David John Aikman
Born
August 22, 1974
Ottawa, Ontario
Died
September 17, 2026
Sarnia, Ontario
Obituary
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of David Aikman following a strong fifteen year battle with melanoma. David is survived by his beautiful and extremely strong wife Kimberly (Heffernan) with whom they shared nearly 25 years of marriage which provided countless incredible memories that made David grateful every day that she accepted his proposal to spend the rest of her life together with him.
David’s greatest fortune with Kim was to raise two amazing children, Ethan and Keira. Seeing them grow up was David’s greatest accomplishment, and the love that they returned made David’s heart swell. Ethan entered the world as the strong, silent type, but don’t let that demeanor trick you. His quick sense of wit and humour is unmatched, traits that made his father proud.
Keira bounced into the world as a tall ball of energy three years after her brother, and grew so quickly that her childhood was a blur to her parents. Her contagious energy and positivity is still with her which is the most a parent could ask for.
Both children received the athletic gene from Kim’s side, and David enjoyed watching no sport more than his children playing baseball, football, hockey, volleyball and even soccer at various competitive levels. Keira is fortunate enough to still play varsity basketball at Laurier University. Although David will miss some important milestone events for his children, he is delighted to know that there will be a brother to walk his sister down the aisle. A sister who will be a great aunt and supportive daughter. A grandmother who will never stop bouncing her grandchildren on her knees. Cancer may have weakened David but it also strengthened Kim and their children stronger.
David was predeceased by his father and inspiration, D’Arcy, and is survived by his ever loving mother Mary (Kennedy). The support and care they provided built David’s foundation of strength, and they placed a sense of hard work, trust and independence into him from an early age. David is also survived by siblings Cindy (Paul McGregor), Jeff, and Amy (Jason Spoelstra). The four of them kept their parents on their toes as we were close in age but often spread about Peterborough for various activities as kids. They were fortunate to find quality together time through memorable family vacations and summers at trailer camps and were always ready to support each other.
David was beyond blessed to be welcomed with open arms by Kim’s family. Her father Larry of Norwood would drop what he’s doing to help us from the beginning, likely because if David tried to make a repair himself it would have worsened. Kim’s brothers Clayton (Wendy) and Daniel (Jennifer) shared many humorous moments with David, including him on golf adventures just to figure out the mechanics of David’s swing. The wise words and athletic tips of Uncle Corky, as David was affectionately known by his nieces and nephews Cody McGregor, Dustin and Tristyn Aikman, Abigail Huc-Aikman, AJ, Sydney and Lawson and Alysse Heffernan will also be sorely missed.
David was blessed to maintain strong friendships including many that began in elementary school. “The Boys” know who they are, and he was overwhelmed to receive the amount of support and donations provided by not only them but also the various communities and connections made over the years.
David would like to thank the various incredible physicians and teams over the years who have been amazing: Dr. John O’Mahony in Sarnia, Dr. Ernst and the team at the London
Regional Health Cancer Center, Dr. Butler and the team at Princess Margaret and Dr. Crombeen and the angelic team at St. Joseph’s Hospice back in Sarnia, and the entire network at Melanoma Canada whose research added years to his life.
Adopt a pet until all shelters are empty. Love one another regardless of race, orientation or beliefs. Most importantly, “Get busy living or get busy dying.” A celebration of life will be held in David’s honour somewhere and sometime.
Written by self.
David’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday October 3rd, 2026, from 12pm-4pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 300, 27 King St, Norwood, Ontario.
Remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family online in “David’s Guestbook” at mccormackfuneralhomesarnia.com.
Disposition
Aquamation - McCormack Aquamation Burial & Cremation Services
Donations
St. Joseph’s Hospice Sarnia, ON
https://www.stjosephshospice.ca/donate-online
Melanoma Network Canada
https://melanomanetwork.akaraisin.com/ui/donate/donations/start
Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre London, ON (formerly LHSC)
https://www.lhsc.on.ca/give-now
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Toronto, ON
https://thepmcf.ca/donatenow
Visitation & Services
No Visitation
David’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday October 3rd, 2026, from 12pm-4pm at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 300, 27 King St, Norwood, Ontario.
