Dave MacRitchie, a prominent auto industry leader, and former dealer, died suddenly on Nov. 12. He was 55.
MacRitchie was President & Chief Operations Officer of the Steele Auto Group, overseeing 20 dealerships representing 23 brands in Atlantic Canada.
He was also the current President of the Nova Scotia Automobile Dealers Association (NSADA), a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) and a member of CADA’s Garage Insurance Committee.
In a note forwarded to NSADA members, Executive Vice-President, John Sutherland, expressed his condolences. “It is with a heavy heart that I forward to you Rob Steele’s announcement. Dave MacRitchie was President of NSADA, and a Director of our national association, CADA. Dave was one of Canada’s foremost retail automotive leaders. We will miss him. Our condolences and thoughts are with his family, and his colleagues at the Steele Group,” said Sutherland.
Rob Steele, Chief Executive Officer of the Steele Group also shared his thoughts to industry colleagues. “It is with great sadness that I inform you of the passing of our dear friend and colleague Dave MacRitchie, over the weekend. For the last seven years, Dave has been a leader, a mentor and a friend to all of us at the Steele Auto Group,” wrote Steele.
“He impressed all around him with his knowledge, his tenacity and work ethic and his willingness to lend an ear or a hand. He was very proud of our team and the growth of the business he championed over his tenure and more than anyone valued the people assets around him. Dave was an extraordinary person. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family during this difficult time. This is truly a great loss to our organization, to our community and to all who had the pleasure to have known and met Dave. He will be profoundly missed by everyone whose lives he touched and influenced.”
John White, President & CEO of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association also expressed his condolences on behalf of the association. “The auto industry has lost a great leader. Dave MacRitchie exhibited the qualities and character traits that put him among the very best in our industry. He will be sorely missed. We greatly appreciate his service as a Board member with the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, and his work on our Garage Insurance Committee. We will all miss his many contributions to our association and to our industry. On behalf of CADA, and Dave’s fellow Board members, we express our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues at this most difficult time.”
From his obituary, we note that Dave was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia on December 20, 1961, he was the son of Patricia MacRitchie and the late Kenneth MacRitchie.
Surviving are his wife of 30 years, Cathy (Hill), his daughters, Annie and Kristen, his mother Patricia MacRitchie, his brother John (Ingrid van Leeuwen), niece Margaret.
Also surviving are his aunts Ily Connell and Marilyn and Francis MacLeod and many cousins. He was predeceased by his father Kenneth, and his Aunts Mary and Violet “Tooty” MacRitchie. Donations in his memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice.
Dave completed his Bachelor of Commerce at Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB in 1984 and then pursued his Master of Business Administration at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax through part time studies and completing in 1997.
He began his career in the automotive industry at MacPhee Pontiac in Dartmouth in 1991. With the support of Al MacPhee, Dave bought and ran Northumberland Pontiac in New Glasgow for 10 years from 1998 to 2008, growing the business and maintaining an active role in the community. In 2009, Dave returned to Dartmouth to work as an automotive consultant and was instrumental in several car dealership mergers and acquisition.
In 2011, Dave joined the Steele Automotive group as their Chief Operating Officer and later as the President. He was very proud of the growth and success of the group over the past seven years. Never one for the limelight, Dave led by example.
He treated staff, suppliers, and customers always with respect and with competence and always guided by the principle to do the right thing. His work ethic and attention to detail set a high bar.
According to his obituary, outside of work, Dave could successfully put his hand to just about anything — plumbing, electrical, engines, landscaping, and weather forecasting. He rarely sat still for long, except perhaps to catch a game of the Green Bay Packers.
Dave loved his beautiful home nestled away in the woods on Pictou Harbour and could be found on most weekends plowing snow, mowing grass, trimming trees or puttering in the garage. Dave was someone who just got things done and done well. He was quick to share his efforts with others at work and in his family life. His counsel and his hard work will be forever missed.
On behalf of Canadian auto dealer, we express our sincere condolences to his friends, family, co-workers, and many friends throughout the auto industry.
