The school bus driver killed in a collision with a police cruiser northwest of Woodstock is being remembered as a family man who loved his profession.
David James Stewart spent more than a decade driving children to school. It was the 71-year-old’s second act following a successful career as a motorcycle and small engine mechanic.
“After retiring, David spent 12 years driving school bus, a profession he loved. He loved NASCAR, the NFL, and fishing, but family was everything,” an obituary for Stewart states. “He was greatly loved, and he will be greatly missed.”
Stewart was the “best friend and beloved husband” to his wife for 47 years. His obituary states he was a loving father to four daughters and “proud grandpa and papa” to seven grandchildren and two great-granddaughters.
The crash that claimed Stewart’s life happened just before 7 a.m. on Monday when a school bus and an unmarked police cruiser collided at the intersection of Highway 59 and Oxford Road 33. Both drivers died as a result of their injuries and there were no passengers in either vehicle, Oxford OPP confirmed.
Detective Constable Steven Tourangeau. Photo provided by OPP.
The other driver killed in the collision has been identified as Detective Constable Steven Tourangeau with the Huron-Perth OPP’s community street crime unit. He was a 35-year-old father of three. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for his wife Danikah and their three young sons.
The intersection where the crash happened is controlled by east-west stop signs equipped with flashing red lights. It was slated to be changed to a four-way stop with a rumble strip and reduced speed limits next month. London police have taken over the investigation into the crash.
Tributes to Stewart have been pouring in online.
“I will never forget how friendly he was and what a great bus driver he was,” wrote a fellow bus driver. “The bus kids adored Dave. I’ve heard such great stories about things he did for them… I was honored to drive with Dave. I will miss him so much.”
A woman who identified herself as Stewart’s niece stated that the 71-year-old had an “infectious laugh and was always smiling.”
“He will never be forgotten,” she added.
Another person wrote “Dave was such a wonderful man and amazing bus driver for our kids. We will miss him and his daily smiles and greetings dearly.”
That comment was left on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money to cover funeral costs.
As of Tuesday morning, over $10,000 had been donated.
Visitations for Stewart will be held at the Brock and Visser Funeral Home at 845 Devonshire Ave. in Woodstock on June 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and June 6 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel following the June 6 visitation. Donation in Stewart’s memory can be made to Ronald McDonald House or the Canadian Diabetes Association.
