It is with great sorrow that the family announces the passing of David Sawatzky on March 3, 2009. After a well fought battle with cancer, our deeply loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather peacefully slipped away to be with his Lord and Savor, with his family by his side.
Dave was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on March 20, 1931 where he grew up in a family of four brothers and two sisters. On July 15, 1954 he married Norma Jean Wiebe, and together raised a family of two boys and two girls. In 1958 the family moved to Calgary, Alberta where Dave was employed in the construction industry. In 1967 the family moved to the Peace River area to start a family farm. In the thirty years that followed Dave worked at numerous other jobs to sustain the family but most of his employment was as a professional driver (school bus and hot shot).
In retirement Dave and Norma moved to Salmon Arm to be closer to family. Dave continued with his interest in golf and camping, always enjoying an opportunity to travel or see something new. Music was a passion Dave nurtured in all his children and in retirement he would spend hours playing his Omni chord and singing. Dave loved his Lord and was involved in many aspects of the church including the soup kitchen, the thrift store, Gideon work and the food bank. He loved to socialize over a cup of coffee with friends, family or whoever was ready for a coffee. Dave’s ability to “kid around” and to humor are but two of his unforgettable qualities.
Dad will be greatly missed and affectionately remembered by his wife Norma, children, Bob (Brenda), Sharon (Ray), Marilyn (John), Darren (Tanya), ten grandchildren, Jodie, Joel, Chad, Kurt, Kevin, Keith, Katie, Dylan, Tyra, Tatum, and six great-grandchildren, Ian, Emily, Amy, Wesley, Ashlyn, and Dakota.
The family would like to express sincere thanks to Dr’s. Keith and Laura Hepburn and the nurses in Palliative Care at the Shuswap Lake General Hospital for their loving care and dedication. Dave always referred to you as his “special angels.” Thank you.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Gideons of Canada, 501 Imperial Rd. N., Guelph, ON, N1H 7A2.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on March 14, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Crossroads Methodist Church in Salmon Arm.
Arrangements entrusted to FISCHER’S FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORIUM LTD., Salmon Arm, (250) 833-1129, E-mail condolences to fischers@sunwave.net.