St. Denis, David

David St. Denis was born on Oct. 22, 1950 in Prince Rupert. He ended his life’s journey on Jan. 5, 2023 in Nelson, B.C., the community where he and his wife Sandra chose to put down roots.

Dave was a self-taught carpenter and handyman who made his own back-to-the land cabin in Nakusp in the 1970s. His attempt to make honey and keep chickens in the woods did not survive the bears or coyotes.

Dave valued working to live, not living to work, and over the years he worked as short-order cook, sawmill worker, meat packer, nurse and caregiver. But he saw his primary role as being husband to his beloved wife Sandy and father to his three daughters. Dave was an ever-present father, and later grandfather, who loved teaching and helping us and making us laugh.

After stints in Red Deer, Alberta and Creston, B.C., Dave and Sandy moved to Nelson in 1988. With unbridled enthusiasm and no small degree of recklessness, Dave embraced skiing and hiking. For many years, he volunteered at Whitewater as a ski tour guide in a canny scheme to spend as much time on the mountain as he could.

Dave loved being part of Nelson’s community, whether as a volunteer at the Capitol Theatre, a board member of the Nelson Choral Society or a member of the Pulpit Rock Society, and he was particularly proud of helping to create Lyon’s Bluff Trail. 

Through the ups and downs of cancer treatments, Dave and Sandy were supported by a close circle of friends whose kindness is so much appreciated.

Dave is survived by his wife Sandy, daughters Jennifer, Michelle and Laura, and grandchildren Lazarus, Violet, James, Liam, David and Riley Francis.

Donations can be made in Dave’s memory to the Pulpit Rock Society at pulpitrock.ca