Gloucester - Dr. David Rideout, 76, of Lanesville, died at his home on Sunday July 5, 2026 from cancer.

He was born in Montreal, Quebec to the late Dr. Chester Rideout, a WWII RAF Pilot and Gladys ("Pat") Rideout, a school teacher from London, England. He was raised outside of Vancouver, British Columbia, with his four siblings who survive him: John, Greg, Anne and Catherine. He traveled after high school, first across Canada, and eventually to Dublin, Ireland, where he attended a year at Trinity College, made lifelong friendships, and met the mother of his three older children (Kathleen Kiley). After meeting in Dublin, David and another Canadian, Ray Amiro, wrote Handbook Canada, a guidebook encouraging budget travel and exploration across Canada in the 1970s. Ray would become his best friend. David's adventurous spirit of travel would inspire each of his children to set off on their own travels once they came of age.

David returned to Montreal to complete his education, and like his father, and later his son, attended medical school at McGill University, graduating in 1980. He met his wife Heidi Redston at the Montreal General Hospital, whose long partnership and marriage would last the rest of his life. David completed training in the new specialty of Emergency Medicine before settling in Cornwall, Ontario where he became the Chief of Staff at the Cornwall General Hospital. They welcomed a daughter together before moving to Gloucester, attracted by its coastal beauty and seafaring history. Only later did they learn that his Rideout ancestors from England had settled right there in the early 1700s.

David was a beloved physician at Addison Gilbert and Beverly Hospital for decades. He and Heidi lovingly cared for their home and gardens near Plum Cove for over 30 years. If he wasn't in the garden or working in his workshop, he enjoyed skiing, playing cribbage with Heidi, coastal walks, and watching the Montreal Canadiens play. David was a unique combination of talents: the mind of an engineer and architect, hands of a craftsman and builder, but also a creative artistic spirit with a very funny sense of wit and humor. To his children, he was a modern-day Renaissance man. He built a whimsical playhouse in the backyard that delighted his youngest daughter and eventually his grandchildren. In his final days he looked over his yard and playhouse with the assistance of a wheelchair. His grandchildren filled the playhouse yet again, squealing with laughter and imaginative play. His illness was precipitous but brief and he died surrounded by his loved ones at home. He is survived by his wife of over 35 years Heidi, sons Dr. Jesse Rideout (Sarah Collins) and Noel Rideout (Christine Salzer) and daughters Catlin Rideout and Chloë Rideout (Joseph Apathy). His legacy will live on in the patients he treated and lives he saved, as well as his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Opportunities Fund or Doctors Without Borders. Memorial Services will be private.