David Richard Mills

The family of David Richard Mills, 44, of Halifax, is profoundly saddened to announce his sudden passing on Friday, March 26, 2021. Dave was born in Halifax on January 8, 1977 and adopted a few days later by Ray and Jan Mills; a baby brother to Joanna. He attended Rockingham School, Halifax West High School, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Nova Scotia Community College. He was a member of the Rockingham United Church family. During his school years, Dave excelled at sports and music. He played both soccer and football for the Halifax West Warriors and was both the drummer and singer in the infamous band 'Blue Balloon', who will be forever remembered for their gigs in the West cafeteria where Dave would be surrounded by a throng of female admirers. He was also a founding member of the 'R.B.A.P.' and would spend hours, when not 'studying', roaming the streets of Rockingham and Wedgewood with his friends. Summers spent at his Nana and Grampy's home in Bristol, England, were some of Dave's happiest times. As a kid, he could often be found in a local farmer's field exploding cow patties with firecrackers or skateboarding to the local corner store. An avid England supporter, Dave, his father and brother, all shared in the inevitable disappointment of an early exit for England in numerous World Cups. He also made many lifelong friends during his time in Swindon, England where he completed grade 11 at Ridgeway Academy, and where he spent a formative year after graduating high school in Halifax. Except for those 'few years he spent as a ninja', Dave worked for many years in the food service industry in Halifax before going back to school and becoming an ironworker apprentice at the Irving Shipyard, where he worked until his death. Dave loved nothing more than to be surrounded by his family and friends. He was often the centre of attention - whether he was sharing stories, telling jokes, or doing 'the worm'. He prided himself on his faultless memory (much to the annoyance of his family) and his endless supply of useless information that he liked to toss around at both appropriate and inappropriate times. If you were seeking a good belly laugh or secret insights to an underground dubbed Kung fu movie, Dave was your guy. He also loved the outdoors and spent many hours fishing and camping with his buddies and, as they got older, with their families. Dave will be lovingly remembered and profoundly missed by a wide group of family and friends from all over Canada, England, and Australia. If wealth were measured by the quality and quantity of a person's friends, then Dave was the richest guy in town. David is survived by his parents, Ray and Jan; his sister, Joanna (Scott) Flemming; his brother, Bob (Allana); his nieces and nephews, Jenna, Ben, Sammy, Audrey, and Chloe who affectionately referred to him as 'Uncle Day Day'; and numerous cousins and close family friends. Visitation is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31st, in J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Dr., Halifax - all are welcome. A celebration of David's life will take place at the same location on Thursday, April 1st at 10 a.m. Due to COVID-19 protocols, attendance at the celebration will be by invitation only. The latter will also be live-streamed, please see: www.jasnowfuneralhome.comfor further details and an online memorial. The family asks that those wishing to make donations in Dave's memory, consider Crosbie House Society (crosbiehousesociety.com), where Dave found wonderful solace and support. What would we give if we could say, We're off to go see Dave today; To hear his voice, to see his smile, To sit and talk with him a while.