David Allen Carter

Carter, David Allen - 75 of Dartmouth. It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather on May 3rd, 2012 at the Dartmouth General Hospital surrounded by his loving family, after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Oxford Junction on March 21, 1937 he was the son of Mildred and Anton Carter. He was raised in Westchester Station and Dartmouth. David was a strong athlete in his younger years and excelled at fastball and hockey. He worked at Hunters Tavern and the Dartmouth Sports Store before starting his own business, Carters Siding and Trim. In 1983 David suffered 2 heart attacks and 2 strokes in the same day leaving him a quadriplegic. After a year in hospital and another year in Rehab he moved into Northwood Center for 16 years where a nurse suggested to him to try mouth painting to strengthen his neck muscles. With great determination he painted everyday and became a very accomplished and world-renowned mouth painter. He was a proud member of The Association of Mouth and Foot Artists Worldwide. Through this association David was able to travel to British Columbia, Atlanta, Georgia and co-host an art expo with Robert Bateman. David was commissioned by Canada Post in 2000 to paint their Christmas stamp titled “B.C”. David’s paintings have been sold worldwide and he had the pleasure of meeting Prime Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and the Vice President of the United States. In 1995 David returned home to his original homestead in Woodlawn where he and Doreen had raised their family. Here, with the help of caregivers he managed his home and took care of all the day-to-day things, even doing all of his own shopping. His Christmas presents were always a real surprise! He took great pride in his accomplishments and his independence. David was a founding member of the Tetra Society of Halifax, a non-profit organization that recruits skilled volunteers to create customized assistive devices for people with disabilities. With their help David had a customized easel built and could also operate his own wheelchair allowing him to paint independently for hours. He was also a member of the Canadian Paraplegic society and has donated a number of paintings over the years to numerous foundations for fundraising. David is survived by his children David (Paula), their girls, Amanda, Jessica, Devyn and Haley, Derek (Tammy) and their boys, Kyle (Danielle) and Dylan, Doreen, Darlene (Paul) and her children Crystal (Kevin) and Bret, Drew (Melissa) and her children Olivia and Ethan, as well as his great granddaughter Taylor. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Doreen (Sis) Carter, brothers Frank, George, Anton and one in infancy. David had a number of wonderful caregivers over the years who helped him maintain his independence. We would like to thank them all, especially Jerri Lee who was by his side for over 16 years. We would also like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Dartmouth General Hospital for the wonderful care that they gave our Dad, most especially ICU nurse Linda who made David’s last night most comfortable for all of us. Visitation will be held at A. L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street, Dartmouth on Saturday May 5th from 2-4 and 7-9 and on Sunday May 6th from 2-4. Funeral service will be held at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church at 10 Maple Street in Dartmouth at 10 am Monday May 7th, 2012. Family burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery, Londonderry Mines. Family flowers only. Donations in David memory can be made to the MFPA - Mouth and Foot Painting Artists at 183 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1P1 or 1-866-637-2226 Online condolences may be viewed or sent to: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com

Dad, you were the toughest guy we have ever known and are the greatest inspiration. We will love and miss you forever.

“If you can dream it, you can do it”