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Dr. David Shumka
January 18, 1953 - October 31, 2014
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<div itemprop="description">The family of Dr. David Shumka sadly shares the news that his extraordinary life came to an end on October 31, 2014 in his home in Newmarket, Ontario. Predeceased by parents, Jim and Mary, and sister Judy, David leaves behind sons Matthew (Christine Ashbourne) and Daniel, their mother and David&rsquo;s best friend Lynn, brother Rick, extended family and countless friends in the medical and musical communities. A graduate of the University of Manitoba (B.Sc.), Ryerson University (CPHI) and the University of Toronto (M.Sc. and M.D.), David practised anesthesia and pain management medicine for many years. He was a talented keyboardist whose love of music was a dominant force in his life. With Dr. David White he established LIFEBEAT, a musical variety show featuring the talents of health care professionals. The show raised over one million dollars for various charities over a twenty year period. He was also the creative force behind Songbirds in Markham. Over the years David played with many bands, most recently The Northern Stars Band. His passions for life, music and food were shared generously with those lucky enough to have known him. In 1999, David was diagnosed with cancer. His will to live and determination to beat his disease were inspirational to family, friends and medical professionals alike. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ralph Gilbert, whose surgical talents allowed David to defy all predictions of life expectancy, and to Dr. Steven Stokl. Thank you to all David&rsquo;s musical friends who shared so much joy with him, and to Kent Harding, Barry McNicol, Peter and Denny Lemasurier, Judy Belanger, Eric Soostar, Randy Milliken and Scott Chambers, all of whom were a source of great support to David. Friends may call at the Turner &amp; Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor St. W., at Windermere, east of the Jane Subway, on Wednesday and Thursday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 3 p.m. To honour David&rsquo;s memory, please consider a donation to the Joe Finley Centre for Head and Neck Cancer Research. A website has been set up for donations at http://pmhf3.akaraisin.com/Shumka.</div>