Dave passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on December 29, 2021. He was born in Victoria, BC on December 9, 1954. Predeceased by his parents Virginia and George Winter and sister Nicki Winter. Left to cherish Dave’s memory are his wife Diane; son Tyler; brother Arthur (Louise); sister Shelley (Rod); brother-in-law Patrick; sister-in-law Carole; brother-in-law Terry (Terri); aunt Frances Camiade, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Dave had a vibrant essence and presence. If you knew Dave you would immediately think of his inherent fun-loving and generous nature; and when in his company, he was always interested in “you”.
Dave grew up in Cadboro Bay, attended Frank Hobbs Elementary and Mount Douglas High School. He liked the social side of school and through those years made many lifelong friends.
Growing up, Dave treasured his family, with Mom, Dad and three siblings they had a great life together: boating, skiing, the grandparent’s cottage on Langford Lake, Sunday dinners and parties for all special occasions. The Winter family had two pleasure craft, the “Jericho” and the “Lodestar”; Dave adored the boating days, often retelling of the many adventures. In later years Dave loved the family “cabin” at Mesachie Lake.
Dave’s career was in construction, starting out in his teens in the family business, A. H. Winter and Son Construction. Overall, Dave worked nearly fifty years with the company. Dave and Art took over as owner operators in the early 1990’s. Dave loved his work; no one was more dedicated, hardworking, honest and generous than Dave. This was his way, personally and professionally.
Dave truly enjoyed his life and was consistently the most social person. He was always so happy when getting together with “everyone” anywhere and everywhere, presenting fun games, fishing competitions, horse races, tiki bars, loads of barbeques, dinners, and many lake tours on the “Mesachie Queen”.
Dave loved his home with Diane. Here is where Dave was a real homebody, very happy and content working on his many hobbies, projects, his beautiful garden, (and no surprise) hosting parties and dinners. And always planning the next adventures with Diane.
Dave was happy Tyler lived close by so they could go exploring around the area, fish the many lakes and especially enjoy Mesachie Lake.
Dave generated a lot of love in his life and he freely shared it with all of us; he will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Dave’s life will be held in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2:00pm. To assist with planning, please RSVP with the number in your party to: davesmemorial23@gmail.com.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
19 Responses
So Sorry to hear this. Dave was one of the kindest, most generous persons I have ever known. So funny and fun to be with. I was really looking forward to seeing him and Diane in Costco again! Rest In Peace Dave.
Hi Diane and Tyler.
It’s Brittany Unwin. I heard about Dave’s passing and I just wanted to offer my heartfelt condolences.
It’s been many years since I saw Dave but what I remember is his big energy and sense of fun.
I spent time with Tyler out on the Lodestar and Mesatchie Queen at Dave’s cabin.
Christmas’s and birthdays with the family.
Lot’s of good memories there.
I ran into you at the grocery store a few years back now Diane, so it was nice to see you again after so long.
I hope your heart is healing. Sending my love.
Take care you guys,
Britt
Hugs to Diane and Tyler as well as to the rest of the Winter Family, and Dave’s friends, there are many. Too many memories to share. The one thing that I loved about his character was that he’d never ask you to do something he wouldn’t do. I really enjoyed working with him the days flew by as we both just wanted to get things done. Love David to the moon and back or maybe I should say to the end of the Island and back, many a trip.
These last few years I like many others have lost family and friends. Love ❤️ and grief go hand and hand ain’t that right Jon Boy. Days get very tough from time to time, yet our journeys continue. I will leave you with something that came to me in the grief it helps me cope.
Breathe and enjoy every moment of this new Day! Some will never have that opportunity again. Find the joy like rays from the sun breaking through the dark clouds. Know that you are loved! Focus on what you have that’s the light of Love that will always shine through in our Lives
See you on the other side my friend❤️
Your friend Michael JC Anderson
Condolences to Diane and the Winter family.
Mike and Jon Siska
Sunshine Passes
Shadows fall
Life’s memories
Outlasts all.
Don Rawson
I have had the pleasure of working with Art since 1992 and Dave since 2016 when I was hired by Lakewood estates in the Westshore. First thing I noticed about Dave was that he was always smiling, second was that he was a very hard worker with good ethics and very personable. I enjoyed my time getting to know him and watching his antics and hearing his jokes. I know he will be missed by his family and friends.
One of many moments in life, that were and still are precious. I met Dave and many of his friends thru my father. Something that I hold of value is the Dave and Diane Winters Parties at Mesachie Lake during the summer months, for myself it was the highlight of most summers! The one thing that I am grateful for Dave Showing me is: Keeping close by your family, friends & colleagues, Compassion & Love , and last but not least just live & enjoy life. Dave I can’t thank you enough for the positive impact you made on not only my life, but my family and all the others friends and families as well. Diane my thoughts are with you, I wish you nothing but strength, courage, and love.
Diane, Tyler & the Entire Winter Family & Relatives.
I met Dave with his Dad, George in the late 70’s in Port McNeil. I was there working on a project for paving the new road at Bear Cove for the ferry. We were rained out & I went to town to look around & there was George working in the ditch with Dave getting soaked. I knew George, but that’s when I met Dave.
Just like his father, he was happy doing what they did, rain or shine.
Dave, like George were always smiling no matter what the elements were. We reconnected much later on occasion & Dave still had the smile with a positive attitude. A true “gentleman” like his father.
Garry & Lynn Rai
Dave Winter: A Guy Like No Other
Dave was one of the most fun loving guys I have ever met. I was introduced to Dave and Dian through our mutual friend, Deb Rhymer, over twenty years ago. It was probably one of Deb’s notoriously good parties in the shadow of Craigdaroch Castle, where music, singing and dancing kept us hopping to the wee hours of the morning.
Our friendship evolved over many fabulous dinner parties, golf tournaments and his support for my artistic efforts. Dave always came to my art openings, dressed in a great hat, black coat looking like he had just stepped out of some trendy magazine. His questions about art were always intriguing and his constant curiosity kept our conversations alive and relevant.
I marveled at Dave’s creativity. From his cleverly engineered and multiple choice games to the race horses he built at Mestachie Lake. Of course, the gem for me was always the Tiki Bar, throwing hoops and Left- Right. At our get togethers he always had a new game up his sleeve, ready to bring on the fun and endless laughter. Memories I will never forget.
Dave was a gourmet chef. Dinner parties were haute cuisine and accomplished with great flare. Barbecues at Mestachie Lake were the best with the joy of sitting around his fire pit, singing and his friends playing guitar. I was never bored around Dave. In fact many times I found it hard to keep up with his boundless energy. Key memories were looking for giant elk late at night, hiking through the old growth in the forest and trips on the Metschie Queen, a floating paradise equipped with chairs, parasols and wonderful cocktails. We would cruise the lake looking for features he had remembered from childhood and his stories were rich and steeped in the history of logging in the area.
Dave had a huge circle of friends and I feel privileged to have met and socialized with many of them over the years and hope we still can. It just seems so unfair that he was taken from us so early. He was an exemplary, classical man in all the best ways — smart, hard working, fun loving, generous, friendly and intelligent. Getting together with Dave and Dian was a guarantee for a great evening or afternoon. I will miss him more than I can say in words. The loss is so profound.
Jane Coombe, February 2022
Diane and family,
Ken and I are very sorry for your loss. Although we didn’t know Dave well, we were always delighted to see you both and have a great conversation. Dave was always so welcoming and upbeat and definitely the life of the party.
Ken MacKenzie and Maureen Goyeche