David George Minaker February 2, 1960 – November 11, 2018

It is with great sadness our family announces David’s passing after a short, courageous battle with cancer. David was predeceased by his loving parents, Richard and Elaine Minaker on November 10, 1983. David is survived by his five siblings: Roderick, Brock (Sveta), Gordon, Erin (Allan) Askew, Sean (Linda) his many nieces and nephews, loving cousins and dear friends.

David was born in Vancouver, moving to Kamloops at the early age of 2. Although David was born with special needs, he marched right along with his brothers and sister following them to baseball and gymnastics and everything else. He attended Marion Schilling, Ralph Bell elementary and Valleyview Jr secondary schools all prior to the school system having education assistants in place. Mom worked tirelessly with David helping him reach significant goals with reading and writing. Dad helped keep a sense of humour which David so enjoyed and both were instrumental in helping David develop his engaging personality and his special way with people. Although David faced many challenges in his life, he always had a genuine interest in how others were doing, a very compassionate and forgiving soul. If you were lucky enough to know him, you would know how kind and gentle a person he was. He always greeted you with a warm, friendly smile and a cheerful hello and a genuine inquiry as to how you are. David’s memory of people and details was quite amazing, easily remembering many fun stories the rest of the family had long forgotten. David loved watching hockey games, movies, singing in the car, going for drives and watching deer but most of all spending time at the Lake with his family. A big thank you to David’s most recent caregiver Allan Price and his respite worker Nancy Dawn Ashberry Gullason. Thank you to Ken and his late wife Margarette Hynes who cared for David for many, many years, you all meant so much to David. Many thanks to the wonderful doctors, particularly Dr. Chale and Dr. Mah, nurses, Marie Jackson, social workers and other health care professionals who gave David wonderful care. David’s CLBC and Vista friends and support workers contributed greatly to David’s happiness and well being. David will live on in our hearts as he leaves us with so many fun memories and we’re pretty confident David would say to you all as he always did “ Thank you very much, I really appreciate it.” Special thanks to the staff and volunteers at the Marjorie Willoughby Snowden hospice where David spent his last days with his family by his side.

A celebration of Life will be held at Desert Gardens Community centre Wednesday, Nov 21 at 12:30 pm In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Association.

In Gods Arms now and in our hearts forever~ Amen

Condolences may be expressed at www.schoeningfuneralservice.com
 

• Date : 2018-11-16
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.