David Michael Chupick

My deepest condolences to Sally and family.
I was Protestant Chaplain to the Regiment when we went to Cyprus in 93 and Dave’s leadership and example were an inspiration to all of us. A true gentleman and a role model for all of us. May he rest in peace.

I met Dave when he was the CO 2 RCHA in 1992. I was a young officer who was trying to find my way. He provided an example of a calm, cool and collected officer that I tried to emulate-with varying degrees of success. He was also a pragmatic man who engaged in practical endeavors and new his way around tools- other qualities I also thought worthy of emulating. I worked with him in the latter years in his capacity as one of the CALIAN leads here in Kingston. He had remained the calm professional as always.

My condolences to Sally and the family.

Rest well Boss. We shall meet again.

Tony DeJacolyn

Dear Sally, Myra, Monica, Tom, Mark, Sonya, Linda and all your families,

It was with a heavy heart I learned this morning of the untimely passing of David. Although I didn’t know him in the later years I remember Sunday visits after mass at the Chupick house and your proud parents Julie and Mike, who displayed photos of you all on the wall. I think of all you as friends, sisters and brothers whom I looked up to including David. I admire David’s service and dedication to his career and family.

Sally, I am deeply sorry for your loss. You are all in my heart and prayers during this difficult time.

Sending love,

Wendy White

On behalf of the Calian team, who respected and valued Dave for all of his efforts, support, and mentoring to so many over the years, our sincere condolences. Kevin Ford

You were the best Dave. Until we meet again. RIP.

Although I never had a chance to work directly with Dave I knew him by his reputation. That reputation appears to resonate clearly based on all the entries in this page of tributes from so many people I have known for decades and whose opinion/advice/knowledge I and many others respect. By these words alone Dave stands out from the crowd as a valued officer, citizen and family man. Please accept my sincere condolences for his untimely loss to family and friends.

It is with great sadness and a sense of disbelief that I heard the news of Dave’s passing. He was our RCPO in 1RCHA in Germany in the mid-eighties, and ever since it just seemed he had been aroung the Guns forever. He had a calmness and an infectious positive nature about him that seemed to make everybody around him better. He was one of the very best. I cannot imagine how hard this is on the Chupick family. It is to weep…

I’m so sorry to hear of Dave’s sudden passing. It was great to see him at the cousins get together last year. He was always kind, fun and easy to talk to. Love and hugs to Sally, kids, grandkids and the whole Chupick clan. Love you xo

Dear Sally, Holly, Jeff and family,
We are so saddened by the news of this sudden and shocking loss of your beloved husband/dad. We only had the privilege of spending that one evening with your family, but certainly remember him as a kind and friendly soul, who made others feel welcome and comfortable. As you remember him now and in the future, may his warmth and kindness bring you comfort and a smile to your heart. With much love and our deepest condolences. Penny, Carlo and Cory.

Janet and I send condolences to Sally, Holly, Rachel and Jane and the entire Chupick family and friends community. We all are shocked and saddened to have so suddenly lost such a terrific guy. When I first met Dave in uniform, I realized that he was a charismatic character and officer who embodied outstanding leadership qualities. He made us all better and for that we are grateful for having known him. RIP friend.

Sorry to hear of David’s sudden passing. Thoughts and prayers to everyone.

To the Chupick family, my sincere condolences. I served with Dave in Gagetown as an Instructor-in-Gunnery many years ago and remember him as one of the finest people I ever met.

Steve Joudry

Peter Stamps
Devastating news. I knew Dave professionally, as an exchange officer in Petawawa and when he came as a student to the Army Staff College at Camberley, and as a very good friend and neighbour. I do not recall having anything but a good time with Dave. My children, Lydia and Leo, entirely echo that sentiment. Who else would come out at 6:00 am to take 8 year old Leo fishing?! Dave, we will all miss you terribly.

Dear Rachel,
My deepest sympathy to you and your mom and sisters. I know this must be a very difficult time for all of you. Sending all my love and prayers.

Our sincere condolences to you Sally, your kids and the Chupick family. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Andy and Bonnie Laturnus

Dear Sally, Holly, Rachel and family,
Both Micky and I were deeply saddened to hear of Dave’s sudden passing at such a young age. He was a wonderful person who exhumed quiet confidence, a respect of others, and was a loyal friend to those he knew. Micky and I extend our most heartfelt condolences for your loss and hope that the sorrow of his passing will in time be replaced by the cherished memories of the love you shared together.

Respectfully

Ron and Micky Miller

A truly professional soldier with a talent for instructing and mentoring young officers and NCOs. A perfect example of dedicated service to his country.

