Dave, you were so much more than just my counsellor.  Our 14 year relationship was a great friendship.  You always made me feel like we were buddies and it wasn't all business.  Thanks for letting my cry in your office when I was having such a hard time adjusting to life in a wheelchair.  Having beers at your place and going to a Canucks game with you were just a couple of the highlights (sorry for getting you sloshed!).   I will really miss you.

I wish to pass on my most solemn and sincere condolences to the Metcalf family. 
I had known Dave as a childhood friend when we all lived on east 1st Street. One of my most fond memories of him was when one night all us boys camped out in Marquis backyard. We all got up around midnight to terrorize the neighbourhood. I pretended to sleep, and Dave and the others tried to wake me with every conceivable method. It is funny what you remember after all those years, but that is what came to my mind. 
Sincerely, Percy Taker.

Sadly in life some friends and families grow apart as they get older which was the case with the Starchuks & Metcalfs. My brother Tom was closer to Dave but I do still have fond memories of our childhood. I remember he had a wicked sense of humour and he drove his 1st van like he owned the road and everyone better get out of the way. 

I always try to remember the good but we should never forget the bad as it's the bad that makes good things that much more enjoyable. Having said that, I remember the day of Dave's accident when Linda came to my house to inform us. I'll never forget how upset she was but again I prefer to think of the good memories and for that Linda I will always remember you as the 1st girl I ever kissed!! 

Keep on smiling, it gets easier.

Was going to go to the memorial but way too many people for me to cope with, and that means so many thought well of David. Last time I saw David was at Ambleside beach near the end of summer last year while I was walking my dog. 
David said he was trying to get healthy -- being out in the sunshine. First time I met David was at LGH when I was in with numerous problems and he became my roomy for a couple of weeks. He had pneumonia. One of his many bouts with that. 
He was the best roomy in hospital I ever had even though at times during my stories he was laughing so hard it hurt and had to ask me to stop. I would give him five minutes. He had his stories as well and in all the arrangement was pretty good. I saw him about 5 times since then and once during another of his stays in the hospital last year. 
He was a nice guy and I will miss him.

Oh David, I have thought about you and your smile and humor many times over the years. Coming back to North Van this week, I was not expecting to see such sad news in the paper. 
David and I also went to school together, lost touch, and ran into each other a few times when my brother was in hospital and later also at the BC Lions games. Every time I saw him, he still had that smile that made you smile right back from the inside out. My condolences to the family on the passing of David. Another special star is shining bright.

Through all the times we shared with eachother, from vacation to vacation. All the advice you gave me when attempting to drive your wheelchair because... well you just didn't feel like it! to all the times i remember your smile when the sun was rising & we we're already up drinking coffee together, the playlist of music runs thru my mind of all the concerts to songs that we shared! I will miss your face & quiet times!

Dave was the first person I met when I worked at GF Strong. He came into my office on my first day of work, and introduced himself. We've been friends ever since. Since then, we met every few months for lunch, at the White Spot. Our lunches were always a lot of fun. 

Dave was an inspirational person. I am going to miss him. RIP Dave.

My deepest condolences to Dave's family.

 I'll always remember Dave with a smile on his face and such a great energy about him. He always took the time for a nice chat every time I'd bump into him at GF Strong. He's helped so many with his wisdom and he'll be greatly missed. Peace to his family and friends.

Dear Randy and the entire Metcalf Family:

Upon hearing the news of David's passing many thoughts of my personal encounters with him over the years began to flow through my mind.  With tear in eye and pen in hand my condolences go out to all David's family and friends.
Through elementary and high school David and I didn't always see eye to eye.  I guess being young and trying to navigate the roads of life you don't always get the opportunity of really getting to know a lot of people for who they really are.  It wasn't until we were young adults that our paths crossed again at a BC Lions game, from then on we had many encounters.
Randy I consider myself to be very fortunate to have the chance to get to know your mother and father as well as reconnect with David and yourself.  Every time I saw David or talked with him he was always upbeat and positive and had nothing but good things to say, or we would laugh about something.  I truly admire the decent and kind man he had become even in the face of adversity.
Although "rest in peace" would be the appropriate thing to say to David; I would rather say run with the wind in your face and walk tall through the gardens of eternal life with your family and friends that have gone before.
I will truly miss our conversations and encounters.  One day we will walk or run together again, until then Vaya Con Dias David.
Thank you for being a friend.
Joe Gardner

To Davids family

I went to school with David grade 1 to 6 we both grew up in lower north van.I remember him well and visited him in loins gate after his mishap havent seen him in years but memorys are fond.Rest in peace David.I still have a photo of David myself and our old friend Mike Johnson who passed young. in my backyard in north van when we were 10 years old.My deepest condolences to Davids family at this most difficult time.

