David Melville Brown

David Melville Brown “Bumpa” was born on June 22, 1946 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg. He was the son of Elizabeth Louise (Moore) and John Melville Brown, a brother for Denny and Donald, and about 15 months later for his sister, Janet. The family moved to Fort Garry in 1951 where David lived for the remainder of his life with his wife Marsha, and their children, Andrew and Catherine not far from where he grew up.

He was an active citizen of Fort Garry and later of Winnipeg when all of the suburban municipalities were amalgamated. In many respects he was a pillar of the community, serving as a councillor and later Deputy Mayor of Winnipeg. He was a supporter of Victoria Hospital and served on the Board of its foundation for many years. As a young man he played hockey and football for the teams of Fort Garry, and as he matured he became a linebacker and offensive guard for the Weston Wildcats and the St. Vital Bulldogs.

David worked in the construction business for many years as the owner, and CEO of Atkins Underground which provides trenchless pipe installation services for general sewer and water contractors. He was an active member of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association, having served on its Board of Directors and as its President.

The cottage at West Hawk Lake was his summer retreat and he spent many happy hours there as a young boy, then with Marsha Ruby whom he married in 1973 and with their children, Andy and Catherine and latterly with his grandchildren Parker, Cooper and Blake Bonneteau to whom he was their beloved Bumpa. He had a license plate identifying his truck as “2DLAKE” and his greatest pleasure was in fixing up “the place” which was hugely enhanced by the addition of Steve to the family. When he and Catherine married, he proudly and happily would tell everyone “I didn’t lose a daughter; I gained a carpenter”

For the past 10 winters Dave and Marsha joined many of their Fort Garry friends at Pine to Palm in Weslaco Texas where he enjoyed golfing, happy hours and playing hockey with the Trailer Park Trash team.

David was an avid golfer. His wife Marsha would attest to the fact that he even considered himself something of a golf instructor. He also was a keen sportsman. He would troll West Hawk for trout by the hour and fish for “picks” on Lake of the Woods with Parker, Cooper, Steve and Donald, but nothing could compare with duck shooting out in the marsh on a beautiful Manitoba morning in October. He was a member of the Portage Country Club which is located on the west side of the Delta Marsh and he spent many happy hours there with his Portage La Prairie friends, his brother Donald, his son, Andy, his nephew Ward and his son-in-law Steve. He loved his dogs Jessie, a mischievous black Labrador; another black Labrador, Toby, who succeeded her; Jake, a big beautiful yellow Lab; and latterly his “grand dog” Gus. Those who had the pleasure of his company at the hunting lodge will deeply miss his good humour, good fellowship and plain fun.

David was diagnosed with leukemia in September, and all attempts to arrest its insidious development failed. He passed away peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital on February 24, 2016 with his family by his side.

He is survived by his wife Marsha Kay (Ruby); his son Andrew James, his daughter Catherine “Mink”, his son-in-law Steve Bonneteau, their children Parker David, Cooper Shane, and Blake Ruby “Minky”, his sisters-in-law Diana Ruby and Lisa Spry (Bill), their children Kaitlin, Kelsey and Logan, his brother Donald and his wife Bonnie and their children Ward and Lindsey, his sister Janet and her husband Doug Gregory, and their children Sharon, Diane and Sandra, his cousins James, Roland, and Betty Lorimer, Marilyn (Meyers), Earl and Dale (Wiebe). David’s father and mother and his brother Denny predeceased him.

Please join us for a celebration of Dave's life on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Caboto Center, 1055 Wilkes Avenue.

His family would like to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Brian Sharkey, Dave's physician and friend, for his exceptional care over the years.

If friends so desire, donations in Dave's memory may be made to Ducks Unlimited Canada, (P.O Box 1160,Stonewall, MB R0C 2Z0 or www.ducks.ca), a charitable organization active in wetlands conservation at Delta marsh, a cause close to his heart.