David Brown

Left with heavy hearts are his three loving children, Samantha (Pete), Jennifer (Brent) and Matthew (Anna), his cherished sister Margaret (Pete) in the UK, his mother-in-law Janet, his brother-in-law Marcel Jr., sisters-in-law Dorothy in the UK, Maxine (Ken), Andrea (Ray), and Lindsay (Marc). He also leaves behind his loving nieces and nephews, Phillip (Coral), Andrew (Helen), Symon, Michelle (Steve), Kerry (Ben) in the UK and Joel (Leah), Stephane (Stephanie), Pascale (Gene), Gillian, Justine, Paige and Piper. The apple of Dave’s eye were his beloved grandchildren Kasia, Sienna, Jakob and Carmène. He also had a special bond with the Courchaine family for over 45 years (Louis, Jill, Sabrina, Julie and Jordan).

He is predeceased by his adored wife (Carmene), father-in-law (Marcel), aunt (Doris), uncle (Jack), uncle (Ken), uncle (Reg), Uncle (George), uncle (Derek),aunt (Freda), mother (Mary), father (Harold) and brother (Graham) of the UK.

Dave was born in Nottingham, England on October 23, 1951, one of 3 children to Harold and Mary Brown. He was a shy, quiet boy and avid soccer player. Dave graduated from Walker Street School in 1966. At the age of 15 , he started working at Turner plating and became an apprentice at People’s College in Nottingham where he graduated in Welding and Structural Fabrication in 1973. He traveled across the pond to Winnipeg, MB shortly after, where he took the position as a welder for Dominion Bridge. Eventually he became their Fabrication Foreman.

He then met the love of his life, Carmene, and they married shortly after, in 1975. Together they built a wonderful life, raising their three children in the Garden Grove area until Carmene passed in 1998 after 23 years of marriage.

Dave was never the same after her departure but he was always keeping himself busy. He worked for the Shelter Corporation as Property Manager once Dominion Bridge shut down in 1998, he then assisted with the supervision of many bridge and construction projects at Louisbourgh Construction from 2000 to 2002. Dave then worked as a consultant with Capital Welding, and he finally moved on to work as a handyman at The Winston until retirement.

Dave enjoyed music, concerts, swimming, bike-riding, watching his kids play sports, coaching softball and most of all - golf. He played at Hecla, Kildonan Park, St. Andrews and loved watching golf on the tube. In fact you couldn’t call him during The Masters or US Open as they were that sacred to him. He always looked forward to his annual Dominion Bridge golf tournament at Clear Lake and spoke so fondly of the memories he made with his DB buddies.

He made many close and life long friends at Dominion Bridge and throughout his life including Mick and Jackie Armstrong, Colin Woodfine, Melodye Duggan, Wayne Zajac, Bob Nichols, Dennis Dutton, Peter Firth, Bill Holowec, Wolf Rolke, Bill Pratt, Jim Campbell, Brent Buss, Boyse Shankar, Curtis Rafferty, and John Pilgram … he was well loved and there are many more friends he cherished and will miss.

Dave was an avid premier soccer fan and cheered on his favorite teams, Arsenal and Notts County at The Grove. He loved his soccer family at The Grove (Micheal Michaelides (Arlene) - RIP, Trevor Smith - RIP, Russell Metcalfe, Peter Firth & Miles Gould) and spoke of his mates so fondly through out the years. Dad looked forward to his weekly visits for a pint and pub fare at his favorite watering hole while catching an Arsenal game on tube.

Dave also loved the outdoors and long distance walking with his earphones on and music blasting (most likely Pink Floyd or The Beatles). He sometimes walked 10 kms a day as he absolutely loved it, I think it was his solitude away from the world. Whenever you’d call him he’d say he was walking or just heading out for a walk - it was a daily ritual for him.

In his later years he travelled to Vancouver frequently to visit his daughter Jennifer (Brent) and his newest grandchild Carmène, he ventured with them all over BC, Victoria, Hawaii and Mexico. Puerto Vallarta was a place he visited frequently in the winter months to escape the winter cold, it was paradise to him and he couldn’t wait to take off for sunny skies for a month or two.

Dave had a full and wonderful life, he passed away suddenly after a medical struggle in the spring this year and he will be sorely missed by many and loved by all.

The family plans on holding a celebration of life/service at Green Acres Funeral Home in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, family and friends can make donations on behalf of Dave to Meals on Wheels at

https://www.mealswinnipeg.com/donate-now/

My Hero

I know you’re by my side in laughter and in sorrow.

In sunshine and in rain I know you’re watching over me.

Until we meet again Dave …