The Council mourns longtime member and friend of the Council of Canadians, David Lubell, who passed away on September 3rd, 2025, at the age of 83.
David founded the KW chapter of the Council of Canadians and built up the chapter to be a critical voice for climate justice, water protection, health care, Indigenous solidarity, and democracy in the region. From distributing lawn signs, canvassing, to meeting with local representatives and building broad-based coalitions, David could always be counted on to bring people together and advocate for many critical issues.
In 2015, David helped restart the Kitchener-Waterloo Council of Canadians Chapter and guide it for over a decade. David also supported other organizations such as the KW Health Coalition, Amnesty International, Fair Vote Canada and numerous others.
In 1969, David began teaching in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. His initial work was in Turkey and Syria (1963-64), Egypt (1966-67) and Afghanistan (1970), but he was fascinated by certain aspects of Algerian archaeology during the period from about 9,000 to 7,000 years ago. From then on, he concentrated on the Western Mediterranean Mesolithic period, just before the beginnings of an agricultural way of life. Although still interested in Algeria, where he had excavated for several years from 1972, political difficulties after his last work there in 1979 led him to work in Portugal from 1983.
From a young age, building on his upbringing, David was very committed to social justice. He was very involved in Fair Vote Canada and had executive positions in local chapters of both Amnesty International and the Council of Canadians. He also actively supported the Waterloo Region Health Coalition and served on the City of Waterloo Municipal Heritage Committee.
David was an adventurer and travelled widely in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Australia. He was an expert handyman and cook, and an animal lover, especially of cats. He also loved things French and Portuguese and had become fascinated with visiting the UK, where his father was born and his brother and cousins live. David inspired his children with his love of food, travel and an orientation towards problem-solving, things they carry with them today.
David inspired many activists, advocates and students in building a better world. We will miss David’s kindness, gentle but thoughtful presence, and steadfast commitment to his community.
