Daniel Paul Dias Tavares

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of our son, Daniel Tavares on July 30, 2024 at the young age of 22 years.

Left to mourn his passing are his parents Victor and Heather, Baba Valery, aunts and uncles, twelve cousins, and many close friends. Daniel was predeceased by his great-grandmother and three grandparents.

Very early on in Daniel’s life, he acquired many endearing nicknames such as “Danny, Danny Boy, Baba’s Boy, Dapper Dan, Dan The Man, Mr. Magoo, and Boo.” As soon as Daniel’s little fingers could wrap around a Hot Wheels car, that became the toy of choice in his early years. When the Disney movie Cars came into theaters, the song “Life is a Highway” became a quick favourite for years to come.

Daniel’s passion for cars carried on from his toddler years right up to the final day of his life. Daniel took automotive classes in high school and from there, he purchased car after car and then moved onto trucks. Driving was his passion. After high school graduation, Daniel went on to get his Class 3 License. He began driving truck for a living, when he moved to Estevan, SK for a time. It was there that Daniel successfully attained his Class 1 License. Daniel moved back to Winnipeg because he missed his family and friends and found what would become his dream job, working for the company Jade Transport LTD. When he created his resume and cover letter, he included in part, “I honestly believe that this is the job I was meant to do.”

Our family had the privilege of traveling to Portugal when Daniel was six and sixteen years of age. There, Daniel spent time with his grandparents and other family members. Daniel enjoyed the gorgeous scenery, the fresh fruits from his grandpa’s garden, especially the pears and oranges. Daniel would go into the garden and hand pick oranges to make freshly squeezed orange juice. Just recently, Daniel suggested that our family plan for a third trip, next year. He was even hoping to learn some Portuguese to make the trip more incredible.

Daniel loved fishing, including ice fishing with his dad and great-uncle. Daniel enjoyed camping, which became a family summer tradition early on. Last month, we went camping at Winnipeg Beach. Daniel was pretty proud that he had family over for meals and played card games in his trailer. He even moved his trailer from one campsite to another each evening, because that’s all the campground had available at the time. He did so willingly to make the most of the camping experience. We are so grateful to have had this precious quality time with Danny.

While there are no words to express this unimaginable loss, describing who and what Daniel was all about is possible. Daniel was our “Danny Boy.” He was full of love, energy, dance moves, kindness, humour coupled with being quick-witted, thoughtful, persistent, fun-loving and mechanically-inclined. This little boy who suddenly, before our eyes it seemed, became this amazing young man. Most of all, Daniel was loved.