Our Dad and loving husband,
David passed away peacefully on March 27, 2009 at home in Parksville, BC after a long battle with cancer.
David was born on December 7, 1933 in Batley, Yorkshire, England. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Eva, and his brother, Peter.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Paddy, their children, Steve (Maryann), Jim (Jackie) and Sarah (Kelli) and his six grandchildren, Stephanie, Michael, Andrew, Mackenzie, Ingrid and Kai. David attended Batley Grammar School before completing his medical degrees at Leeds and London Universities. After serving as an Emergency Room physician in Huddersfield, he became a partner in a practice in Batley.
In 1971, David moved with his family to Canada, taking up practice for 18 years in Salmo and Nelson, where he was Chief of Staff for a time at Nelson hospital. During that time, he was active in the community, including many years as a member of the Salmo Lions Club. Dad also found time to coach the Salmo juvenile boys soccer team to become the West Kootenay champions. In 1989, David and Paddy moved to Parksville, where David continued as a general practitioner as part of the Parksville Medical Clinic. Towards the end of his long career, David served as Chief of Staff at the Trillium and Arrowsmith Lodges.
David was a well-respected, caring, supportive doctor and friend to many. One could not go down the street with him without someone saying hello to ‘Doctor Dave.’ He would still make house calls and was available at all hours of the day and night. His family recalls the times, in Salmo especially, when he would be called out to medical emergencies – even delivering babies on Christmas day! Dad is remembered as a kind, compassionate, warm, and fun-loving person, always ready with a joke, (he had a never-ending store of parrot jokes!). He touched the lives of so many people. He had a special place in his heart for dogs, and they always
loved him! He will be greatly missed by the family.
A Memorial Service in celebration of David’s life will be held at Yates Funeral Home at
1000 Allsbrook Road in Parksville
on Saturday April 4, 2009 at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a donation to the charity of your choice.