Born in Edmonton to Lt. Commander, W. Cyril L. Webster and Joan Alice (nee Teasdale); the family soon moved back to their home in Victoria, where all 4 grandparents resided. Dave was proud of his 4th generation Victoria heritage. His great, great Uncle George Ellery, (street in Esquimalt), moved to Victoria in 1868 from England.
Dave attended Willows Elementary school, and graduated in 1963 from Oak Bay High School. Dave had fond memories of classmates back to kindergarten days and delighted in attending school reunions. An active member of the Victoria YMCA Leaders’ Club for many years, Dave enjoyed gymnastics and taught swimming classes.
Following graduation, Dave joined the Bank of Montreal and worked in Kaslo, Prince George and Nanaimo before landing a Victoria based government job. Dave was a highly respected BC civil servant for 41 years. He retired from the Ministry of Finance (Taxation) in 2009. His aptitude for figures and meticulous attention to detail was recognized and appreciated.
Dave and Linda met skiing on Green Mountain, SW of Nanaimo, where they enjoyed participating in activities with the Green Mountain Sno-Birds Ski Club. They married in 1968 and in 1970 moved into a one room summer cabin in a rural area that would eventually become known as the District of Highlands. Dave proceeded to design and build a new home, double A-frame ski chalet style of course, while raising two young sons and commuting daily to the Parliament Buildings. Finances were tight, so high school shop courses and research skills came in handy as Dave tackled all the trades. He proudly passed house wiring on his first inspection. Dave was a consummate researcher and master “Do-It-Yourself-er” long before You-Tube videos. He loved to apply his analytical mind to anything that needed fixing. Over the years he happily donated his skills, ingenuity and meticulous attention to detail to countless projects for family and friends.
Dave enjoyed many activities. Wilderness canoeing, camping and sailing occupied many summers while alpine skiing remained a winter passion for over 50 years. Dave enjoyed his motorcycles plus fun holidays bicycle touring in BC, and the Maritimes with family and friends. A few years with the North Saanich Yacht Club provided companionship cruises around the San Juan and Gulf Islands with the annual Hunter rendezvous’ at Telegraph Cove an outing not to be missed. Also, in retirement Dave enjoyed his daily Sudoku, playing social bridge, and travelling more extensively abroad. A highlight was a wonderful 50th wedding anniversary tour of Australia and New Zealand.
A kind, considerate gentleman, Dave is survived by his beloved family: his wife of 54 years, Linda (nee Robinson), son Bruce (Laura), Meagan and Thomas; son Brian (Monique), Ava and Jenna. Dave is also survived by a loving extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law and brothers-in-law plus long-time supportive friends and Highlands neighbours. Dave was predeceased by his parents and sister, Carol Case. Family meant everything to Dave. He was so proud of his sons and delighted in supporting his grandchildren’s activities and successes.
In lieu of flowers, should you wish to make a donation, Dave requested Cancer Research: https://thepmcf.ca/ the MS Society of Canada: https://mscanada.ca/ or the Heart and Stroke Foundation: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/
A Celebration of Dave’s Life will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in the Sequoia Centre, at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccalgardens.com
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Donna Wilson
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Annamarie and Greg Sivertson Our deepest condolences to the Webster family, especially Linda who has lost the love of her life. May you be comforted by the many wonderful memories you have all made together. It is obvious that Dave was deeply loved and will be missed by all whole knew him.
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Diane Boughey Dear Linda
We want to let you know that we had planned to attend the service tomorrow but Fran has hurt her back and we won’t be able to get there. We were both very sorry to hear about David. We have enjoyed chatting with him at the various gatherings over the years and it was always fun to reminisce with him about our family times at Qualicum. A huge loss for you and your family. We’ll be thinking of you tomorrow and with fond memories of Dave .
Sending hugs,
Diane Boughey and Fran Sadler
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Dawn Miller I met Linda at UBC before she married Dave and I Barry. Thus our friendship has spanned many years. Although we moved to a Saskatchewan farm for 40 years, we still maintained active contact and time together. They, with their 2 boys visited us in Sask. When we came to BC, we always spent a few days at Fork Lake at their beautiful home. It was interesting to see the gradual move from the initial cabin to the first half, and then to the finished double A-frame beauty it is today. We were able to give each of our families memorable experiences in such diverse environments.
Linda and I have more “driven” personalities. Dave and Barry were both much more laid back. The foursome worked well. Linda and I would climb a mountain, hike or canoe while the guys would sit on the deck discussing some project to attack together. They did many fun projects. I remember them trying to invent a weed cutter attached to a canoe to deal with invasive water lilies! Linda was a great cook, but Dave often was manning the BBQ on the deck. There were many conversations around the fire pit as the sun set. It’s hard to adjust knowing and accepting that Dave is gone. However he’ll always be with us; he’s part of our shared history.
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Annette MacDonald Thank you for your friendship, we so enjoyed our skiing with the gang. Keep those fond memories close to your heart. Thinking and praying for you all. In friendship ANNETTE and WAYNE MACDONALD.
We are sorry to offer our regrets for the Celebration of Dave’s life, we will be attending our granddaughter’s graduation that day. Take care Annette
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John & Sherry Butler Dear Linda,
We met you and David at bridge in Colwood and liked you both from the start. We’ve missed you. We’re so sorry for your loss. Be gentle on yourself and we hope you’ll come back to bridge at the Centre again.
John & Sherry Butler
Sooke BC
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Vince Case Linda, Bruce, and Brian,
Dave is dearly missed. There are no words that can help with the pain of this loss.
All we can do is lean on our friends and family to help us through it.
I’m so glad we got the opportunity to visit with all of you so recently, despite the reasons for it.
It’s been a rough time for our families, and the support from you and Dave was fantastic.
You know we’re here to help in any way we can.
Hug your family tight.Much love,
Vince
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Carolyn vincent Linda l feel the grief and pain that you are going through. I lost my life buddy last year as you may know. Life is very different. All of us at bridge are concerned for you and we hope you cone back when you are ready.
To the Webster family
I was so sorry to hear about Dave’s passing.