Dr. David Maxwell Dodge – Obituary
Dr. David Maxwell Dodge of Moncton, New Brunswick, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of June 11, 2025, surrounded by his devoted family, after courageously battling glioblastoma—an aggressive brain cancer—for two years.
Born on July 14, 1967, in St. John’s, Newfoundland, David was the son of Joan and Jehu Dodge. He spent his formative years in Gander, NL, where he attended high school before enrolling at Memorial University of Newfoundland. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Biology in 1990 and went on to receive his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1995. David pursued a specialization in Anesthesiology, completing his residency at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, in 2000.
Dr. Dodge dedicated his entire professional career to the Moncton Hospital, serving as an anesthesiologist and ICU physician from 2000 until the onset of his illness in June 2023. Admired by both colleagues and patients, David was celebrated not only for his medical expertise but also for his sharp wit and kind, compassionate bedside manner. One of his proudest moments was learning that his daughter Amy had been accepted to Dalhousie Medical School, Class of 2028.
During his time at MUN, David met fellow medical student Susan Skanes, who would become his wife, life partner, and the mother of his children. Married for 30 years, David and Susan recently celebrated their anniversary on June 3, just days before his passing. Together, they raised three children—Michael, Amy, and Anna—who were the center of David’s world.
David had a deep love for animals, which he passed on to his son Michael, now pursuing a career as a veterinary technician. Over the years, the family home welcomed many beloved pets, including four Bernese Mountain Dogs, a quirky Pug, a gentle Pit Bull mix, numerous cats, rabbits, reptiles, and more.
He was a passionate supporter of his children’s sports activities, taking on roles as coach, cheerleader, and team sponsor. From football games at Bernice MacNaughton High School to coaching girls’ soccer for Codiac Soccer and BMHS, to supporting Amy’s basketball journey and cheering for Anna as she played rugby for the University of Ottawa, David was always a presence on the sidelines and in the stands.
David himself was a lifelong athlete. He learned to ski at Marble Mountain and played competitive volleyball throughout his youth. He was a proud member of the 1985 Newfoundland Canada Games Volleyball Team and was named Athlete of the Year at Gander Collegiate that same year. As an adult, he became an avid runner and cyclist, participating in numerous marathons and triathlons—including the Ironman in 1993—and completing the Tough Mudder Bike Race in May 2023, just a month before his diagnosis. A steadfast Dallas Cowboys fan, David remained loyal through every high and low season.
David enjoyed the finer things in life—especially good wine, a smooth scotch, and a game of golf with friends. One of his greatest pleasures in later years was traveling with Susan, especially to Antigua, a cherished destination they visited often.
He is survived by his beloved wife Susan, and their children Michael, Amy, and Anna. He also leaves behind his mother Joan Dodge, siblings Jeff (Catherine), Stephen (Sandra), and Jennifer (Tamila), in-laws Melissa Skanes (Stephen Power) and Mark Skanes, along with 12 nieces and nephews and a great-niece. David was predeceased by his father, Jehu Dodge.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, June 16, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Cidery at 51 Acres, located at 47977 Homestead Rd, Lutes Mountain, NB, E2G 2M5.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fergusons Funeral Home, 1657 Mountain Road, Moncton (506-858-1995).