David Wallace Madison

David Madison lived a life rich with creativity, curiosity, and quiet magic. Modest by nature, he rarely spoke at length about his remarkable experiences, instead revealing them gently over time — often to the surprise of those who thought they already knew him well.

Born and raised in Alameda, California, Dave grew up under the care of his grandparents in a household shaped by strong, artistic women: a grandmother who was both a long-distance open-water swimmer and performing pianist; an aunt who performed acrobatics on stage; and a mother who was a gifted writer with a brilliant, restless mind. Though his childhood was marked by challenges, including his mother’s struggles with mental illness, it shaped the tender, perceptive, and deeply kind man he became.

As a boy, Dave spent time living in Hawaii, an experience that left a lifelong imprint. The warmth, spirit, and mythology of the islands — especially the legend of Madame Pele — stayed with him always, and Hawaii remained a place of deep reverence and belonging throughout his life.

An accomplished athlete, Dave played football in high school, lining up alongside Bing Crosby’s sons — a fitting glimpse into a life that was understated yet continually brushed by the extraordinary.

Music became one of his great passions. After discovering flamenco guitar as a young man, Dave devoted himself to mastering the instrument. His musical journey led him to win the Ed Sullivan Army Show in 1959, where he performed Drunken Sailor, followed by an appearance on The Jack Paar Show. He toured across the United States in his VW Beetle, recording folk music wherever the road led.

Dave later moved to Canada, beginning a thirty-year career with CBC Radio in Prince Rupert, where he worked as an announcer, interviewer, and storyteller. His curiosity and warmth led him to conversations with artists, musicians, community leaders — and even André the Giant, who once squeezed into Dave’s car for an interview.

Deeply woven into the cultural fabric of northern British Columbia, Dave performed in light opera, starred as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof under director and friend Iona Campagnolo, helped establish Folkfest ’75, and later taught theatre and performance to seniors with patience, humour, and generosity.

A defining chapter of Dave’s life began on an airplane to Hawaii, where he met Joan — “Granny” — his partner of forty-five years. Their relationship was one of deep friendship, shared curiosity, and enduring love. Together, they created a home filled with art, laughter, travel, and warmth, shaping the lives of their grandchildren profoundly.

As a grandfather — not by blood, but wholly by bond — Dave was humble, present, and endlessly supportive. He documented family life through his ever-present camcorder, taught his grandchildren to swim and snorkel, hummed quietly while doing dishes, and offered patience where others might rush. He even brought his theatrical charm to life as Santa Claus for two seasons, embodying kindness both in costume and out.

In his later years, as memory faded, his tenderness never did. Even when details slipped away, love remained. A gentleman until the end, and even at ninety-two years old, he insisted on walking visitors to the door whenever they came by.

Dave passed away peacefully on December 14, 2025 — quietly, without fanfare, the way he did everything. Just forty-five days after the loss of his beloved "Joanie". He was ninety-two.

He is remembered as a man of quiet brilliance, artistic devotion, gentle humour, and deep heart — someone whose life revealed itself slowly, but left an enduring mark.

He will be carried forward in stories, in music, in home movies, and in the many lives he touched.

Aloha and mahalo, Grandpa Dave.