That Infectious smile is unforgettable to say the least. My condolences go out to all Dave’s family and friends. I knew Dave when he was CO 2RCHA while I was a Dragoon, and later at Calian. The calmest guy I ever met, great sense of humour, and a common sense approach. Dave will be sadly missed by all whom he ever made contact with. Rest Well my friend and find us a place in the higher hide! We won’t be far behind! RESPECT!

I had the opportunity to meet Dave while on Calian contracts. A great sense of wry humour and always a pleasure to chat with. Truly a sad loss. My deepest condolences to you all.

I will miss Dave’s guidance and friendship. My condolences on the loss of a great man.

Graham and I sent our deepest condolences to you, Sally, and all your family. I can’t begin to imagine your sadness as you mourn the loss of your husband, father, grampi and brother. Thinking of you all and hoping that the memories of so many happy times will help you all.
Love,
Pamela

I first met Dave while at the Canadian Army Simulation Centre in 2012 and liked him right from the start. Dave was someone who was easily respected.
Typically a man of few words, when he spoke he was always straight to the point and full of sage advice and wisdom. During the 4 and a half years that we worked together I sought his confidence a few times on some serious issues and he was supportive, compassionate and caring. Always the adult in the room, Dave was a man’s man and someone who could be relied upon without fail, no matter what the situation. As my time in uniform drew to a close during what was to be my last posting, I had grown to greatly admire and appreciate Dave for his strength of character and for his friendship. Please know there are a great many people like me who are sharing in your grinef and mourning the loss of Dave, and who are grateful beyond words for being lucky enough in our lifetime to have known such a great man. Sincerest condolences, Robert W. Hicks, Major (Ret’d).

Our condolences to the family! I served under LCol. Chupick when he was the 2 RCHA Commanding Officer. Well respected Leader who always looked after his Soldiers.
RIP Soldier and Thank you for your service and we also thank Sally for her dedication as a career Military spouse.

Don & Adriana Labossiere

To all my dear Chupicks,

I was so very sorry to hear this devastating news. My heart is with you all. Dave was a legend as evidenced by how wonderful and kind all of you are. Sending you love and strength.

Sally, so sorry for Dave’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to you and your daughters. We have good military memories of you both. Hugs and take care!
Bill & Micheline Gee from Falkland, BC

Dear Sally, Holly, Rachel, Jane and families.
Devastated to hear of David’s passing. We have such great memories from your time on Autumn Hill Cres., at the cottage and visiting you in Kingston. I have thought of you so often and missed you so much, so blessed to have you in my life. Dave was such a warm and amazing man with so many talents, taken way too soon. I am so sorry for your loss, may your memories be a blessing.

Sending tons of love your way and wrapping our hearts around you at this difficult time.
Heather Luloff, Christopher, Patrick and families.

Condolences and sympathies to all the family. He was my last Commanding Officer prior to my retirement from the Regular Army. He was a good CO, a fine officer and a good man overall and respected by all his troops. End of Mission Sir, Stand Easy, Rest, RIP Gunner

Col Dave , I first met you in Petawawa in 1992. A very relaxed CO , who would say gather around , smoke them if you got ‘em . It was a pleasure and honour to have served with you .

Retired MWO Arthur Snodgrass
Waterborough NB

Rest in Peace Dave. We didn’t know each other well, but every time I ran into you, you had a smile on your face and a peaceful way about you that was contagious. You literally took took the stress out of stressful situations, like the last time I saw you, while on my Final Drive Exercise at Foxhole U. I’ll see you again at the big reorg in the sky. My condolences to your family.

On behalf of the entire Regimental family, please accept my most sincere condolences at the tragic passing of LCol Dave Chupick. A highly respected gunner and former CO of 2 RCHA, he was a mentor to me as a member of the Directing Staff at the Army Staff College in Kingston. He was an excellent instructor and a calm, confident example for the many junior officers he taught. Dave managed the transition to post-retirement life well, and became a valued partner in developing Army training events, in particular in support of the Vancouver Olympics. I know I speak for his countless friends in The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery when I say that he will be greatly missed, and many will share fond stories of their service together with the guns, in defence of our country. Ubique.

