March 18, 1933 – September 18, 2024
David (Dave) died peacefully on September 18 at Victoria General Hospital in Winnipeg, at the age of 91.
Born in Brandon, Manitoba in 1933, to Clarkson and Ada Smith, Dave was the youngest brother to Muriel, Doug, and Gord. David was predeceased by his parents, sister Muriel and brother-in-law Don, and their sons Bruce and Malcolm, Brother Doug and sister-in-law Helen, and their daughters Lorraine and Sharon, brother Gord, and 9 years ago by his beloved wife Gwen. Dave is survived by his children Janet (Peter), Neil (Karen), and Carolyn, and his precious granddaughters Avery and Taylor.
Dave attended Flemming Elementary in Brandon, following which the family moved to Winnipeg where he attended Isaac Brock Junior High, Gordon Bell High and Kelvin High, graduating in 1951-52. Dave didn’t thrive in his educational career until his university years. After a semester in Engineering, he switched to Agriculture where he completed both his bachelor’s degree and then his Masters degree in 1959. Dave then worked as an Entomologist for the Province of Manitoba from 1959 until he retired in 1989.
It was in his early years that, through family, Dave developed his love of the outdoors, hunting and a keen interest in history – of the world, our families, and local Manitoba history. He loved Manitoba and the big prairie sky, and no matter where he travelled he always looked forward to coming home.
As a teenager, Dave discovered his love and talent for the sport of basketball, contributing to several championship teams including the 1951-52 Gordon Bell City High School Champions, the Winnipeg Stellars, and then 5 years with the University of Manitoba Bisons where he was an All-Star twice, the Pat Gorman Most Valuable Player and when the Bisons won three consecutive WCIAU titles from 1954-55 through 1956-57. Dave was inducted into the Manitoba Basketball Hall of fame both as a team member, and an individual player.
Ultimately though, it was when he met Gwen (Audrey Gwendolyn Horn) who was working as secretary for the Dean of the Agricultural diploma program at the U of M in 1957, that Dave found his life purpose: husband, father, and then joyfully, grandfather. Marrying in 1959, Dave and Gwen built a life and a family together over their 56-year marriage. Together, they believed in and stood for honesty, humility, hard work, the importance of family and community, and doing the right thing.
Donations in memory of Dave can be made to Cancer Care Manitoba (in recognition of the incredible care they gave Gwen), or a cause close to your heart.
Pictures will be added to Dave’s memorial page soon.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Dave’s memorial page using the comment field below.
My Uncle Dave was a wonderful guy and a lot of fun to be around. He had some great stories of his older siblings as we shared the position of being the youngest of the kids in our families. Lucky to have had him be part of my life, and he will be missed.
So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. We so enjoyed visit with Dave and Gwen when we would see them in Arizona. He reminded me so much of my Father in Law Doug. He had the same sincere and caring attitude. We will miss Dave.
Allan Hay
I was so sad to hear of Uncle Dave’s passing. I have so many memories of him through the years and Dave and Gwen’s wedding was the first wedding I went to. Dave’s sense of humour and mannerisms reminded me so much of my Dad. He was a fine man and he will be sorely missed.
Kaen Hay