Obituary for David Wright
A Tribute to Our Father, David Wright
Our Dad, David Wright born March 25th, 1931 passed away peacefully July 1st 2023.
He was born in Victoria, BC to Archibald and Annie Wright. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marion, his brother, George (Betty), his sister Janet Benner, and four daughters, Wendy (Cliff), Kerry (George), Sue (Greg), and Shelley (Steve).
Dave’s childhood was spent in Vic West where, as the oldest son, he looked after the family when his father was away cooking on CPR ships.
He earned the nickname “Gwamp” for his reputation as a fierce protector of his family, friends and soccer teammates.
Dave spent many hours playing soccer and fishing with his best buddy, Ron Pearce. Their friendship continued long into their married lives.
Marion came from Dawson Creek to train as a teacher in Victoria. She moved in next door with 3 other beautiful young women. Dave hit the “jackpot” and fell hard for her. They married in 1956 and started their family.
Dave was a very skilled mechanic and had a successful career with BC Tel (Telus). He eventually got a promotion to Burnaby where he became part of the supervisory team in the mechanical department. The whole family moved to Port Moody.
543 Ailsa Avenue in Port Moody became Dave’s pride and joy. He worked tirelessly on the house and yard. It became the envy of the neighbourhood. Once his 4 daughters were no longer toddlers, Dave thoughtfully and strategically, had a swimming pool built in the backyard. This helped keep the daughters busy and happy at home and also served as the place to party in the summer.
Dad kept the pool in pristine condition and it kept many daughters (and their friends), cousins, granddaughters, grandsons, and great grandsons happily entertained in the summer months.
Mom and Dad had many opportunities to travel post-retirement.
But Dad’s true passions were, Mom, his “girls”, fixing cars and houses (mostly his “girls”). He loved working in the yard, walking his beloved dog Tawnie, and sitting peacefully, watching the ocean at one of his favorite spots, Rocky Point, Ambleside, or at the cabin they shared with Wendy and Cliff on Galiano Island.
We love you Dad and thank you for showing us the greatest gift and number one priority in life is family.
Your loving daughters, Wendy, Kerry, Susan and Shelley
Grandpa was there
As a boy and young man,
He was tough as the sea,
The nickname of Gwamp,
Was who he was known to be.
The man I knew,
Would enjoy watching the tide,
But I guess back then,
He was a man you’d want on your side.
I’ll always remember him a capable guy,
Always fixing things,
Tool chests filled with drawers,
Of nuts, bolts and o-rings.
He woke up early,
Drinking coffee and reading the paper,
He was quiet for Grandma,
As not to wake her.
The only breakfast I saw him consume,
Was our sleepover request,
Grandmas waffles and bacon,
She’d assemble at our behest.
He had His Spot at the table,
Sometimes messy to eat,
Roxy always the opportunist,
Patiently waiting at his feet.
The pool and yard you maintained,
The sweat, the blood, the tears,
Spilled to keep that up for us,
Over the years.
Us grandkids are so lucky,
For those memories we will keep,
Bocci around the lawn,
And from the diving board we’d leap.
I saw Grandpa a lot on Sundays,
Even if my soccer games were wet,
I’d be able to spot him,
Pacing behind the net.
He showed us support in these ways,
If our car was a piece of dump,
He’d answer the call,
And be there with a jump.
I told him I loved him,
With every goodbye,
He’d tug his ear and chuckle,
“That’s swell”, he’d reply.
We will miss him,
But I’ll see him in my boys,
Laughing at people on the dock,
Failing to launch their toys.
I’ll see him in the mountains,
Or out on a hike,
I’ll try to channel him,
When attempting to fix my kids bike.
Grandpa has passed,
Though we can feel him anywhere,
I grew up always knowing,
That my Grandpa was there.
I can picture you now,
On your bench beneath the tree,
Waiting for your bus we’d say,
Here it is, hop on, be free.
