Passed away peacefully on November 16, 2025, in Kelowna, BC, at the age of 83.
Dave is survived by his wife of 60 years, Linda; his granddaughter, Crystal Smallshaw; and his great-grandchildren, Nala and Jade, all of whom brought him tremendous joy. He was predeceased by his parents, Emma and Fred; brother Gary; son David; and parents-in-law Carl and Frieda Madsen.
Born in 1942 in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Dave grew up in the Okanagan and graduated from high school in Kelowna. He worked for BA Oil before he joined the RCAF in Lac St Denis, Quebec and before beginning a long and steady career with BC Tel, where his dependable nature served him well.
Dave was an avid reader of history, especially fond of authors Clive Cussler and Wilbur Smith. He found happiness outdoors; snowmobiling in the winter and enjoying time on his boat on Okanagan Lake the rest of the year. Over the course of their marriage, Dave and Linda opened their home and hearts to five rescue-dogs, each one leaving its own mark on their lives. Dave enjoyed the time he spent walking each dog on the Greenway.
He loved to drive, loved the rhythm of country music, and held a special fondness for Riverdance. Above all, Dave was steady, caring, and deeply devoted to the family he adored. In July 2024, he went to live at Spring Valley Care Centre due to his dementia. The staff there treated him with love and respect. Linda visited almost daily. Every night when she left, he would say, “I love you, and I miss you already”.
Linda leaves him with his own words: “I love you, and I miss you already”.
