David Lee Barnesco, aka ‘Big’ Dave, beloved husband of Elizabeth (nee Mercer), beloved father of David Brian, passed away after an illness of several months, in his 63rd year, at Brampton Civic hospital on February 22, 2021.
Along with his wife and son, Dave is survived by his mother, Marion, his brother Randy, his sister Susan Turton (Scott), his father-in-law, John Mercer, and a large circle of sisters-and-brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and cousins-in-law, dear friends, colleagues, and countless acquaintances who have been the recipients of Dave’s ability to fix almost anything.
Dave was witty, skilled at sarcasm, extremely smart, mechanically clever, could put back together anything he took apart, and had a particular talent for repairing and reworking broken objects of all sorts for the benefit of his family and friends.
He was a self-taught ‘ Computer Guy’, the proud owner of ‘The Computer Shed’, where he built and repaired home computers ‘on the cheap’ for friends, colleagues and acquaintances, less for profit than for satisfaction. Dave loved making people smile and he was especially gratified when he could help someone out for the cost of parts, donating his spare-time labour just because he was a nice guy.
Dave, though born in Toronto in 1958, was a Bramalea boy, who moved here in 1962. He grew up in the ‘A Section’, playing hockey, riding mini-bikes, and getting away with plenty of mischief thanks to his charm, ability to tell a convincing tale, and his endearing grin. He began dating Liz in 1977, and they lived in Brampton West end from 1982, except for a brief time in Huntsville 1993-1995, until buying a home in the ‘B Section’ in 1997, where they lived until his death.
After some years in the Radiator business, then as an assistant Millwright in the printing trade, Dave graduated from the Centennial College Automotive Service Education ‘ASEP’ program in 1990, and became a General Motors ‘Mr Goodwrench’ tuneup / driveability guy, a profession which he loved, though some of the inequities of the trade frustrated him to the extent that he told Davey he’d have his father’s blessing for any occupation EXCEPT that of auto tech.
Dave had many hobbies in addition to computers, which he passionately pursued over the years, including power boating, lake and stream fishing, golf, and most recently, his proud membership in Brampton MAAC Flying Club, flying drones, planes, quad-copters, and RC ‘toys’ of all sorts, which he loved. He said recently that he felt this pastime gave him more enjoyment and satisfaction than anything else he had ever done. He made many good friends, on the field, and in the clubhouse, and the family thanks them all for their contribution to Dave’s happiness.
Dave’s mortal remains have been entrusted to Andrews Community Funeral Centre, where they will be cremated, and you can sign the book of condolence at www.Andrewscommunityfuneralcentre.com. There will be no service at this time, due to COVID, but the family plans a Celebration of Life later in the year, when Social Distancing is possible in a park setting, in keeping with Dave’s love of the outdoors.
Elizabeth and Davey were heartened, and grateful, to learn that despite the ravages of advanced lung cancer and related complications that led to his untimely demise, Dave’s eyes will live on, providing the gift of sight, plus contribution to medical knowledge, through donation via the Trillium Foundation. In Dave’s memory, please: Don’t Smoke! Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society are also gratefully requested, in lieu of flowers or other tributes, should you be so moved.
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