April 8,1920 – December 5, 2011
Dave was born and grew up in Victoria. He was the fifth in a family of eight. After attending Victoria High School, he joined Cameron Lumber company until enlisting in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corp. He attended Sandhurst Military College. During the war, he was wounded in battle in 1944 at Cyrk, Holland. He was also a member of the Canadian Scottish and the Black Watch. He was discharged with the rank of Captain. After the war, he was a proud member of the Fourandex, Third Div PETROL Coy. and the Order of Masons. He married Dorothy in 1944 and enjoyed 55 years of marriage until her death. Their two children survive him. He joined BC Forest Products where he was the Sales Supervisor in Victoria, Manager for their Hammond Mill in Haney, and Manager of Nalos Lumber in Vancouver. After, he became the Manager of Seaboard Terminal in Vancouver. After retirement, they returned to Victoria where he enjoyed his passion as a gentleman farmer at the Barker Farm. In May 2003, he married Evelyn Pharoah, enjoying their love together until his death.
He leaves to mourn his sons David (Irene) and Philip (Diann); his grandchildren Kevin, Michelle, Karen and Stephen and his great grandchildren Savannah, Nathan, Cassidy, Linden, Helena and another due in January; his sister Evelyn; brothers Roy and Bill; and sister in law June. He leaves his wife Evelyn and her two daughters Barbara (Kirby) and Vicki (Brad) and a very large extended family, and many friends.
Thank you to Drs. Caroline Stigant and Richard Kennedy.
A service will be held at McCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson and Vancouver Streets, on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at 2 pm.
Dave requests donations be made to the following charities:
1st. Open Heart Society of BC, 1580 Pembroke St., Victoria, BC V8R 1W2
L.Gen. Ashton Armouries Museum, 724 Vanalman Ave., Victoria, BC V8Z 3B5
The Land Conservancy of BC, 301-1195 Esquimalt Rd, Victoria, BC V9A 3N6
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Teri Simmons
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Pat Shera Phil & Diann
Very sorry that I am unable to attend the service for your father. It is obvious that Phil shares his father’s love of the outdoors because it continues to show through in Phil’s art and commitment to bringing newcomers into boating. I can only give you our sympathy and support. Please let me know of anything that Rosalind or I (or your friends in the squadron) can do on your behalf.
– Pat
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Cousin Catherine, Justin, Jade & Thomas Cast, Carlton, Nottm U.K I remember meeting Uncle Dave in 1994 when my daughter Jade was 1 year old, this was at Granny Bunnys house. He was a lovely guy and I enjoyed his visit and chatting with him. He had many stories to tell us which were very interesting. He was such a gentle kind man. Our thoughts are with you and family at this sad time.
Lots of love Catherine, Justin, Jade and Thomas Cast xx
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Michelle Porter If you have found yourself here, you likely already know what a wonderful person my Grandfather was. We all have our special memories that will live on in our hearts. What you may not know, and what I would like to share with you, is how he will live on in more than memories.
Growing up my brother and I had a wonderful, caring father. He raised us with patience and a gentle nature. Our father never raised a hand to us, and rarely his voice. That I attribute to the love with which he was raised. My Grandfather lived his life as an example of how to truly live. How to raise a family with love and care, and now this will live on in future generations. My Grandparents gave me this gift, and now my children. My kids are blessed with wonderful, loving, caring Grandparents.
To my oldest daughter he has left a true love of the ocean, and all things nature. He was a great outdoorsman, and this will live on in Savannah. The ocean is her solitude, her place. As it was his.
To my son, he gave him an incredible sense of adventure. His Scouting legacy lives on. My son loves to hike, camp, and be out exploring. He has given Nathan a gift that will that lead to many new experiences in his life.
In my littlest Angel, his true love of people and his gentle nature lives on. A piece of his heart will always live on in her empathetic, compassionate soul. Every life Cassidy touches is brighter, as every life my Grandfather touched is.
So while we all say he lives on in our hearts, he truly lives on in those he has left behind too. And for that, we are all blessed.
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Cousin Lesley & Pete Shaw, Ruddington, Notts U.K To Evelyn, David, Philip & Families
You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. We have very special memories of Uncle Dave when he visited us in 1994. My Mum (Bunny) really enjoyed seeing him again. We will remember Uncle Dave as a lovely guy, a true gentleman, full of fun who loved life.
He will have left a hole in your lives, but a man like him leaves a legacy to you all of how to live a good life and earn the respect of his fellow man!
God bless to you all
Lesley & Pete xx
Lamentations Ch3: v22-23
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Kurt Pyrch It was with great sadness that the Management and Staff of the Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn learned of the passing of our friend Mr. David Barker. There are, over the course of time, special people who become more than just valued customers. Mr. Barker, a true Gentleman Soldier, was one of those people and he will be missed by all of us who knew him. Capt. Barker (Ret) and all of the other members of the 3rd Petrol Company were and will always remain special to us.
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Ted Leaker I only knew Dave for a short time, but it was an honour and a privilege to have met and talked with him. You have my sincerest condolences.
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Marian Paris & Jeremy Long To Phil, Diann and all your family,
So sad to hear this day has arrived. Condolences to everyone. May you find comfort in the new world you now inhabit, where the spirit and guidance of your father flourishes deeply within your hearts where you are never parted.
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Heather, Dale, Annie and Ruby Letkeman We loved Dave and will forever remember him. He was such a wonderful man and made my Nana so very happy. Our thoughts & prayers are with your during this difficult time.
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Fern and Mark Perkins Dear Aunt Evelyn, Dave, Phil and all your families,
You are in our thoughts and prayers as we are very sad to learn of Uncle Dave’s passing. We have many fond memories of Uncle Dave and we will miss him.
May you be comforted by a lifetime of memories.
Love Fern and Mark
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Margery and Len Bridgeman Uncle David was our sponsor for coming to Canada and we will never forget him for that. He was always the gentleman and our Aunty Dorothy adored him. He was lucky to find and fall in love with another lovely lady who cared for him. I remember him being in the Scouts and doing so well, but then he did well at whatever he attempted. He has a loving family that will remember him. May he rest in Peace.
The Bridgeman family.
Evelyn is a dear family friend whom I haven’t had contact with in many years. She and my mother Patti Cassidy were best of friends and did catering and cakes together. I would love to be in contact with Evelyn again. I can be reached through my email above. I am truly sorry for the loss of your husband.
Teri Cassidy Simmons