Dave passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning, dying as he lived quietly and with dignity. Dave was born in Victoria, and grew up in Esquimalt. He enjoyed much of his childhood at the waterfront family cottage in East Sooke where he spent countless hours outdoors chopping wood, catching crab, and fishing with his siblings and parents. Dave was never happier at the cottage than when he was paddling the dugout canoe around Whiffen Spit. He attended the University of Victoria and obtained an honours degree in Physics. During the early 1970’s, Dave’s work with the hydrographic service took him to Ellesmere Island and further beyond the Arctic Circle. The time he spent in the Arctic was one of the greatest experiences of his life. Dave met his wife Taffy in 1971 and they celebrated their engagement in 1975 by taking a three-month road trip to Guatemala in a van camperized by Dave. This was just the start of their many travel adventures together. Dave returned to UVIC to complete a second degree in teaching in 1976 and married Taffy in 1977.
Dave was a man of science with the eye of an artist. A lifelong learner, and a master teacher, he dedicated much of his 35-year teaching career to the mentorship of his students. He will be remembered for his ability to give so much of himself to others, and always with such joy and enthusiasm. Dave retired from teaching in 2010 and pursued the life of a globe-trotting renaissance man. He took immense pleasure in creating works of beauty whether it was showcasing his fine-woodworking talent in furniture building and renovation of his beloved Oak Bay home, playing Beethoven on the old family piano, or taking the lead in flower arranging for his daughter Jenna’s wedding. His thirst for adventure and passion for travel took him on countless experiences through over forty countries. Dave had a spiritual reverence for nature, and treasured time spent on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, camping, hiking, and kayaking with his core group of “Brooks Peninsula Boys”.
He was deeply committed to environmental stewardship and spent over two decades as a key leader in the protection and restoration of Mount Tolmie Park. Dave had a thirst for knowledge and a genuine curiosity of others that allowed him to build meaningful connections with a broad range of people. His loss is immense, and will be felt by so many.
Predeceased by his father Walter Lock, (2002), his mother Gladys Lock, (2017) and his well-loved son (Ian Lock, 2018), Dave will be forever missed by his beloved wife of 42 years, Taffy, his cherished daughter Jenna and son-in-law Nick, siblings Norman, Doreen (Fred), Alan, brother-in-law Tony (Hilary) as well as nieces, nephews, and many close friends.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.Those who knew him well know that Dave was a master fire builder and loved nothing more than to sit back and enjoy a roaring wood fire. Light a fire for Dave to honour the well-lived life of this irreplaceable man.
Flowers gratefully declined.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Mike Nethercott
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Tim Lilburn So sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. I met him often on Mt. Tolmie and we’d talk about removal of invasive plants. We’ll miss him on the mountain.
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Shauna Makin Hello, I was very sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. I remember spending time at your house babysitting your kids when I was in high school.
Kind regards, Shauna
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Patricia Barbon Dave was my homeroom teacher at Reynolds, I remember him as a kind happy man, who had the nicest smile. Left this life far too soon…sending my condolences to his family.
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U Paul and Ginny Gareau We were just now informed of Dave’s death. What a shock. We only knew him through the Mt Tolmie Conservancy Association which was a remarkable period to learn of his limitless hunger for more knowledge of the plants on Mt Tolmie and nature in general. He spent hours in Mt Tolmie Park after retiremeant and apart from clearing broom from much of it he organized the Conservancy; filling out the President’s duties and also the Treasureer’s function sending annual reports of our society to the government.
Dave never stopped teaching and escorted classes of students from various schools to help remove broom seedlings,learn the names of native plants and in general the Garry Oak Meadow Habitat. His hunger for travel never ceased during these activities, nor did his urge to go camping, hiking and kayaking. He was truly and outdoors man.
In addition Dave was a great friend for the 25 years we both knew him and we will miss him so very much
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Nancy Turner We are so saddened to hear about Dave’s passing. What a kind, gentle and knowledgeable man he was! His dedication to the restoration of the camas oak habitats on Mount Tolmie was monumental, and we will always think of him when we go there – especially when the camas are colouring the hilltop a brilliant blue. His friends on the Mount Tolmie Conservancy will miss him so much and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to Taffy, Jenna, Nick and all his family. Dave’s bright, strong spirit will live on in the hearts of all the people he touched and in the lands and waters where he loved to be. Nancy and Bob Turner
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Martin Anderson Taffy and family, I’m very sorry to hear of Dave’s death. It’s hard for me to imagine the sorrow you must feel at the loss of this vital, interesting and caring man. My contact with him has been in the Mount Tolmie Conservancy, where we relied on him to do virtuallly all the work. I hope to be able to attend the celebration of his life.
