David Lloyd Walmsley

David Lloyd Walmsley was known as many things to many people. He was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew him best, Dave will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

Dave was born on October 6, 1949 in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan. He was the son of Annie May Line (Dec 30, 1917- Oct 4, 1992) & Francis John Dearl Walmsley (Aug 21, 1917- Feb 21, 1968). Dave grew up in Swift Current until he was 10 years of age when they moved to Oshawa Ontario. He was raised with 3 siblings. He had an older brother Bill & Ron and a younger sister Patricia.

As a young boy, David had a number of interests. Like most children, he enjoyed playing and making up games. He was curious about the world around him and was often eager to explore it. He always provided a helping hand around the house and on the farm and loved taking care of and riding horses. In his spare time he liked to build forts and play cowboy and Indians with his cousins, friends and brothers. However, to Dave, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with his friends.

As a teenager, Dave had a lot of good times in high school but worked many jobs to make money for him and his family, making that critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. He attended McLaughlin High School until 1968 completing grade 11. He enjoyed some classes more than others but mostly interested in shop, art and math. Dave enjoyed hanging out with his friends, going to dances and sporting his convertible car that he worked so hard to buy and had many fun adventures with his best friend Gordie Vandewalker.

On November 1, 1969 Dave exchanged wedding vows with Sharon Louise Sparkes at Albert Street United Church of Oshawa, Ontario. Empathic and loyal, David was committed to making his new family happy.

Dave worked hard to be a good father to his children and he did his best to fulfill their needs. Dave was blessed with two daughters, Lorrie Anne & Kimberly Michelle. Later in life, he was blessed with the gift of four grandchildren Carley, Brooke, Tara and Kendall in which he thoroughly enjoyed being a Grampy to all his girls!

Dave had a gift of craftsmanship and used his talents wisely to renovate homes, build in-ground pools, and fix up just about anything with precision and perfection. He even bought an old utility van and gutted the entire vehicle and turned it into the first “luxury van” with new paint, wall to wall carpet, futon bed, cabinets, sink, TV, reclining chairs and to top it off with an unforgettable horn sound of ‘AWHOGA’. He did all this so we could drive across country in style and in comfort for a family reunion in Calgary and for us to see the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Dave spared no expense to make every adventure unique and memorable!

Dave went back to school to complete his Grade 12 education as an adult. The academic demands were challenging but Dave was an extremely intelligent man who was able to manage through the difficulties with fortitude and persistence and even furthered his education b pursuing a Computers and Business Diploma at Durham College Academy of Learning graduating in July 1999.

Fortunately, Dave had a strong work ethic and worked diligently and did his best to succeed in his career. His primary occupation was in the automotive industry and although the work was tough, it provided his family a good living. He was employed for 30 years at Chrysler Corporation where he always stood out as a leader, a team player in doing what was necessary in order to get the job done right!

Always considered a “good” friend to those he knew, David enjoyed a broad group of acquaintances and several very close friends during his lifetime. While growing up, some of his best friends were his brothers and cousins (Donnie & Norm). He became friends with so many people throughout his life including family members and lifelong buddies such as Bob Woods, Moss Lenihan, Ervin Park, Dave Banks and Gerry Dupuis who were all very near and dear to his heart.

David enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were gardening, wood working, golfing and camping in his 5th wheel trailer. He was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

David enjoyed playing on a recreational league for Oshawa-Durham Men's Lobball. David wasn’t a professional sports fan until his retirement years when he enjoyed Golf and Baseball whenever he had the chance to watch or go to live events. However, he mostly loved watching anything his daughters or grand-daughters participated in. Always cheering on his girls as their biggest fan!

David enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for him to be adventurous and explore new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included Australia & New Zealand. He explored all of Canada from coast to coast, most of Europe and enjoyed many island adventures with friends to places like Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Cuba, Honduras and Belize.

When Dave’s retirement finally arrived in 2000, he was well prepared. His new life involved traveling around North America in his 5th wheel exploring the entire United States. They spent several winters in Texas, Arizona and the last several years in Florida. In retirement, he found new pleasure particularly staying in one retirement community in Florida called Beacon Lakes where they met so many great friends and enjoyed the community events. He was always willing to participate in general maintenance chores to keep the place running smoothly and also enjoyed playing on a Wii bowling team and always loved a good game of cards, a community cookout and dances. Even in retirement, Dave continued to stay in touch with his old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances such as Clint Hibbert and Tony Czaplinaki who were his coffee and golfing buddies that quickly became his very close friends over the years.

Dave was active in his new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered him. They enjoyed hosting visitors that wanted to take in the Florida sunshine, showing them all around and them on different exertions such as the Weeki Wachee Springs canoe adventures! These adventures created endless laughter and unforgettable stories!

Dave passed away on October 23, 2020 in his home with his wife and two daughters by his side. David fought a battle against ALS. He is survived by his wife Sharon, his children Lorrie, Kim (& Shelley, a daughter connection later in life), his grandchildren Carley, Brooke, Tara and Kendall and older brother Bill.

Simply stated, Dave was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by his family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Dave leaves behind him a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life he touched will always remember David Lloyd Walmsley.

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WALMSLEY, David Lloyd

Peacefully at his residence with his family by his side, on Friday October 23, 2020 at 71 years of age. Beloved husband and best friend of Sharon for 50 years. Cherished father of Lorrie MacKinnon (Scott), Kimberly Haines (Scott) and fondly missed by Shelley Wickens (Jim) and their family (Taylor, Braedon & Kevin). Loving Grampy of Carley, Brooke, Tara, Kendall, Nicole and Joey. Dear brother of Bill (Nancy) and late brother Ron (Angie), sister Patricia and Brother-in-law of Roslyn & Ken, Claudia & Terry, Gary & Donna. Warmly remembered uncle of Tedine, Billy, Ronnie, Tim (Tina), Megan (Jon), Shane, Adam (Jessica), Ashley (Evan) and Brandon. Dave will be greatly missed by his extended family and many wonderful friends that were all very near and dear to his heart. A Celebration of Life will be held at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Saturday, October 31st from 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to ALS would be appreciated.