October 1, 1951 – November 5, 2013
It is with great sadness we announce that Dan has passed away after a long and brave battle with cancer. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family. Dan was born in Cranbrook, BC, and spent his childhood living in many communities all around the province. Dan was a proud husband, father, long-serving police officer, cook, adventurer, volunteer, baseball coach and inspiration to us all. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Barbara, son Jimmy, daughter Coralie, siblings Bob, Ted (Kathy), Donna, Mickey and Ken (Gail), cousin David (Genevieve), as well as several nieces and nephews, and many close friends. He lived every moment to its fullest and was known to always appreciate each of them by saying ‘it doesn’t get any better than this.’ He will always be appreciated and will forever be in our hearts.
There will be a Celebration of Life to remember Dan, on Saturday, November 16th at the Windsor Pavilion in Oak Bay at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Island Centre, or Victoria Hospice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
30 Responses
Dan was my field trainer at Oak Bay in 1996. I have many fond memories of him! He was always such a positive person and fun to be around.
My condolences.
Dear Barb, Jim and Coralie,
We were saddened to read this morning of Dan’s passing. He is free from his struggle now, but it is never easy no matter the circumstances to lose someone you love.
Our hearts go out to you and your family who will be a great support for you and each other.
Our minds have gone back to the time when our grandchildren came with Ian and Roxanne and you so kindly loaned us beach toys for them to play with. Happier days but lovely memories.
Please know that we will be thinking of you and send our love and deepest sympathy, Dan was surely one of the “good guys”.
Dell and Jack McDonald
We were saddened to hear of Dan’s passing. The fond memories of a life well lived remain in one’s heart forever.
Judy & Peter Weicker
There are no words! Our hearts go out to you Barb, Coralie and Jimmy. Dan was a man like no other. What a positive soul! We had so much fun at our themed crib nights. Mexican, German, Chinese, The Great White North and Dan’s fave, Italian! Wow, the memories we hold of the fun we had. That will keep the smile on our faces every time we think of Dan.
Will miss you Dan and yes, Frank still sucks at crib!
Love Cathy, Frank, Matt, Shelly and boys
Our deepest condolences to Barb, Coralie, and Jimmy. We also loved Dan, and especially loved his exhuberance for life, and its adventures. We were lucky to share some of those adventures, and Italy will always be a highlight in our lives. Thinking of him – his stories, his dinner parties, and love of people inspires us to make the most of our lives as he did. We will miss him. love, Linda and Roger
Good Morning Dan,
It’s with deep sadness I take this opportunity to write to you. I recently spoke with Dorothy JUNIO a day ago and she informed me that your condition had taken a different direction. Having been a policeman for the past 35 years, I have had, like you dealt with loss, but I always found the words to comfort others in their time of need. Today my friend I struggle to find those words to express how I feel for you. You are a member of a unique brotherhood, its an unwritten bond of friendship and mutual respect. I will never understand how life decides to treat us especially towards the end, I guess God has a plan and we need to trust in him. I know right know that you are most likely more concerned for your family and friends than for yourself, that’s the policeman in you, we are cut of a different cloth, always willing to put others first before ourselves. I don’t think society truly appreciates the many sacrifices we make each and everyday and how it takes its toll on us both physically and emotionally. I hope you take comfort in the fact that you, not only as an individual but as a policeman, have had an enormous effect on so many peoples lives for the better. I feel a man’s worth is never measured by what he has acquired throughout his life, but more on the many people he has touched and how his life and actions have positively influenced others. For that my friend you are a very wealthy man to be sure.
I have thought often of your wife and you, since our meeting that day in the chemo room. I can appreciate what your wife is experiencing and my heart and thoughts go out to her at this time. I hope you were able to check off some of those boxes on your bucket list, I’ve recently left policing partially because of Stephanie as her future too is uncertain.
When I became a sergeant in Edmonton, someone put this card under my blotter, I read it to myself each day before I started work, it helped give me some piece of mind that there was nothing I couldn’t handle, I thought it might apply to you today.
Lord,
Help me to remember
That nothing
Is going to happen
To me today
That you and I
Together can’t handle
I don’t believe in goodbyes Dan, let’s just say I’ll see you on the other side.
Respectfully Your Friend,
Larry Worock
P.S. I thought you might like the photo of Dave, Dorothy and I, friends from your past (EPS) and present (Oak Bay PD)
I wished to share this message to Dan will all that knew him……
Barb, Coralie and Jimmy – Chris and I share in your loss of Dan.
Ironically, if it had not been for the cancer, we would never have had
the pleasure of knowing Dan or your wonderful family. Truly, if it is
possible to think of a silver lining, Chris and I were the recipients
of it, enjoying his lively conversation, intelligence, fabulous gourmet
dinners and zest for life. He did everything just right during his
last year. We will remember him as a class act and an extraordinary
person. We miss him already.
Love
Colleen and Chris
God Saw You Getting Tired
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be so he put his arms around you and whispered, “Come to Me”
With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away
and although we love you dearly we could not make you stay.
A Golden heart stopped beating hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.
Barb:
Please accept our deepest sympathy and condolences on the passing of Dan. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Roland & Janice Retzlaff and Family
Barb, Jim and Coralie:
Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of Dan.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Rest in Peace Dan – you will be sorely missed!
Oh sweet Coralie, my heart breaks for you. You are a wonderful daughter and I’m so glad you were all together. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Xox Stephanie, Lucy and Piper