September 21, 1952 – June 12, 2015
It is with deep sadness that Dave’s family announces his passing at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia.
Dave grew up in Victoria and started his journalism career as the editor of the University of Victoria’s student newspaper. He was hired by The Province newspaper to cover the BC Legislature where he met and married Jackie Melville.
Southam News came calling and Dave spent many years working for the prestigious news service, first in Toronto and then in Ottawa on Parliament Hill. Dave set up Southam’s Latin America Bureau and spent four years covering unrest in Central and South America. He was always able to get to the heart of a story and to write about almost anything with clarity, insight and wit. He was a talented, caring and passionate journalist, qualities he took with him when he later became the editor of the UNDP Choices Magazine in New York City and then editor of Power Week Canada.
Dave’s love for the written word never faded; he always had a newspaper or book in hand. His kids liked to joke that they never had to go to the library for a school project. Just tell dad what it was all about and he would emerge from his library with everything they needed on the subject. An avid football fan, Dave loved nothing better than a long ride on his bike or a walk by the ocean.
Dave’s adventurous, witty, and kind spirit will be lovingly remembered by Jackie and their children: Matt, Katie (Dan) and Elizabeth; his sister Dale (Bill) and nephew Nathan and the Fike and Melville families. Dave is predeceased by his parents Dorothy and Alfred Todd. The family would like to thank special friends Jeanne Lesoway and Doug Rushton and the staff at Beacon Hill Villa.
A memorial for Dave will be held at a later date. If you would like to make a donation in his memory, please consider Pacifica Housing in Victoria. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die. – Thomas Campbell
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Maureen Corbett Hanright
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Michael Finlay Dear Jackie,
I’m so saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. While never working for the same employer, we were always colleagues, in Victoria, Vancouver and Toronto. I’ve always regretted not taking him up on his invitation (and yours) to visit in Costa Rica, though I have fond memories of seeing you two in Ottawa in the early eighties. And of our times in Toronto when, during Southam’s more prosperous and humane days, Dave would insist on expensing lunch for the two of us because he needed to show Southam he was cultivating contacts.
Dave was a fine journalist and a fine man. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Michael
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Rod Mickleburgh Jackie and the children!
This is terrible news….even tho I’d lost touch with Dave over the years (what a business!), I have many fond memories of him, and his unerring instinct for a good story that required extensive digging. He would so often pursue a story that no one else would touch, because it was difficult and required a lot of work. Those kind of stories were Dave’s meat and potatoes. I first knew Dave when he was writing for Peter McNelly’s fine alternative weekly, BC Today. And then of course at the Province, and then disappearing into foreign territories for Southam.
Dave even lived with myself and some other friends for a while in Vancouver. Our house offered him a tiny little cubby hole off the kitchen, and he took it! He was a lovely guy, with a delightful, whimsical sense of humour.My sincere condolences to you all.
Rod Mickleburgh
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Christine and Gordon Karlsen Jackie, Matthew, Kate and Elizabeth
We were very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. We have fond memories of him from our years together on Bevan Ave., remembering his intellegence, and especially his wit. Sincere condolences from the Karlsen family.
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Anne Meloche Hi Kate,
I’m so sorry to hear about your father. Loosing a parent is very difficult but in time the memories you shared with him will bring you joy. In the meantime, keep your family and friends close by. Call/see me anytime you need to talk. Hugs.
Anne
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Tim de Lange Boom Hi, Jackie, Kate, Matthew and Elizabeth and Dale
I just heard about Dave’s death today and am at a loss for words at the moment. Please accept my condolences. Dave was a terrific friend and colleague for years and he really should still be among us. He is missed.
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Aileen McCabe Dave brought all the requisite journalistic skills with him when he joined Southam News, but it was his curiousity that set him apart. He loved digging, finding facts & truths & lies. He did it with a skill & tenacity that was at times truly awesome.
He died way too young.
My condolences Jackie. Thinking of Dave, you & your family.
Aileen
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Nick van Veen Kate,
I’d like to send my best wishes to you and your family in these difficult times.
There’s nothing I can say or write that will alleviate the loss, but if you ever need to talk, know that we’re all here for you at a moment’s notice.
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Lyne Gillespie Thinking of you and your family Kate. Many prayers going your way.
Lyne
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Brenda Chapman and Ted Weagle Jackie, Kate, Matthew and Elizabeth – We are so very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing and send our deepest sympathies at this sad time.
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Dana Dear sweet Kate,
I am so deeply sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. What very sad news this is. I wish you all the love and support. If there is anything I can do, please reach out.
With love & light to you and your family. xo
Sorry for this late note of condolence, Jackie. I was so saddened to hear of David’s passing…all too soon. I enjoyed his visits to my home in Qualicum Beach, once with one of your lovely kids. I lost touch with him when he changed his email address, so this news came as a complete shock.
I am holding you and your family in my heart.
Maureen