Dear Sally, Holly, Rachel and Jane,

Mia and I are shocked and deeply saddened at the passing of your wonderful husband and father, Dave. It hurts our hearts. What a wonderful soldier and leader, but more importantly the wonderful person he was. Dave had in spades the three qualities I hold the highest – loyalty, respect of others, and high moral standards. Under my direct command twice and as a friend for over 45 years (Lt Chupick in 1st Airborne Battery, and then “E” Battery (Para), and then CO 2 RCHA, but also the Kingston Command and Staff course, and three times as Training Advisor for 2RCHA), I have always held Dave in the highest regard. When I speak of loyalty and respect, with Dave it went both ways – he earned my loyalty and respect, and reciprocated – and he was tremendously loyal and respectful to the officers and soldiers that worked with and for him. When it came to moral conduct and behaviour, Dave only had one standard, the highest. He was modest, yes, but firm and called things the way they were. He knew right from wrong and good from bad, meeting the standard or not, and would tell you so (including me). He was professional to the core. When Dave was Commanding Officer 2RCHA I had, with good reason, the absolute and utmost confidence in him and in every decision he made, and it gave me great pride and pleasure to see how well he commanded the Regiment I had commanded exactly ten years earlier. And, we had a lot of fun together – Dave was always a pleasure to be with. Ever calm, and ever with a smile on his face.

My heart goes out to you Sally and the girls. All I can say is that they you could not have had a better husband and father, and he could not have had a more caring and wonderful family. Such a sad loss for you, and far too early.

We Gunners have lost a great friend and Canada has lost a wonderful soldier and leader. I feel fortunate to have served with such a professional officer and wonderful human being, Dave Chupick. We are sad, and
we will all mourn this wonderful man, but we will always smile when we think of Dave.

Good Shooting, Dave!
Rest in peace.

Airborne! Ubique!

Ernie Beno, BGen Retired, and Mia

RIP Dave. You were a great leader, mentor and friend. I’m heartbroken for the Chupick family’s loss.

It was a pleasure to have served with Dave Chupick in Germany, when he was the Regimental Command Post (and Regimental Training) Officer in 1st Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

But, to me, it was a gift and privilege to have served as Dave’s ‘BK’ (or ‘Battery Captain’ / second-in-command) in E Battery (Para) in the 2nd Regiment. Dave was a great leader, and too me… a great role model, and mentor. What is the essence of leadership? Trust. Through Dave’s character and actions, I and everyone I knew, we all granted Dave our trust – he earned it. If there was a soldier, NCO, or officer that did not trust Dave’s leadership… I never met them. Dave lived his life as a leader, and as a role model, for so many who followed and learned from him.

Sir, thank you for sharing your life, your leadership, your example, and your friendship. You lived your life as a servant-leader, and the impact you had on others will live on, in all of those who had the honour to have known and learned from your example. I loved serving for and with you Dave. But I know I am just one of the so so many that admired you, trusted you… and we all would of followed you anywhere.

Sally, and Rachel, and Holly, and Jane: Our prayers are with you at this time. And thank you for graciously sharing your husband, and your father, with all who knew him.

Dear Sally and all members of the Chupick family. Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Dave. I spent 2 of the best years of my career serving as Dave’s RSM when he was CO 2RCHA. He was highly respected by all members of the regiment. Our tour of Cyprus and the closing down of the Canadian contingent was mainly due to the leadership provided by Dave.
He will be sorely missed by all who knew and served with him. I had the greatest respect for him and it was an honour to call him my friend.
May he rest in Peace,
Ubique,
Tom Tomaso

I ran across Dave a few times in the Army but really got to know him when he was at the Army Simulation Centre in Kingston. One of the highlights of my post-Army career was to work for him on the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. He was a great trainer, a great leader, and a great friend. Bonnie and I offer our sincere condolences to our dear friend Sally and to Dave’s extended family.

Dave snd I had some great times together working in exercises all over Canada from coast to coast and in our north. We tried to finish a great deal of our days with a single malt.
He was more than a colleague, Dave was a true buddy. The cottage bunk house will forever be a testament to his talent and willingness to share that talent.
I remember a night in Ottawa having dinner with a large chunk of his family. At the end there were hugs in the street to say farewell. I was included. On our walk back to the hotel Dave said with his famous smile “the last two that you hugged were not from my family”!
I will always remember my Gunner Buddy!

I am very saddened to hear of the loss of Dave. In the early years of my career, he supported myself on a couple of contracts with Calian and was an excellent mentor through the entire process. I did not appreciate at the time just how much he was teaching me by handing responsibility for leading client calls, manage project activities and be the face of the work. Following the completion of this work, he sent my supervisor an email that changed the trajectory of my career. He was a selfless individual who had my upmost respect.

In your time of loss, please know how far his reach extended and how instrumental he was as a mentor in my career. Thank you.

We’re so sorry to hear of David’s sudden passing and offer our deepest sympathy for your loss – gone much too soon cousin.

Dave was a trusted and compassionate military leader. He set an excellent example for so many under his command. While he will be missed by all, we share many great memories by which to remember him for the wonderful man that he was!

Dave you will be sadly missed. You were a great boss and leader for the gang in A31. RIP.