March 11, 1937 - August 6, 2018
David Bruce Perry, 81, died at home as he wished on the morning of August 6. Born in Toronto on March 11, 1937, David was the youngest of three children. Predeceased by his parents Ernest Very Perry and Florence Gertrude (Ibbotson) and older brother, Paul.
Survived by his wife, Maxine Pirie and his four children Lynda, Jeff (Paula), Brenda (Greg), Cheryl (David). Grampa will be especially missed by Ana Luz, Lupita, Annalise, Lauren, Lindsay, Nathanael, Caitlyn, Ailie, Flora, Alice, Rebecca, and Solomon, and lovingly remembered by his sister Ruth (Perry) Marshall, and nieces and nephews (Cathy, Heather, James, Cecelia, Andrew, Mark, Alan, Lisa, Sara, Tim, Jennifer, Carolyn, and Kate).
Dad grew up in Oakwood and Port Credit. He graduated from Emmanuel College and was ordained in the United Church in 1967 serving pastoral charges in rural Ontario, rural Saskatchewan, and Regina. He earned his Journeyman's certificate in 1977 and had his own finishing carpentry business in Regina for many years. In 1985 he joined the staff at Naramata Centre where he especially enjoyed his role as host with many First Nations groups such as Sal'i'shan Institute.
After leaving the Centre in 1991 Dave fulfilled his dream of getting "back to the land," building a house overlooking the Slocan River near Castlegar. In 2003, the ocean beckoned, and he moved to Powell River where he met Maxine in 2010. Married in 2012, the two found much happiness together. We are grateful for the love and care Maxine gave and know Dad will be fondly remembered by Maxine's siblings and children: Sandi (and son John), Bruce (Marlene), Don (Pamela), and Joyann (Peter), Karen (Jeremy), Carol (John) and James.
Dave enjoyed reading, walking the trails (especially with a dog), picking berries to make jam, and cheering on his favourite hockey team. He loved the beauty found in nature, living close to water, and music. He had a good sense of humour, and enjoyed groan-worthy puns until the day he died.
The family wishes to express gratitude and acknowledge the home care and palliative doctors and nurses: Dr. Mesuda, Rob, Laurel, Brittany, Lori, Bryce, Laura, and Tracy, for the excellent care they provided during the last days of David's life. Many others, too numerous to mention, were invaluable in helping Dave to enjoy a good quality of life.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Dave's memory to Doctors Without Borders, the MS Society, the Canadian Cancer Society, or your local SPCA.
A service will be held Wednesday, August 29, at 1:00 pm at Sands Funeral Chapel in Nanaimo, BC.
Personal condolences to the family can be sent via https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/sands-nanaimo.
Sands Funeral Home Chapel Nanaimo