Retired Kingston firefighter remembered for service and community ties
Kingston is mourning the death of David James Froats, a retired firefighter with the City of Kingston, who died on July 19, 2026 after a brief, two-month illness attributed to aggressive brain cancer. He was 80, having been born on July 17, 1945. Funeral arrangements have been made through James Reid Funeral Home in Kingston.
The family notes Mr. Froats’ long-standing connection to Kingston through his public service and his life outside the job. In retirement, he devoted time to boating and building projects, and he spent recent years restoring classic cars and taking pride in a home renovation he completed with his wife. A short family statement captures his career in public safety:
“David was a retired firefighter from the City of Kingston.”
Visitation, funeral and interment details
The family will receive visitors at James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Blvd., on two occasions this week. A funeral service in the on-site chapel will follow Thursday’s visitation, with interment at Olivet Cemetery afterward.
| Event | Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitation | Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | 7:00–9:00 p.m. | James Reid Funeral Home, 1900 John Counter Blvd., Kingston |
| Visitation | Thursday, July 23, 2026 | 10:00–10:50 a.m. | James Reid Funeral Home, Chapel |
| Funeral service | Thursday, July 23, 2026 | Immediately after visitation | James Reid Funeral Home, Chapel |
| Interment | Thursday, July 23, 2026 | Following service | Olivet Cemetery |
Family and community acknowledgements
Mr. Froats is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judith (Brydges); his daughter, Kimberly McMullen (Kyle); and two grandsons, Dylan McMullen (Shauna Barton) and Cody McMullen. He is also survived by his estranged son, Jeff (Fiona), and their children, Ryann and Cailynn. He was predeceased by his parents, Percy and Helen Froats.
The family expressed appreciation to friends, neighbours and health-care teams who provided care and support, including nursing staff on Kidd 3 and the palliative care unit at Providence Care, as well as Dennis Payne and extended relatives. Their acknowledgements reflect the network of support common to many local families navigating end-of-life care in Kingston’s hospital and palliative settings.
How residents can pay respects
Attendance at the visitations and chapel service is open to friends, former colleagues and community members wishing to pay respects. The family has suggested memorial donations to the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada in Mr. Froats’ honour.
- Public visitations: Wednesday evening and Thursday morning at James Reid Funeral Home.
- Funeral service: Thursday in the funeral home chapel, followed by burial at Olivet Cemetery.
- Memorials: Donations to the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada, as indicated by the family.
Local context
Firefighters in Kingston are often among the first to respond to emergencies ranging from fires to medical calls. While the obituary does not detail Mr. Froats’ years of service or specific stations, his career as a municipal firefighter places him among the city’s essential public responders. Community turnout at funerals for retired members typically reflects the close ties between the fire service and residents it serves. The scheduled arrangements in Kingston provide an opportunity for friends, neighbours and former colleagues to honour that record of service.
