Benedict Patrick David

October 27, 1942 – August 13, 2024

Ben passed away peacefully under the loving care of Rainbow Gardens with his wife Grace David by his side.

“Benny” was born in Nootka in 1942 to to Hyacinth Peter David (Tla-o-qui-aht) and Winifred David {nee George/Hamilton} (Hupacasath). He was their 9th child of 14. Ben was a residential school survivor and attended Christie Residential School on Meares Island until his family moved to the states when he was 15.

They lived in Yuma Arizona, then Seattle where he met and married Grace Lawrence in 1969. They had two children together Irvin and Bonnie. Ben also fathered Steven prior to meeting Grace, in 1967, when he was adopted by a loving family. Steven was reunited with Ben in 1999 and woven back into the family.

In 1980, he moved his family home to Long Beach where he enjoyed fishing and hunting for 8 years. They then settled in Port Alberni where Ben became an active part of the community with notable contributions to the United Native Nations, Port Alberni Friendship Center, West Coast Native Health Care Society, Tsawaayuus Rainbow Gardens, Canoe Journeys, and the Annual Elder’s Gathering there he and Grace were crowned “King and Queen.” Ben made friends wherever he went throughout Port Alberni and anywhere he traveled. He was always generous with his teachings and stories with all that got to meet him. He passed away at home, at Rainbow Gardens, the home he helped to build for Native elders.

Ben is predeceased by brothers Reginald, Irvin, Edward, Douglas, George, Richard & Ronald, sisters Lorraine, Linda, Stella, Patricia &Theresa. And is survived by his loving wife Grace of 55 years, brother Hyacinth Joseph David, children Steven Van Der Minnie (Dora), Irvin David (Nicole) & Bonnie David-Deplaedt (Darrell), grandchildren Sasha, Harmonie (Justin), Lyndsey (Pushkar), Colton, Jared (Sarah), Jacob, Holly (Jakob) & Beau and great-grandchildren Karolyn, Gracelyn, Brooklyn, Harper and Miller.

A service will be held Monday August 19 at Cherry Creek Hall in Port Alberni.

We will forever remember Ben as a devoted, loyal and loving husband, dad, grandpa, uncle, brother, son and friend.