Dave passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning, dying as he lived quietly and with dignity. Dave was born in Victoria, and grew up in Esquimalt. He enjoyed much of his childhood at the waterfront family cottage in East Sooke where he spent countless hours outdoors chopping wood, catching crab, and fishing with his siblings and parents. Dave was never happier at the cottage than when he was paddling the dugout canoe around Whiffen Spit. He attended the University of Victoria and obtained an honours degree in Physics. During the early 1970’s, Dave’s work with the hydrographic service took him to Ellesmere Island and further beyond the Arctic Circle. The time he spent in the Arctic was one of the greatest experiences of his life. Dave met his wife Taffy in 1971 and they celebrated their engagement in 1975 by taking a three-month road trip to Guatemala in a van camperized by Dave. This was just the start of their many travel adventures together. Dave returned to UVIC to complete a second degree in teaching in 1976 and married Taffy in 1977.
Dave was a man of science with the eye of an artist. A lifelong learner, and a master teacher, he dedicated much of his 35-year teaching career to the mentorship of his students. He will be remembered for his ability to give so much of himself to others, and always with such joy and enthusiasm. Dave retired from teaching in 2010 and pursued the life of a globe-trotting renaissance man. He took immense pleasure in creating works of beauty whether it was showcasing his fine-woodworking talent in furniture building and renovation of his beloved Oak Bay home, playing Beethoven on the old family piano, or taking the lead in flower arranging for his daughter Jenna’s wedding. His thirst for adventure and passion for travel took him on countless experiences through over forty countries. Dave had a spiritual reverence for nature, and treasured time spent on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, camping, hiking, and kayaking with his core group of “Brooks Peninsula Boys”.
He was deeply committed to environmental stewardship and spent over two decades as a key leader in the protection and restoration of Mount Tolmie Park. Dave had a thirst for knowledge and a genuine curiosity of others that allowed him to build meaningful connections with a broad range of people. His loss is immense, and will be felt by so many.
Predeceased by his father Walter Lock, (2002), his mother Gladys Lock, (2017) and his well-loved son (Ian Lock, 2018), Dave will be forever missed by his beloved wife of 42 years, Taffy, his cherished daughter Jenna and son-in-law Nick, siblings Norman, Doreen (Fred), Alan, brother-in-law Tony (Hilary) as well as nieces, nephews, and many close friends.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.Those who knew him well know that Dave was a master fire builder and loved nothing more than to sit back and enjoy a roaring wood fire. Light a fire for Dave to honour the well-lived life of this irreplaceable man.
Flowers gratefully declined.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
23 Responses
Dave was my homeroom teacher at Reynolds, I remember him as a kind happy man, who had the nicest smile. Left this life far too soon…sending my condolences to his family.
We were just now informed of Dave’s death. What a shock. We only knew him through the Mt Tolmie Conservancy Association which was a remarkable period to learn of his limitless hunger for more knowledge of the plants on Mt Tolmie and nature in general. He spent hours in Mt Tolmie Park after retiremeant and apart from clearing broom from much of it he organized the Conservancy; filling out the President’s duties and also the Treasureer’s function sending annual reports of our society to the government.
Dave never stopped teaching and escorted classes of students from various schools to help remove broom seedlings,learn the names of native plants and in general the Garry Oak Meadow Habitat. His hunger for travel never ceased during these activities, nor did his urge to go camping, hiking and kayaking. He was truly and outdoors man.
In addition Dave was a great friend for the 25 years we both knew him and we will miss him so very much
We are so saddened to hear about Dave’s passing. What a kind, gentle and knowledgeable man he was! His dedication to the restoration of the camas oak habitats on Mount Tolmie was monumental, and we will always think of him when we go there – especially when the camas are colouring the hilltop a brilliant blue. His friends on the Mount Tolmie Conservancy will miss him so much and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to Taffy, Jenna, Nick and all his family. Dave’s bright, strong spirit will live on in the hearts of all the people he touched and in the lands and waters where he loved to be. Nancy and Bob Turner
Taffy and family, I’m very sorry to hear of Dave’s death. It’s hard for me to imagine the sorrow you must feel at the loss of this vital, interesting and caring man. My contact with him has been in the Mount Tolmie Conservancy, where we relied on him to do virtuallly all the work. I hope to be able to attend the celebration of his life.
Working alongside Dave on Mt. Tolmie was always a peaceful and soul-filling experience. For the past decade, Dave taught our students (from over 25 different countries around the world) about ecosystems, invasive species, and showed them how to get their hands dirty, pulling broom and hacking and removing Himalayan blackberry. I would imagine that he has supported over 1000 students over the years from SMUS to learn about service work. We are so grateful.
As a teenager, I had the good fortune to live on Mt. Tolmie for two years. I remember the mountain when it was covered from top to bottom with broom. To see the hill in its current splendor is a complete transformation. Dave’s leadership has made a lasting and significant legacy.
We will miss him.
Taff I am so sorry. I remember you two in the early years as starry eyed young lovers. Sending love to you from an old friend.
Taffy, Jenna, Norman, Alan, Doreen and the rest of the family; your loss of dear Dave is so difficult for us. It is unfathomable how you must feel. Dear Dave, you are loved by so many……….we will miss you, oh so much!
Bob Dugas and Barbara Forrest Pannell
Taffy: Our sincere condolences — what a terrible and sad loss, way too early. Sincerely Christine & Joe Kiss
Dearest Taffy, we are heart broken for your loss. Please know that we truly care, and although our paths have diverged I think of you often.
I am saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. I have fond memories of him when we worked together many years ago on restoration work parties on Mount Tommie. The Park was part of the Garry Oak Restoration Project of which I was the co-ordinator. I remember Dave’s enthusiasm for nature and his incredible energy for looking after the Park. I also remember his friendly and supportive way with the students and volunteers who came to help out in the Park. His contribution to the beauty of natural areas in Victoria was enormous. I am sorry for your loss.