After a lengthy battle with cancer, David left this world on his own terms. He was surrounded in love by his wife Wendy, sons Dimitre and Alexis, cousin Andrew, and long-time friend Anne. David did not leave this world with no effect.
Letters of condolence and memories have continued to come in since his death. From his stepson Warren "Please thank him for taking such great care of you and I," our niece Kelsey, ever the object of her uncle's amusement, Well, "Mr. Terse...though you were a giant in my little girl eyes, you were truly one of the softest and kindest souls. Thank you for being such a positive male role model for me growing up and such an example of what true love actually looks like. Thank you for constantly making fun of me, for being slightly over dramatic. I will never forget the way that you'd always greet me when I got to your place, crazy arms, and a squeaky voice and just the biggest bear hugs. I'll never forget your daisy dukes, tanning oil, amazing moustache and shiny bald head." He was a unique soul as attested to by his friend of 30 years, Bill. "David astonished me, because our minds worked so differently - sometimes I was in awe of him, and other times I wondered why we were ever friends...?"
We were friends because David could separate Dogma from Friendship... he never forgot where he could squeeze a shot off - but it was never in malice! It was NEVER about one-upmanship - it was about the dialectic between differing politics. No, he wasn't St. David - he had a few bends in him that I wouldn't have been able to cope with in a different persona - but...he was my friend...warts and all - because I was HIS friend - warts and all...he never, ever, ever refused to give me a huge hug."
Living in St. Albert before coming to Vancouver Island, Anne reminded me that David was known around town as "Tractor Dave," the goofy bald guy that drove around town on his shiny red tractor! He was admired for his ingenuity, could fix anything, and could imagine building things that none of us could even fathom. One of his greatest inventions was a 'dimpled nip roller!' Hard to say with a straight face, right?
As a family I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the girls in Cancer Care, especially Tammy, who made time on David's last day to be with him. To Drs. Proctor, Daws, and Stegeman, thank you for your understanding and support through a very difficult time. You made his passing peaceful and that will always be appreciated.
To the warm and loving staff at the Campbell River Hospital...thank you does not seem to be enough.
If you wish to honor David's memory please feel free to donate to the Campbell River Hospital Foundation, Dying with Dignity, or the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Vancouver General Hospital.
Due to significant family losses so early in 2019, a Celebration of Life will be planned for this summer on Vancouver Island. Watch this newspaper for an upcoming notice.