David was born in Newcastle, Northern England in 1949. Predeceased by Elizabeth his mother and Thomas his father. Survived by his loving wife Diane, daughter Denise, son Dale and his partner Angela, granddaughter Alyssa, sister Joanne, her husband John, and niece Tylar.
Dave always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. Retired seven years ago from a life in public service, his years as a Youth Correctional Officer positively impacted countless lives.
Dave loved fishing off Beechey Head and Race Rocks and gardening around the house. For many years, if he wasn’t doing one he was enjoying the other.
Always willing to lend a hand and support the many members of our extended family and beyond, he is belovedly known as Uncle Dave. He became the rock of our family the day he entered into it in 1972.
Diane and Dave met in 1972 while working at the Empress Hotel – a true love story that has endured more than 46 years. Dave immigrated to Canada to find his beloved. You could still see them holding hands and talking lovingly to each other after all these years.
Dave was a loving and supportive father with unwavering integrity – his example lives on in Denise and Dale and all those whose lives he touched.
Host Father to 100s of international students, all loved him dearly and wanted a husband that treated them the same way he treated Diane.
Dave loved being the neighbourhood watch co-captain on our cul-de-sac. One of his favourite things to do was keep an eye on the everyday comings and goings of all.
Dave was the children and animal whisperer – no child or animal could resist his pure heart.
Most of all, Dave’s sense of humour will be dearly missed.
Diane, Denise and Dale would like to thank the army of doctors and nurses that worked tirelessly to care for dad over the past 7 weeks. A special thank you to Dr. Buie and to the Palliative Care team that provided exceptional care in the final days of his life.
The family request that no flowers be bought and that Dave’s wishes of donations to the Hospice Society https://www.victoriahospice.org/donate or the SPCA https://spca.bc.ca/donate/ be made in lieu.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Christian Hauer
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kerry My condolences to the Armstrong family. I will sure miss seeing his face at the mall. May your many years of fun memories and stories help you during this sad time.
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Alf & Cheryl Reda Dear Diane and family,
We were shocked and saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this difficult time.
We have great memories of our time spent working at the Empress Hotel, and one of the nicest was the friendship we developed with you and Dave. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could always cheer some one up on a down day.
When we got engaged we asked Dave to be the best man. He said yes. We were married August 3 1974 and Dave was a wonderful ‘ best man’.
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Bruce Kelly Diane , Dale and family; so sorry for your loss and sincere condolences from Jenn and I. I am proud to have called Dave a friend and colleague for many years at Youth Services. Dave was one of the most compassionate, patient, positive people I have known- Dave was the best ! Love from Bruce and Jenn.
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Julie Dillon Diane, Denise & Dale –
I was very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. My thoughts are with each of you, during this very sad and difficult time.
Sincerely,
Julie Dillon
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Susan Haskins Sweet memories will carry you through this sad time. A dear gentle Geordie who will be missed by many.
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Patty Cushing Dale & family,
Sending our heartfelt condolences to you & yours.
The Cushing Clan
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Steve Howell Dave was a man of sterling character – honest, conscientious and caring. It was a privilege to work with him at the youth custody centre. As a senior officer, David was frequently in charge of a shift, and managed the staff and the residents with skill, fairness and intelligence. He was respected and trusted by everyone. My sincerest condolences to Diane and all the family.
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Sandie Cutler Diane Denise and Dale and all of your extended family
I was truly shocked to hear that Dave was ill and then of his passing so soon after. Always loved are little chats while he waited for you to get off work all those years. He will truly be missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs to you all!
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Barbara Wotten (Orr) Dear Diane and family,
What a beautifully written testament to an obviously well loved man!
I hope your years of love and happy memories help to give you strength to endure this loss.
My prayers are with you and your family.Barbara Wotten (Orr)
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Kerri Hornett Diane,Denise,Dale- My thoughts are with you all at this very sad time, It was always a pleasure to see Dave when he came into the office, he was always so kind and pleasant. My deepest condolences to you
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Marlene Reichert Diane, Denise and Dale ~ My heartfelt condolences and sympathies for your loss. You were one of the lucky ones to have had a husband/father who loved you and who was loved by so many. He will be missed!
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Rhonda and Jim Scott Diane and family, I am so sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. Please accept my family’s heartfelt condolences. Dave was a great guy, devoted father and loving husband, he will truly be missed.
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Cheryle I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Dave was a kind man that will be missed by all who had the honor of meeting him. My deepest condolences to the whole family.
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Paul LeBlanc Condolences, to you an your family Dale.
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Katy McGarr Denise, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know what an amazing man your father must have been because the woman you are. I know he will be deeply missed.
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Chapka My condolences,
I have had few times phone conversations with him from very far away , he was so lovely and kind in his words in all times when I closed the phone i was in a hope to hear from him again as I really enjoyed listening to him and I was getting benefit from every single word from him, we arranged more than once to come and visit our country in the Middle East to visit his daughter and we really were excited to have him here but unfortunately couldn’t make it .
RIP
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Mike Lewis Dave was a great person. I worked with Dave for many years while with the BC Government. He was the nicest guy one could ever meet. He was awesome at working with the most troubled youth in care. He was a very valuable, dependable and punctual individual. I learned so much from him and he made me a better officer and person. He had a great sense of English humor and we laughed many times. After he retired it was a pleasure seeing him again and going for lunch with him and his son Dale. So sorry to hear of his passing.
My condolences go out to his family at this time.
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Diane Wilson Dale, Angela and Diane,
My sincere condolences to all of you at this sad time.
Love to all of you,
Diane and Dale Wilson
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Karin/Roger Boothroyd It wasn’t that long ago that I bumped into you and Dave at the Tillicum Mall. You hadn’t recognized me until I said “hi Dianne”. It was, I think, the first time we’d seen each other since my retirement from Government in ’98.
Our condolences to you and your family – he was much too young.Roger & Karin Boothroyd
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Shirley Waldon Diane, Denise, Dale – My thoughts and prayers go with all of you during this difficult time. Dave was such a gentle soul whose warmth and charm just spoke volumes of the man that he was. I always enjoyed talking with him whenever we met up. He will be sorely missed.
Shirley Waldon
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Khalida hasan Dear Ms. Denise
My small family and I send you our deep condolences.
We are deeply sad and very sorry for your loss.
May rest in peace and may Lord bless his soul .
Kind regards
Khalida hasan
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Dean Melanson Dave was the kindest, most genuine man I ever met. We worked together at Juvi for over 20 years. He started as a chef in the kitchen, but I knew his genuine care for the residents would better be served working directly with the kids. One fateful year, I decided to cater the volunteer banquet with Shaun Stokes. Didn’t have any experience but went for it anyway. We could never have pulled it off without Dave, who jumped in to save the day.
Another memory is when Dave came up to Port Renfrew to fish with Tony Guarascio and I. The waves were so bad, everyone was hurling. I asked Dave if he wanted to go back to shore, but of course he wouldn’t give in. We ended up having a great day. A man of truth, integrity, grit and honor. I will miss you my friend!
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Lance Morgan My condolences – I remember working with Dave at Jean Guys Restaurant… always a great man.
Lance Morgan
So sad to hear of David’s passing. He was well liked and respected by everybody at “Juvie” (including the residents).
We lost a great man too soon, but his spirit will live on and watch over his family from above!