Sincerly Doug Roberts langley

Although it has been years since I worked with Dave, I've never forgotten his positive attitude and commitment to helping others. He made a difference in other's lives. My thoughts are with his family.

I love and miss you my brother, forever in my heart, you will be so missed.  I love you so much, your sister Linda XOXO

I know that death is a horrable thing in life no matter what i will miss him so much and that we will always remember him.He was my favourite uncel and i hope he is free and  runing around in a better place.This is hard on all of us but we have to be strong David would not want us to be sad he would want us to be happy, we have to pull thru this moment in life, and live on with him in our hearts .
We have to think of the fond memories and good times with him and if he can hear me I want him to alway remember that we will love him forever and allways we love you so so much and I hope you know that you are in a better place.
we will miss u !!!
Love you with much much love ciara <3 <3 <3

I am shocked and saddened by the news of David's passing.  It's been a number of years since the last time we chatted, but David was always a sounding board for me while I made the transition from an adolescent to a young adult.  He listened patiently while I worked through a lot of angst and uncertainty about what lay ahead for me and always had sound advice.  I am so very grateful for those chats, and I wish I had thanked him sooner.  My deepest condolences to his family as we have all lost a great man.

I was very sorry to hear about David's passing.  He was a figural person in my life when I taught Psychology at Capilano College.  As a student there he taught all of us, in his very honest and frank way, that disabilities can be not only accepted but also surpassed. He then took his abilities, committment and skills with him to provide many years of dedicated service to GF Strong.  
I shall miss David....I used to run into him at the Lynn Valley Centre and we would always engage in discussions where his interest in others shone through.
He will be missed.......

David was one of those people who was always looking out for others. We had many conversations over the years, sometimes in reference to our shared experience with disability, and other times it was just idle chitchat. However, our discussions usually came back to him trying to find a solution for somebody else. Rest in Peace my friend. Roger B. Jones

I was so sad to hear news of David.  David was always such a happy go guy.  He listened and gave good advise.  Always cared about others.   I was totally awe of him for coming into work every day nice and early even when not well.  I just wish we had kept in touch.  Wishing his family all the best in difficult time.  You will be deeply missed at GFS. Thanks for the laughs.

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I will miss Dave very much.  He always made a workday at GF Strong so much fun.  I miss our joking around and his gifts of Double Bubble gum via internal mail. He was always smiling and always had time for everyone.
It is hard to say goodbye, so I will only say farewell and "see you later Dave".

I was very saddened to hear of David's passing. He was such a nice guy and enjoyed his work at G. F. Strong Centre. We often shared lunches together and we nagged him about not wearing his coat when it was cold out. When he went off on medical leave he was greatly missed. I wish his family all the best.

David really touched my life in a positive manner. A sad loss for humanity and the disabillity community. May he rest in peace and may all those effected by his loss find peace and strength as well.

Dave fought hard and long and never complained.  I remember visiting him in ICU, tubes everywhere, couldn't speak, couldn't eat Or drink...but still, a smile, an aliveness, a certain peace about him.  I learned much from his insights and openness, his acceptance of 'what is'.  Thanks for being in my life Dave...too short, but full of quality.  Love and sympathy to your family and friends

God is for us a refuge and strength, a help readily to be found during times of distress-psalms 46:1

So sad… So young! Way too young! I will keep my fond memories of David in my heart. He loved adventure and trying new things. What a fighter! I also extend my deepest sympathies to David's family.

John Neumann

OBITUARY

Mr. David Kelly Metcalf

Born 5 MAY, 1958

Boal Chapel and Memorial Gardens

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