Condolences
Kim, I am so sorry to learn of Dave's passing. I will always remember him as they guy who kept my tummy full of pizza, always had a comeback line, and the man who made my friend so happy. I send my prayers to you and your children that your grief will be eased by happy memories memories of him.
Myra Irving
So sorry to your family for this great loss. I’ll always remember Dave as one of my favourite people from my childhood. We were friends throughout elementary school and into grade nine before I moved away from Peterborough. While living in Vancouver in the late 90s I was very lucky to bump into Dave by complete chance and spend the rest of the day with him. He even stayed over at our place. We always meant to reconnect if he was ever in Ottawa. I received a few messages from Dave over the years, telling me about his wonderful kids and his wife. Really truly an amazing guy from my view, though I don’t need to tell anyone that! You knew him. My sincere condolences to you. Very sorry.
Adam Learmonth
So sorry for your loss and wish you all the strength and love going forward
Jen Leal
So sorry for your family’s loss, Kim - thoughts are with you all
Wendy Johnston & Bill Thompson
Dear Mary, Kim and families
I wish I had words to ease your pain but know my prayers are with you as you navigate this devastating loss. I was very lucky to work with Dave, Darcy and Mary at Scotiabank. Dave was a genuine great banker who actually cared about his clients. May all of you always feel his presence in the strength of his love , the memories he has created and the lives he has touched.
With sincere sympathy
Teresa Giancarlo
Kim, I am so very sorry to hear about David's passing, Please know that I am thinking about you during this extremely difficult time and sending love to you and your Family. David fought so hard and I always admired him for that. His obituary is such a kind tribute to him. XO
Janice Hull
My condolences to Dave's family. I will remember Dave as a very kind friend from elementary school and high school . We did some fun things together, including birthday parties at wheelies and at Daves house , when we were younger. In high school we had our share of fun together including getting banned from the formal one year for drinking on a class trip in quebec previously lol ( we got reinstated by volunteering with the st peters " b" hockey team) . Dave was always someone who was a thoughtful kind person and he had alot of friend groups , one of which I was lucky to be a part of. Later in life , we reconnected and im so glad we did, we got to visit over the last few years and talk a lot on the phone. I cherish all my Dave memories very much. You will be missed my friend. lots of love to you Dave and to your family.
Joseph Hotrum
It has been my honor to get to know the Aikman family. What a pleasure to work first with D’Arcy, than Mary and finally David and Kim too! David was a young version of his father, well liked and hard working. Up for any task, he said he wasn’t athletic, but when life threw him a curve ball he fought it long and hard. It will be those early days that I will remember and treasure, when we were all working together.
My deepest condolences.
Nancy Bruce-LaPointe
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of David. David’s love for his family, his strength, and his pride in those closest to him are so clearly reflected in his life story. I hope you find comfort in the many cherished memories you shared and in the lasting impact he had on everyone who knew and loved him. Wishing you peace, strength, and support in the days ahead.
Noon
I wanted to share my heartfelt condolences to David’s family.
Although I never had the chance to meet David personally, we did share a wonderful group of business banking clients at CIBC - everyone I connected with spoke so highly of him and described him as kind, thoughtful and dependable. It was clear that he left a lasting impression on both clients and colleagues.
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Adam Presley
So very sorry for the loss of David. Condolences to the family
Cheryl Aikman Hess
Jeff sorry to hear of your brothers passing. He was blessed to be loved by so many. Your memories will be precious always. My condolences to your family.
Brenda Lee
Deepest condolences on your loss
May God Grant David Eternal Rest
Gail Lebel
Kim and family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love and Blessings
Alison and Blair Corcoran