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Mathew Geddes Working alongside Dave on Mt. Tolmie was always a peaceful and soul-filling experience. For the past decade, Dave taught our students (from over 25 different countries around the world) about ecosystems, invasive species, and showed them how to get their hands dirty, pulling broom and hacking and removing Himalayan blackberry. I would imagine that he has supported over 1000 students over the years from SMUS to learn about service work. We are so grateful.
As a teenager, I had the good fortune to live on Mt. Tolmie for two years. I remember the mountain when it was covered from top to bottom with broom. To see the hill in its current splendor is a complete transformation. Dave’s leadership has made a lasting and significant legacy.
We will miss him.
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Margaret Roper Taff I am so sorry. I remember you two in the early years as starry eyed young lovers. Sending love to you from an old friend.
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Robert Allan Dugas Taffy, Jenna, Norman, Alan, Doreen and the rest of the family; your loss of dear Dave is so difficult for us. It is unfathomable how you must feel. Dear Dave, you are loved by so many……….we will miss you, oh so much!
Bob Dugas and Barbara Forrest Pannell
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Christine Kiss Taffy: Our sincere condolences — what a terrible and sad loss, way too early. Sincerely Christine & Joe Kiss
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Stephanie and Gordon Buckingham Dearest Taffy, we are heart broken for your loss. Please know that we truly care, and although our paths have diverged I think of you often.
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Pat Johnston I am saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. I have fond memories of him when we worked together many years ago on restoration work parties on Mount Tommie. The Park was part of the Garry Oak Restoration Project of which I was the co-ordinator. I remember Dave’s enthusiasm for nature and his incredible energy for looking after the Park. I also remember his friendly and supportive way with the students and volunteers who came to help out in the Park. His contribution to the beauty of natural areas in Victoria was enormous. I am sorry for your loss.
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Britta Taffy, Jenna and Nick,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know that we are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Much love,
Britta and Ed
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Jeannine Karas Taffy, I am so sorry to hear this news. Words can do little to ease your pain, but know that I am thinking of you and your family and sending loving thoughts your way.
Jeannine Karas
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Paul Scrimger I have just learned of my life long great friends unexpected passing. Sandra and I are both shocked to hear of such tragic news. I always expected Dave to just be there as long as I was, waiting for our next chance meeting so we could swap stories and catch up on our busy family lives.
We are in Mexico and out of touch down here, so have missed so much.
It seems just like yesterday we were joking around with school friends at our 50th high school reunion and missing Dave who was – of course – world travelling again. I was fully expecting him to be at our 55th and will miss him terribly.
Our deepest sympathies to Taffy and Jenna in such a tough time.
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Jot and Doreen Home Taffy and family: I know it has been over 40 years since you have heard from us but Doreen and I would like to wish our sincere condolences to you and your family for your lose. Jot and Doreen Home
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Lawrie and Jewel Spooner We are stunned and saddened to learn of David’s death. Lots of family history and fun times when we were kids with Dave at his family’s cottage in East Sooke and in the house on Esquimalt Road adjoining his father’s shop. David’s parent were “Uncle Walt” and “Aunt Glad” to us and the Spooner parents were “Uncle Bob” and “Aunt Marie” to Dave. Making Dave like a brother.
Our deepest condolences to Taffy, Jenna, Norm, Doreen, Alan and families.
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C.A. and Wanda Fields It is with shock and very heavy hearts that Wanda and I are reacting to the news of Dave’s passing. We offer our most heartfelt condolences to Taffy, Jenna and the family. Dave and I met and played together as best friends before we were even in school. So many memories of growing up together and traveling to Europe in the early 70’s, Sooke, and just hanging out. Unfortunately after moving away from Victoria we didn’t see each other as much as we should have. David will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
There is just no way to describe how sorry we are to hear this news.
Much love.
C.A. and Wanda Fields
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Daniel My heartfelt thoughts are with you and your mom.
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Katherine Nason I am so so sad to have heard this news. One day and 5 years to Shirley’s passing. I know how hard the death of a parent is when it is so sudden and I am sending you all my love and support. I am so truly sorry for your loss. I hope that you feel the love in the next while as your family grieves and you are able to heal through the loving memories that people share with you all.
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Debbie Vanderstap All my love to you Jenna and your mom and family. You will always be in my prayers ❤️ Take care of each other always Debbie, Bryan and Emmitt
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Sandi Klaver oh Taffy and Jenna. We are so sad. Lots of good memories. Bruce and Sandi Klaver
Sad to hear about Dave. He was my teacher and cross country coach at Reynolds in the early 80s. He was a kind and patient person with a great sense of humour, and a remarkable teacher.