David Eric John Seager

With profound sadness we announce the passing of David Eric John Seager, age 96, at Camp Hill Veterans Hospital on August 15, 2020, the 75th anniversary of Victory in Japan Day. He is survived by his wife Hélène and daughters Suzanne and Valerie, and an extended family of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and cousins in the U.K, Australia and Canada. David was born on July 31, 1924 in Southampton, England to the late Fred Seager and Sara Kate Hotson, the 6th of 7 children. He was an infantry soldier with the British Army Royal Corps of Signals from 1943 to 1947. He spent his war years in Burma, Singapore and Thailand, took part in the Burma Campaign and fought in the Battle of Kohima. He emigrated to Canada in 1948 where he worked in business until his retirement in 1985. He met Hélène, the love of his life, in Montreal, where they were married on February 4, 1950, celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. David was a loving father, always encouraging and supporting his daughters and proud of their careers. He and Hélène moved to Halifax in 2002, and for many years he volunteered his considerable carpentry skills to work on props for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo and sets for the Theatre Arts Guild. David lived a happy life, was well-loved, and will be missed by many. He was a member of the Burma Star Association and was very active with the Memory Project, a federal initiative which provides the opportunity for veterans and active serving members of the armed forces to share their military experiences. David spoke frequently at schools and other institutions throughout the province about his experiences during World War II, both in active service and as a teenager in Southampton during the air raids. It was important to him to remind his audience of the grim realities of war, and to embody the words inscribed on the Kohima monument:

WHEN YOU GO HOME

TELL THEM OF US AND SAY

FOR YOUR TOMORROW

WE GAVE OUR TODAY

A private service will be held and there will be no visitation. If desired, donations can be made to The Memory Project (www.historicacanada.ca). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jasnowfuneralhome.com