It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of David Edward Johnston, on Tuesday September 17, 2024, at the age of 87 years. Dave was born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan to parents, Bill and Jean Johnston. When he was still young, his family decided to pack up and move to Victoria, British Columbia; and ever since, Dave considered himself a proud Victorian.
Dave was a businessman and entrepreneur, running his own business in telecommunications for over 35 years. His work took him coast to coast, meeting many interesting characters along the way. One such character being his beloved wife of nearly 23 years, Deborah; whom he met in his travels while she worked as a flight attendant. Together the couple travelled the globe and their own backyard of Vancouver Island, at one point even living in an RV for several months while they searched for their next landing pad.
Dave was an avid boater and lover of the sea. When someone would visit from out of town, he was sure to take them on his boat to see the best of Victoria, making sure they got an island fishing experience. Whether it was fishing for salmon or setting traps for crabs & prawns, Dave loved it all equally while sharing it with those around him. He cruised many nautical miles on his pride and joy, “The Wavemaker”, a 60 ft yacht he personally refurbished going as far as River’s Inlet near Haida Gwaii several times.
Dave’s children and grandchildren have many fond memories of life on the water with him over the years. Dave was a kind, generous and loyal man, never missing the chance to offer a helping hand. He was a lover of animals and nature, always appreciative of the beauty around him. All who knew him will miss his big heart, contagious smile and passion for life.
Dave will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Deborah Knowles; his daughters, Kathy (Brad) McGaw, and Tricia (Gerry) Schley; his grandchildren, Stephen and Angela Johnston, Chelsea (Alex) Zdeb, Jaclyn (Jamie) Weremi, Colton and Jaiden Dorio; his great grandchildren, Ryder and Caiden Johnston, Walker Weremi, Brexlea and Alena Zdeb; as well as extended family. He is predeceased by his parents, Bill and Jean; as well as his son, Trevor.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation in Dave’s name would be greatly appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Marion Woodley
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Robert Robert and Laura
We will have and cherish all of the great memories. A long and strong business and personal relationship has passed but the memories and great time will always be with us. You will be be missed my friend .
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Mary Goodman Dear Deborah,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss Deborah. Although I only met Dave once I remember the time well. It was on a flight from Halifax to Vancouver and the two of you brought the most wonderful seafood platter to share with the entire crew. I doubt that the passengers on that flight got much attention as we were too busy devouring that delicious present!
Condolences to you and your family Deb..Much love,
Mary
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Laurie and Oscar Cruz Dear Debbie,
Our deepest condolences to you and Dave’s family. We have so many wonderful memories of time spent with Dave and you, having lived for almost 14 years in the “cottage” at Kedge Anchor. So many fun dinners, prawning and crabbing trips, and especially our wonderful trip to Desolation Sound. I can still hear Dave calling us up and saying “Got a minute?”, to invite us down to the dock to share the crabs or prawns he had just brought in that day. He spoiled us from ever wanting to buy seafood at the store! Dave was so kind to us over the years and we will always be thankful for our time together. Love and hugs to you, Oscar and Laurie
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Mike and Irene Dearest Deb & family.
We both remember all our happy times
we shared with you and David.
He will be greatly missed!
With lots of love from Mike & Irene
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Elizabeth Coleman My thoughts and prayers are with you
Memories of having spent a special vacation with you and Dave
will never be forgotten
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Suzanne Knowles My condolences to Debbie and Dave’s family and friends.
I have a fond memory of enjoying a night out in Victoria with Dave and Debbie, who graciously shared their win from a charity silent auction with us and another couple that included a limousine ride downtown, a microbrewery tasting, followed by a multi-course meal with beer pairings in an old bank turned restaurant.
Years before, Dave presented John and me with the opportunity to drive across Canada from southern Ontario to the Island by returning the RV he used as his accommodation at his business site. Many memories were created during our vacation that Summer that mimicked much of my journey as a child moving from Burlington to metro Vancouver with my father’s job transfer to the west coast.
I knew Dave as a quiet, gracious man and know how much he will be missed.
