CelebriTree Program (2023)

Sugar Maple is the iconic tree of eastern Canada, much loved for its syrup and fall colour. This is an attractive cultivar called Apollo with dense branching and beautiful colour. It stands out in the landscape due to its concise columnar shape, fitting nicely into the landscape. Its fall leaves are described as being ‘gold to burnt orange’. It grows to about 10 metres at maturity, with a width of about 4 metres. This tree can be found in the maple area along Prince of Wales Drive, about 100 metres south of the roundabout, tucked in behind some tall honey locust trees.

Celebrating David Armitage

In Memory of David Armitage

This tree is being planted to celebrate David’s life and the joy he had as a hiker.  When living in Kingston, Ontario, David was an active member of the Rideau Trail Association, served a term as President and was an enthusiastic Trail Leader. He received the Rideau Trail Association Outstanding Service Award in 2008.

David was born in the UK to parents Harry Armitage and Lucy Edmonson in 1936. He had older siblings, Muriel, Donald and Denys. His mother died a few days after he was born and he and his sister Muriel were raised by his grandmother on his mother’s side. He was in contact with his father and older brothers and joined them when he was about 8.  David took a job as a telegraph boy and later qualified to work at the Lincoln Post Office. He was called up to serve his National Service and joined the Royal Army Core. On demobilization, he returned to Bradford, but then was seconded to work in Africa for several years with the Rhodesian Postal Service.

David was granted Leave of Absence to visit his relatives in Canada. He left the UK about 1970 and commenced travels in Canada. Besides visiting his relatives, he met his future wife, Miriam Sullivan. On her encouragement, he worked his way through University in Canada. He graduated with a BA from York U and a Masters from U of Toronto.

Miriam and David lived in a condo in Toronto. He worked as a public school teacher until retirement with the York School Board.  While working, they bought a country house in Bancroft, Ontario where they spent weekends. David enjoyed canoeing there and also raised bees for honey. When they both retired, they decided to sell both their Toronto condo and their Bancroft house and move to Kingston, Ontario where David could hike and they could have cultural events nearby.  In Kingston, David joined the Rideau trail Association and a Men’s Choir and a Church choir.

David’s wife, Miriam passed away in a Long Term Care Centre in 2011. David continued to be active when he moved to The Royal, a seniors residence in 2014. He later moved to Arbour Heights, a Long Term Care Centre in 2018 where he had wonderful care.  He passed away in 2023. He is survived by his niece, Elizabeth Robinson (Denis Robinson) in the UK and his niece, Mary Richardson (Wayne Richardson) in Canada.

Donated by Mary Richardson

A blue tree icon is a 2024 CelebriTree. A red tree icon is a 2023 CelebriTree.