TORONTO — Hotelier David Allan Ogilvie, 67, of Toronto, died of heart failure at St. Michael’s Hospital on August 29 after a lengthy illness.
Ogilvie was the epitome of a hotelier, with old school hospitality values and genuine interest in caring for guests and employees, family and friends. He also worked for the betterment of the overall hospitality sector and was particularly proud of his many years of work with Destination Toronto, lastly chairing that organization for three years. He spent many of his vacations doing good works, such as building homes and digging water wells with Habitat for Humanity in countries around the world.
The well-respected hotelier grew up in Montreal before moving to London, U.K. in 1974 to attend the University of West London’s College of Hospitality & Tourism. His distinguished career began at the Sheraton Mont Royal in Montreal, moving in 1982 to the Sheraton Centre Toronto as Sales director. He rose quickly to become director of the Sheraton global sales team in Toronto and when Sheraton became Starwood Hotels & Resorts, he led the Canadian sales team, before moving to Connecticut as VP of Global Corporate Travel. After his time in the U.S., he returned to Toronto as general manager of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, followed by a corporate role as VP of Sales in the years before he retired in 2013.
He is survived by his son Brian (wife Lauren) and granddaughter Emma; son Jack and daughter Madison; sisters Diane, Virginia, Bonnie, Diana, Trish; brothers Peter, Chris; and his many nieces and nephews, to whom he was cool Uncle David. He is predeceased by his parents Lorne Frederick Wilson Ogilvie and Marjorie Brock DuFeu; sister Brenda, Yvonne; brothers Jody, Geoffrey.
There will be a Celebration of Life this fall (details to follow). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House in Toronto — Ogilvie proudly served on its Board and the work it does was very close to his heart.