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DIANE AND STEVE Debbie and I met Dave on a flight to Victoria in May 2000. He graciously invited us and the flight crew to an outing on his boat the next day on the WaveMaker. Although we all had a great time, he only had eyes for Deb. As they say, the rest is history. They married in September 2001 in Toronto. Dave was a wonderful, kind person who was a great addition to our Ontario family. We all had fun times at our Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. Everyone loved his easygoing and generous nature. Dave will be dearly missed and never forgotten. Rest in peace dear Dave. Sincere condolences to all his family and friends. Diane(sister)and Steve(brother in law)
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Aila It was with deep and profound sadness that I heard of Dave’s passing from you. I know how much you loved and cared for each other. May you find the strength to enter into the next chapter of your life without him by your side.
He will always be with you in spirit.My condolences to you and the rest of the family and friends who will miss his presence.
Much love,
Aila, Eric, Kristen and Matt
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Dorothy Wittick “The chain has been broken and nothing seems the same. But one by one God calls us back and the chain will link again.”
I have such wonderful memories visiting you and Dave. Dave was such a kind, gentle, generous soul. With such a passion for being on the water which he so passionately shared. He will be so dearly missed.
Our deepest condolences my dear friend.
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Patrice Wilton Debbie I ache for you. Dave was such a wonderful man who loved life, his beloved ocean, a good laugh, and was always a gentle and kind spirit. My condolences to you who loved him so much, his entire family and friends.
He will live through you and the memories you created together. Time does not easily heal when you love someone so deeply, but the memories and photos will sustain you.
I’m sending you my love and compassion. I know you are a strong woman who made this special man of yours extremely happy. That’s the greatest gift of all.
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John Knowles My deepest condolences to friends and family.
One of our first memories of Dave was when my wife and I were visiting the island for a few days. He and Debbie took us out in the Wavemaker for prawning. We remember having such a blast, pulling up those traps and sorting out in the net the good ones and the ones that had to go back in the water. Returning to his dock was the next step — cleaning them before we could enjoy them. Fresh prawns! What a treat!He enjoyed watching many sports: hockey, baseball — especially the Blue Jays.
He was a very kind man and will be sorely missed.
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Jean Young So terribly sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. My condolences to his immediate family including his widow Kathy, Trisha, Trevor’s children and all his children and grandchildren. Much love and well wishes, Jean, Donna. and Jennifer Young.
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Marie-Thérèse Drouin My dear Deborah, I’m heart broken for you. I know how very much you loved your man. My deepest condolences to you and to all his family and friends.
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Nancy Law Dave and I have been friends since meeting in 1998.
Every few months, we’d meet over a drink or lunch. Dave never hesitated to check in and see how I was doing or if I needed anything throughout my own health struggles. He was generous and kind-hearted and a friend to everyone fortunate enough to have known him.
It was a tough time for Dave, dealing with the illness and loss of his son, Trevor, but he always spoke of him with pride, as he did with all his children and grandchildren. He would light up telling me about his travel adventures taken with Debbie, but nothing compared to the joy he found in sharing stories about his family or about the critters living around his former place on Kedge Anchor road.
I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I will miss him and miss hearing his tales. My heartfelt condolences go out to Debbie and all the family. Dave was a special guy. He will truly be missed.
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Andrea Johnston My heartfelt condolences to Dave’s family. My memories of Dave take me to boating, Island hopping and family. His passion for the water was extended to myself and Husband Trevor ( Dave’s son). We learned so much about transforming boats to pleasure crafts, different areas to anchor for the best prawning, fishing and crabbing. May you all find strength and love during this difficult time.
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Agnes freeman Sincere condolences to family and friends of Dave. My thoughts are with you, Deborah my good friend.
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Bill When we lose someone close to us, they continue to live through us and give us strength. They are so connected that they become a part of us.
Dave may be gone, but will never be forgotten.
My sincere condolences to family and friends.
You will be missed.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
May all the wonderful memories you both shared bring you comfort
during this very sad time.