Obituary for James David Pringle
Indestructible Dave left his final “job site” on Friday December 3, just a few minutes short of quitting time. He was 85 years old.
The Toughest Guy We Ever Knew was a scrapper, surviving a rough and tumble upbringing, wilderness living conditions on months-long job sites, catastrophic accidents, and health problems later in life. He never gave in, but when it was clear that he wasn’t going to beat cancer this time, he picked a time to die and willed it to happen. All three of his children were honoured to be at his side in his final days and hours.
He was proud to be a hard-working provider, leaving Zeballos at the age of 14 or 15 to join the full-time work force, building roads then becoming a diamond driller and miner in remote areas of western Canada, the far north, parts of the US, and even Australia.
After retirement he enjoyed travelling with mom throughout Canada, the US and Mexico, often in their RV. He also putzed about, taking odd jobs and McGyvering fixes for all sorts of things. Attending the car races at Deming and Skagit was a favourite way to spend summer weekends. Winter weekends found him watching hockey and telling the Canucks how to play better.
He could be a curmudgeon at times, but he did keep things interesting. He had a fantastic memory and always had a story or six to share.
He was pre-deceased last fall by Grace, his wife of 60 years, and earlier by two of his brothers, Ron and Jeff.
He is survived by his three children, Leslie (Terry), Rob (Maria), and Jo-Anne (Glen), and his five grandchildren, Kylie, Ben, Mark, Delaney and Angus.
Dave left behind his family forest of siblings; Ian, Merillee, Dixie, Tess, Jeff, Debbie and Steve. Various in-laws/out-laws, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and life-long friends are all part of the mix.
Many thanks to the team at Burnaby General Hospital for their comfort care. Cremation arrangements/online condolences by AffordableCremationandBurial.ca
Memorial donations may be made in Dave’s name to the Terry Fox Foundation.
As per Dad’s request we will have a good party at a later date.
The Toughest Guy We Ever Knew was a scrapper, surviving a rough and tumble upbringing, wilderness living conditions on months-long job sites, catastrophic accidents, and health problems later in life. He never gave in, but when it was clear that he wasn’t going to beat cancer this time, he picked a time to die and willed it to happen. All three of his children were honoured to be at his side in his final days and hours.
He was proud to be a hard-working provider, leaving Zeballos at the age of 14 or 15 to join the full-time work force, building roads then becoming a diamond driller and miner in remote areas of western Canada, the far north, parts of the US, and even Australia.
After retirement he enjoyed travelling with mom throughout Canada, the US and Mexico, often in their RV. He also putzed about, taking odd jobs and McGyvering fixes for all sorts of things. Attending the car races at Deming and Skagit was a favourite way to spend summer weekends. Winter weekends found him watching hockey and telling the Canucks how to play better.
He could be a curmudgeon at times, but he did keep things interesting. He had a fantastic memory and always had a story or six to share.
He was pre-deceased last fall by Grace, his wife of 60 years, and earlier by two of his brothers, Ron and Jeff.
He is survived by his three children, Leslie (Terry), Rob (Maria), and Jo-Anne (Glen), and his five grandchildren, Kylie, Ben, Mark, Delaney and Angus.
Dave left behind his family forest of siblings; Ian, Merillee, Dixie, Tess, Jeff, Debbie and Steve. Various in-laws/out-laws, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and life-long friends are all part of the mix.
Many thanks to the team at Burnaby General Hospital for their comfort care. Cremation arrangements/online condolences by AffordableCremationandBurial.ca
Memorial donations may be made in Dave’s name to the Terry Fox Foundation.
As per Dad’s request we will have a good party at a later date.