Dad will be lovingly remembered by his children; Steve Sellers (Ilse) and Darci Sellers (Paul Sliskovic); grandchildren Jonathan Gaba and Reese Sliskovic as well as numerous friends and close relatives.
Dad was predeceased by his forever love, Anne Sellers (Gaylie) in 2011. They are forever together again.
Dad was born in Vancouver, B.C. July 22, 1940, to George Sellers and Nellie Sellers (Nyberg). He was their only son and brother to Judith.
In 1950, Dad moved with his family to Namu, a small fishing village along the mainland shore of the B.C. West Coast. From his first years in Namu and later living in nearby Bella Bella, Dad developed a deep and lifelong connection and respect for the First Nations people of B.C. Over the years, Dad always enjoyed sharing his numerous and exciting stories about his life with friends, fishing, his dog ‘Mike’, youthful shenanigans and becoming “The Fastest Kid in Namu” in 1952.
Dad always had an independent restlessness and tireless need for adventure. In 1955, and in the search for something new and exciting, Dad joined the R.C.A.F. and travelled the world for a few years as a flight crew member aboard large transport planes. Shortly after Dad left the service, he and a buddy decided they weren’t happy with their day-to-day jobs and decided to do something about it. They had a few beers and decided to hitch hike to Panama, Central America. The boys made it the U.S. Embassy in Panama City, 1961. Dad returned to Canada and decided to try his hand at commercial fishing. He immediately joined a crew on a West Coast Troller named the ELVIRA 11 and chased salmon, halibut and ling cod up and down the B.C. West Coast for 2 years. He loved it! But he loved his sweetheart Anne back in Vancouver even more.
Dave and Anne married on August 3, 1963.
They decided that the big city of Vancouver or a coastal fishing village wasn’t quite right for starting their family and decided to move to the B.C. Interior. Dave and Anne soon welcomed Steve and Darci. Dad was a devoted and very hard-working family man. Dad had natural charisma, charm and a caring intuitiveness for people that carried him into a very successful career in sales. He worked relentlessly to provide for his family which often took him away as he travelled the province working for companies like Facelle Royale and then for Procter and Gamble. He forged lifelong friendships with many customers and colleagues.
He was very involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s lives. He cared deeply for their well-being and was often there for their activities and accomplishments. Two of his favourite sayings were “Go Jonny Go!” and “Go Girl Go!” at the kid’s hockey games and events. Dad thoroughly enjoyed teaching the kids how to fish at Bear (Lambly) Lake as he wanted to pass on the joy, beauty and solitude of nature and to respect the world around us. He said, “Always leave something better than you found it.”
Bear Lake had become a very special place to Dad. His first visit was in 1958. He returned often throughout his life and after Anne passed away, he leased a cabin there in 2012. In recent years, Dad was never far away from a good book, his pipe or writing his short stories in a quiet place at the lake. He deeply enjoyed his time alone with his thoughts, watching the fish jump and feeding the chipmunks.
Dave will be honoured with a Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 16, 2022 – 11:30 AM at First Memorial Funeral Home at 1211 Sutherland Ave. Kelowna B.C. with a luncheon to follow.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com
Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299
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