It is with deep sorrow we announce the passing of Dave Rogers, after a two-year fight with cancer. He was born in Vancouver, BC on December 11, 1950. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Muriel Rogers, and his youngest daughter, Carmen Rogers Jones. Dave is survived by his “young bride”, Rebecca Rogers; sister, M. Diane Rogers; daughter, Ashley Rogers; his former wife, Trisha Coleman; step-son, Michael Alto (Sarah); as well as grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Dave wore many hats, both personally and professionally. He was a Firefighter and Fire Chief in Whistler. He then earned his MBA from Simon Fraser University. He married Trisha Coleman in 1981, and they had 2 daughters. After moving to Vancouver Island, he worked for various air freight companies, as well as for Stats Canada and CMHC. He loved old cars and raced with the OTRA, driving #46 for All Routes Express.
Dave and Becky met in 1999 and married on December 31, 2000. He belonged to many car and motorcycle clubs, including the Red Knights Int’l Firefighters MC, as a charter member and President of BC Chapter 3. Dave and Becky rode his Harley Trike to MN this past summer for a Red Knights rally, even though he was so ill. When asked how he was doing, he always replied “110%!”
Perhaps his proudest achievement was founding BCHAZMAT Management Ltd. His contribution to the safety of people in all walks of life was immeasurable. His passion for teaching made the driest subject matter interesting with his stories and jokes. Dave instructed 3 of UVIC’s courses in the Safety Management Diploma Program, taught Novice Motorcycle Riding for VISC, and ran the Tom Thumb Safety Program for youth. He was instrumental in bringing the 1st Safety Conference to the South Island in 2018.
We will be Celebrating Dave’s Life on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney, from 1:30 to 4 pm.
In lieu of donations, please buy flowers for someone you love, and give them a hug from Dave.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
14 Responses
Becky and Family,
On behalf of Steve, myself and the Pacific Performance Pontiac Car club we offer our sincerest condolences. Dave was a great friend and a wonderful member for many years as well as a very welcomed sponsor (BC Hazmat)
Our love for our Parisiennes (our twin 65’s) was what connected Dave, Steve and I and how our friendship blossomed.
He will be missed.
Love and Light Dave!
xo
Dave was a wonderful man and contributed so much to the community. I got to know him my last few years at CMHC and his sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Becky and family. Dave was a true gentleman and he was my colleague at VISC and friend. He will be missed by many.
Dave will be greatly missed, he was a great safety instructor and a fellow motorcyclist. My deepest condolences to the family.
So sorry to hear this Becky. My condolences to you and your family.
My condolences to Becky and family. Also to all Dave’s friends. I regret I never had to opportunity to met him in person. From what I have read I believe he contributed a lot to his communities and those in them. We need more persons like him in our world.
He will be missed in so many ways! Be strong Becky…
Dave was a great friend and will be missed. We never did get lunch at the Spite Fire Grill. Dave you have left a void in my life. You will be missed. Condolences to all those that made up Dave’s wonderful life. God Bless.
So sorry for your loss. My regret is that we met early in life and then again too many years later.
I met Dave through his role as instructor at UVic’s Certificate in Environmental Health & Safety program. He was a great teacher as he knew how to draw out ideas and support students from his depth and breadth of knowledge. After taking 2 of the courses he taught with Dave, I waited 2 years to take my last course just to have Dave as the instructor. But that is only one facet of Dave…
We also connected on Facebook and that’s where his love of family, safety, volunteering and sense of humour really showed. He was a big man with a big heart.
Fellow UVic students may know about his honorific: “The Ogre”, used on FB, etc. We knew it meant the good kind of Ogre….but when someone referred to Dave as “The Ogre” in a communication inside a UVic course, Dave had to explain that it was nothing for the university to worry about as it was actually a term of endearment.
The Ogre has left the building and it will be the smaller for it.