Lovingly written by Granddaughter, Erin Eva Benevoli
Our Dad, David Wright born March 25th, 1931 passed away peacefully July 1st 2023.
He was born in Victoria, BC to Archibald and Annie Wright. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marion, his brother, George (Betty), his sister Janet Benner, and four daughters, Wendy (Cliff), Kerry (George), Sue (Greg), and Shelley (Steve).
Dave’s childhood was spent in Vic West where, as the oldest son, he looked after the family when his father was away cooking on CPR ships.
He earned the nickname “Gwamp” for his reputation as a fierce protector of his family, friends and soccer teammates.
Dave spent many hours playing soccer and fishing with his best buddy, Ron Pearce. Their friendship continued long into their married lives.
Marion came from Dawson Creek to train as a teacher in Victoria. She moved in next door with 3 other beautiful young women. Dave hit the “jackpot” and fell hard for her. They married in 1956 and started their family.
Dave was a very skilled mechanic and had a successful career with BC Tel (Telus). He eventually got a promotion to Burnaby where he became part of the supervisory team in the mechanical department. The whole family moved to Port Moody.
543 Ailsa Avenue in Port Moody became Dave’s pride and joy. He worked tirelessly on the house and yard. It became the envy of the neighbourhood. Once his 4 daughters were no longer toddlers, Dave thoughtfully and strategically, had a swimming pool built in the backyard. This helped keep the daughters busy and happy at home and also served as the place to party in the summer.
Dad kept the pool in pristine condition and it kept many daughters (and their friends), cousins, granddaughters, grandsons, and great grandsons happily entertained in the summer months.
Mom and Dad had many opportunities to travel post-retirement.
But Dad’s true passions were, Mom, his “girls”, fixing cars and houses (mostly his “girls”). He loved working in the yard, walking his beloved dog Tawnie, and sitting peacefully, watching the ocean at one of his favorite spots, Rocky Point, Ambleside, or at the cabin they shared with Wendy and Cliff on Galiano Island.
We love you Dad and thank you for showing us the greatest gift and number one priority in life is family.
Your loving daughters, Wendy, Kerry, Susan and Shelley
As a boy and young man,
He was tough as the sea,
The nickname of Gwamp,
Was who he was known to be.
The man I knew,
Would enjoy watching the tide,
But I guess back then,
He was a man you’d want on your side.
I’ll always remember him a capable guy,
Always fixing things,
Tool chests filled with drawers,
Of nuts, bolts and o-rings.
He woke up early,
Drinking coffee and reading the paper,
He was quiet for Grandma,
As not to wake her.
The only breakfast I saw him consume,
Was our sleepover request,
Grandmas waffles and bacon,
She’d assemble at our behest.
He had His Spot at the table,
Sometimes messy to eat,
Roxy always the opportunist,
Patiently waiting at his feet.
The pool and yard you maintained,
The sweat, the blood, the tears,
Spilled to keep that up for us,
Over the years.
Us grandkids are so lucky,
For those memories we will keep,
Bocci around the lawn,
And from the diving board we’d leap.
I saw Grandpa a lot on Sundays,
Even if my soccer games were wet,
I’d be able to spot him,
Pacing behind the net.
He showed us support in these ways,
If our car was a piece of dump,
He’d answer the call,
And be there with a jump.
I told him I loved him,
With every goodbye,
He’d tug his ear and chuckle,
“That’s swell”, he’d reply.
We will miss him,
But I’ll see him in my boys,
Laughing at people on the dock,
Failing to launch their toys.
I’ll see him in the mountains,
Or out on a hike,
I’ll try to channel him,
When attempting to fix my kids bike.
Grandpa has passed,
Though we can feel him anywhere,
I grew up always knowing,
That my Grandpa was there.
I can picture you now,
On your bench beneath the tree,
Waiting for your bus we’d say,
Here it is, hop on, be free.
Lovingly written by Granddaughter, Erin Eva Benevoli