https://www.sootoday.com/obituaries/gould-dr-david-harding-9251081

It is with profound sadness we announce the death of Dr. Canon David Gould in Sault Ste. Marie last week, offering our deepest sympathies to his loved ones.

Even as we give thanks for a life well lived we invite your prayers for his children James (Anne), Carolyn (Richard) John (Diane), his grandchildren, extended family, and all who mourn. On behalf of the entire Algoma family we say thank you for the many sacrifices you made in order for Dr. Gould to serve our church in the way he did and we give special thanks for the support offered by his loving wife Margaret (predeceased 2020).

Remembered as being ‘quietly kind and generous’, Canon Gould was one of Algoma’s finest churchmen. A cardiologist by profession he was devoted and faithful member of our Cathedral church Dr. Gould lived into his baptismal calling by seeking and serving God in all persons.

A man of faith, wisdom and good counsel he never missed an opportunity to offer his God given gifts in service to his community and the church. He was found on Sundays singing in our Cathedral choir and serving as a diocesan lay reader. For many years he was the Diocesan Warden of Lay Readers. On all other occasions he participated generously in the councils of the church at the parochial, diocesan and national level.  When he was no longer able to sing in the choir he was found in the front row of St. Luke’s singing lustily and with a strong voice participating in the prayers.

It would be safe to say Dr. Gould was a General Synod ‘nerd’, attending his first to General Synod in 1965.  By 2004 he had attended 16 meetings participating in three primatial elections. His impression in 2004, when interviewed by the Anglican Journal, was that the church was changing with the times in becoming more inclusive towards women, youth and children and where the barriers between bishops, clergy and laity were eventually broken down.

Dr. Gould made a profound impact and difference through his medical career over many decades – contributing his knowledge and skill to matters that arose in the church. We were blessed to say he was from Algoma.

One of Dr. Gould’s greatest and lasting contributions to the Anglican Church of Canada was his research on the common cup when there was great fear of it being a source of infection.  With his professional background Dr. Gould submitted a paper entitled, “Eucharistic Practice and the Risk of Infection” (General Synod archives, 1987) to the Doctrine and Worship Committee of General Synod. In it he outlined the risks of infections being spread through the common cup, detailing the transmission of infections.  This was at a time when AIDS was widespread throughout the world. In his paper Dr. Gould noted that, “Not a single family member of a person with AIDS has contracted the disease, even though occasional sharing of drinking cups, eating utensils and on occasion, toothbrushes has occurred.”  He went on to note that the use of the common cup was normative in the Anglican Church of Canada and its continued use posed no real hazard to health in normal circumstances.

In this paper, which remains a significant piece of writing, and which was used in developing the protocols during the recent worldwide COVID pandemic, Dr. Gould concluded that there was less risk of drinking from the common cup than getting an air borne infection in using a common building. However, he also noted that Eucharistic ministers should be given instruction in the proper use and handling of the chalice between communicants.

I had the privilege of bringing the sacrament to Dr. Gould on Christmas Eve last year, when St. Luke’s was without an incumbent. His voice in praying the Lord’s Prayer and in singing “Joy to the World” is one that will always remain with me. The Lord has come indeed!

Margaret Mead, an American cultural anthropologist once noted, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Dr. Gould, we give thanks for your life as a good and godly man and for the difference you have made in our lives in ways too many to count. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant.

+Anne: Algoma