David George Beith

“Anything is possible.” That is what David George Beith believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. David thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. David was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

       His parents were George and Barbara Beith. David was raised in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, David could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on David's family relationships. David was raised with 6 siblings. He had one older sister Debbie, two younger brothers, Jimmy and Freddie, and three younger sisters Wendy, Cindy and Barbie.

      As a young boy, David could be found building and inventing new and different things. He was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. David took part in gymnastics. He was a boyscout and a member at the YMCA and also played the piano. In his spare time he liked fishing, swimming, hunting, and motorcycles.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, David enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. David was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Sir James Dunn in 1971. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was machine shop.

      Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, David performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He earned his certificate of apprenticeship in the trade of electronic repairman. He also went on to take welding, computer programming, aviation ground school, and fabricating at cambrain college. Dave also had his pilots license and was a search and rescue diver.

      David was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around him. Always interested in his friends’ activities and interests. He was sought after by people who recognized that he was generous with his time and energy, and these same friends found David to be very stimulating company. David's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around him. While growing up, some of his best friends were Mike Guenther, Keith McClelland, Peter Denley and Ty Powers. Later in life, he became friends with Sid Hilderly, Steve Denley, and Jeurg Nagel.

      On October 25, 1975 David exchanged wedding vows with Brenda Dawn Salvalaggio at St. Andrew's United Church of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed verbally sparring with Brenda. In fact, those who knew him often remarked that David George loved to argue for argument’s sake. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Brenda's.

      David's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. David was blessed with four children., Greg, Amy, Erin and Nicole. Someone who was quick to laugh, David found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

      As a born inventor, David was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. David was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. David was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. His primary occupation was steel worker. He started off as an electronic repairman, then worked as a roller then became a general forman. He also operated a beef farm. He worked at Algoma Steel for 37 years. David always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      David's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since David was always searching for new and unusual activities, he developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things he became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew him, but most friends and family understood that David simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. His favorite pursuits were farming, fishing, motorcycle riding, ski-dooing, aviation, construction and welding.

      With all of his talents, his ingenuity, his solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that David received public recognition for his competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, David accumulated a long list of achievements throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included an award for saving a mans life.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued David. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for David George to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included British Columbia, Nova Scotia, South Carolina, and Florida. He also traveled to Mexico and India for work.

      David was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of David's favorites was Brandy, a Chesapeake bay retriever. They were best friends for 4 years. His family was rounded out by his dogs Bailey (Bubby), Red, Katie, Maggie and many barn cats.

      Even while in retirement, David never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In retirement, he found new pleasure in farming, working India, and starting a solar business. Even in retirement, David continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

      David died suddenly on Friday, March 16, 2012 at the age of 59. Beloved husband of Brenda for 37 years. Cherished father of Gregory, Amy, Erin Nichol (James) and Nicole. Dear son of Barbara and the late George. Much loved brother of Debbie Fleming (Jim), Wendy Cripps (John Halcrow), Freddie (June), Cindy Bowser (Keith), Jimmy, and Barb Armstrong (Doug). Son-in-law of Gerald and Shirley Salvalaggio. Brother-in-law of Wayne Salvalaggio (Jean), Gayle Smith (Nick) and Gerry Dunn (Kim). Uncle of many nieces and nephews. Services were held at Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre.

      During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to David. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. David was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For David, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For David George Beith, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

* * * * * * * * * *

BEITH, David George – Passed away suddenly on Friday, March 16, 2012 at the age of 59. Beloved husband of Brenda for 37 years. Cherished father of Gregory, Amy, Erin Nichol (James) and Nicole. Dear son of Barbara and the late George. Much loved brother of Debbie Fleming (Jim), Wendy Cripps (John Halcrow), Freddie (June), Cindy Bowser (Keith), Jimmy, and Barb Armstrong (Doug). Son-in-law of Gerald and Shirley Salvalaggio. Brother-in-law of Wayne Salvalaggio (Jean), Gayle Smith (Nick) and Gerry Dunn (Kim). Uncle of many nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 9 pm. A funeral service will be held in the chapel on Friday, March 23, 2012 at 11 am. Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Memorial donations made to the charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.