Ritta (Hiltz) Quinn and his bother-in-law Larry Ernst.
A true Bluenoser, David was born and raised in the fishing village of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, and even worked and sailed on the iconic Bluenose II as a young man. An avid junior curler, David also won Atlantic regional championships throughout high school and university – a passion and competitive spirit that he has passed on to his grandson.
While he enjoyed studying history and literature, he pursued Engineering to ensure he could provide the best life for his future family and graduated from Acadia University in 1972 and Nova Scotia Tech (now DalTech) in 1974. For more than 45 years, David enjoyed a successful career as a leader, strategist, expert, and innovator in the rail, intermodal transportation, and logistics industries across Canada, the UK, and the US, achieving many international accolades as well as loyalty and admiration from his teams and clients.
David’s work also provided him the opportunity to travel the world and live in a variety of communities, and some of his favourites included Montreal and London (UK), where he became a connoisseur of the local culture and enjoyed playing tour guide to visiting family and friends.
A devoted father and grandfather, David always put his family first. This included supporting his daughter, Natasha, through all her crazy dreams and schemes, and moving continents in order to be closer to his grandson, Robbie. Upon retirement, David and his multi-generational family moved to Guelph in 2019 so that they could all be together. A recent addition to the family, a feisty little dog called Shelby, quickly became David’s best friend and constant companion.
Remembered by all as a kind, quiet, and generous man, David had a keen mind and an even keener sense of humour. Always a Maritimer at heart, David enjoyed summers at the cottage in New Brunswick and was most happy with his family, enjoying a water view and a good meal (fresh seafood, of course), a good drink, and good tunes.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Dr. Digby and the staff at the Guelph General Hospital ER department, Dr. Ganapathy, Dr. Raso and Dr.Gregoire and the nurses and staff of Guelph General Hospital ICU as well as Alycia, Pauline and Anne of the hospital’s Social Work department for their compassionate care and support during this time
Cremation has taken place. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
There will be a Celebration of Life held December 16, 2025, from 5pm to 7:30 pm at Platform@The Junction (2nd floor), 7 Edinburgh Road South, Guelph, ON, N1H 5N8. Please come and share in our celebration of a life well lived.
A Celebration of Life and burial will take place, at a later date, in Nova Scotia.
Memorial contributions to the Lunenburg Academy Foundation or the Foundation of Guelph General Hospital or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of David K. Bartlett in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.