End of an Era - Goodbye Dad
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I don't normally share a digital glimpse into my real-world personal life, but this week has been the hardest I’ve endured in my 38 years on this planet. We lost my dad suddenly on a grey, wet, and gloomy afternoon, November 17th, 2024.
My father was diagnosed with stage-four stomach cancer after falling ill during our 2023 Christmas gathering. Since then, we’ve faced the mental struggle of preparing for the inevitable. But every day, Dad was determined to carry on as if everything was normal. His "old-man strength" kept him going, working on his projects and making sure his family was cared for.
This loss breaks my heart. I wish I’d had the chance to see him, to say goodbye, and to tell him I loved him one more time before his final journey. I love you so much, Dad, even though we rarely expressed our feelings. You will be missed every single damn day by me and everyone who knew you.
The one comfort I take from this tragedy is knowing that he passed away peacefully—not in a cold, unwelcoming hospital, but by the beautiful Mira River. The place where he spent much of his life fishing, hunting, boating, and living.
I'm attaching a copy of his obituary I've spent writing over the last few days, incase it disappears from the websites that will house the obituary. I will link those websites as they become available.
Obituaries
Original (Below) Forest Haven Obituary (External)
Video Montage
A 7 minute montage of some of Dad's favorite and proud moments throughout his lifetime.
David Gerard Lewis - Obituary
May 29th, 1954 to November 17th, 2024
It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Dave (Daddio) Lewis, 70 of Marion Bridge, Nova Scotia. Daddio has finally clocked out of his final shift and went to the big retirement in the sky where everything is free, the beer is chilled and the lakes are plentiful with fish. The government won't tax you there, Dad.
Born and raised in South Bar/Whitney Pier by Robert Lewis and Mary Lewis (LeBlanc), Dave was a private person and a fierce introvert but loved all the quality time he spent with his inner circles. His warm, wide smile sold his personality to everyone. Dave met and married Judy in their 20s, staying together for 39 years, and eventually bought 50+ acres of glorious land in tranquil Marion Bridge. It was here in God’s Country, as he called it, where they built their forever home, raised their three children, kept a few family dogs, and "vicious" roosters and hens over the years, all the while enjoying the evergreen-filled mountain.
From cradle to grave, Dave was a workaholic. He was strong as an ox, stubborn as a mule, saucy like a sailor, always acted like a "tough-guy", but had a golden heart which outweighed the earth's mass, albeit a little rough around the edges. He was a jack of all trades and was one of the smartest men we have ever had the privilege of knowing. He would always lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it, especially when it came to mechanical things. He dedicated most of his working life to the Sydney Steel Corporation (SYSCO) until its dissolving in 2001. After those many years, David spent his working years building homes for people and his own family members throughout Cape Breton Island. He never took shortcuts and always strived for perfection in all things he created, even when he was told by his superiors that it was "good enough". Which led to the creation of one of his catchphrases "It's good enough for the girl I go with". Which actually meant it was never good enough until it surpassed perfection.
He was a devoted husband, father, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Judith (MacLellan), and his children Matthew, Jillian, and Jarrett who all inherited various skills and traits, especially his stubbornness and dry humour. He is survived by his sisters, Vina (Michael) and Monica (Dave Kanchuck), who will deeply miss him. He is also predeceased by his brothers, Robert (Ann), Frankie (Ann), and Donnie, all of whom he loved and missed dearly. They are now reunited to drive Robert Sr. and Mary absolutely off the deep-end once again.
His hobbies included using and repairing sound equipment, collecting music and vinyl, off-roading, gardening, video games (Tetris and Dr. Mario) as well as thousands of partially finished projects, including but not limited to: his 1986 Jeep CJ, his fishing boat, his cabin, his collection of trucks and vans, his ATV, woodworking and who knows what else he had plotted in that large brain. He was an avid hockey fan, but did not really rely on any single team as they all let him down in one season or another. He loved the outdoors and always enjoyed partaking in hunting, fishing, kayaking, and camping. Just like his father before him, he had a thirst for knowledge which saw him spend countless hours on YouTube watching videos on a variety of topics. Always one to take things to the extreme, he still holds hard-copy printed TV service manuals from the 80s in his vast collection.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of David to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation in support of An Cala Unit. To donate, visit cbrhfoundation.ca, phone 902-567-7752, or mail 45 Weatherbee Road, Suite 209, Sydney, B1M 0A1.
Rest Easy, Daddio.
"Nobody listens to me, why doesn't nobody listen to me? I'm right."