It is with great sadness the family of David Elliot Gilchrist, announces his passing at HSN on Saturday February 27th, the age of 58. David was born in Elliot Lake, Ontario on June 9th, 1962 and raised in Sudbury, Ontario. David had a 23-year career with the Canadian Armed Forces as a Weapons Technician, retiring with the rank of Master Corporal. David had international postings, including Lahr, Germany and in Velika Kladusa, Bosnia Herzegovina. Canadian postings included Calgary, Petawawa, London, and Edmonton. David retired back to Manitoulin, eventually settling on the family farm where he was happiest. David enjoyed woodworking, working with tractors, puttering around the farm, and riding his motorcycle. David was active in the community, having served on the Central Manitoulin Fire Dept., the Prov Bay/ Spring Bay Lions Club, and was a member of the Doric Masonic Lodge #455, in Little Current. David was predeceased by his beloved parents, Gilbert & Donelda (Beange) Gilchrist, sisters Sharon Gilchrist Brown and Lorna Tremblay, and by brother-in-law, Roger Tremblay. Left to mourn the loss of David are his sisters, Sarah Bowerman (Merv), and Alma Sarazin (Gerry), his beloved and much dotted on nieces and nephews, Sam Gilchrist (Katie), Dexter Bowerman, Adam Brown, Alex Brown, Lana Tremblay (Mike), Blair Tremblay, Paxton Sarazin (Monique), and Preston Sarazin (Stephanie). Great Uncle of Gibson, Grayson, Ruby, Kyle (Courtney), Ben, Paul Jenna, and Elodie. David was a son, brother, uncle, Great Uncle, Great Great Uncle, brother-in-law, nephew, cousin, and friend, always willing to lend a hand, and will be sorely missed by many. At David’s request cremation has taken place. A Memorial for David will take place in the spring. If you would like to make a charitable donation in David’s name please forward a cheque payable to the Providence Bay Agricultural Society, 9236 Hwy 542, Spring Bay, Ontario P0P 2B0.
I am so sorry to hear about David’s passing. David was my first boyfriend, back in the 1980’s. We los my first boyfriend back in the mid -1980s, and we just recently reconnected on Facebook. I have good memories of many hiking and backpacking trips with him in the mountains. Even back then, David had a dream to return to Manatoulin Island to farm and I am so pleased that dream was fulfilled. My sincere condolences to his family; he left us much too soon.
July 18, 2021
What a Loss for your Family and Friends Dave. I will miss our chats and your sense of humour.
I hope your at Peace
March 28, 2021
Deepest condolences to Alma, Sarah, Sam and their families! He was always there for us when we needed help at the cottage, and it was our pleasure to have him stay for a meal and an evening of Euchre. Peter will miss your weekly texts and calls Dave. You have left a hole in our hearts as big as your spirit! Rest in Peace.
Peter & Cindy Nardangeli, Matthew & Stasia (Lyra, Paul), Marc & Joanna (Rae), Ashley & Cristian and Courtney (who will cherish her shelves even more!)
March 16, 2021
Dear Gilchrist Family,
May our Lord bless and comfort your family during this time of grief. I am honored and blessed to have known David as member of Doric Lodge No. 455, Little Current. A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven. David will live on in our memories forever. May the soul of David be at peace with our Heavenly Father. .’,
March 13, 2021
Dave and I met in Germany when we were serving in the Military. I have fond memories of skiing with him on the slopes of Grindelwald, Switzerland. We were later both posted to Petawawa, Ontario where he invited me to the Gilchrist Hunting Camp, one of the best experiences of my life. As fate would have it, we were later both posted to Edmonton and our friendship remained strong. We remained in contact after retirement and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his life on the farm whether it was about gardening, making maple syrup or raising chicks.
I have many fond memories of Dave that I will cherish forever.
Rest easy my friend and brother. Until we meet again.
March 5, 2021
Our deepest sympathies to Sara, Alma Sam & families–We wish we could take away the hurt the loss and the sadness of the sudden passing of David, we still cannot get our head around his passing. He was always available when a need arose re: Manitoulin cottage and we enjoyed his company and visits when we were at the cottage. He will be sadly missed.
Rest In Peace David, you left us all way too soon.
Love & hugs, Uncle Murray & Aunt Luba
March 4, 2021
Sincere condolences to friends and family. David was a unique, kind and generous friend whom one could depend on. We have many happy memories of the Gilchrist family and farm over the last 35 years, hunting, visiting and solving the world’s problems, as if we could. Gib was a trusted friend, as was David. Rest in peace, David. We will miss you greatly.
Simon Guillet and the Deer Week Gang: René, Rino, Ryan, Dan & Paul..
March 4, 2021
Missing your calls David and now you can R.I.P.
Aunt Marion Helm (Beange).
March 4, 2021
Rest In Peace cousin. Miss you
March 3, 2021
The community is missing a great man. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family! May God give them strength and comfort during this time.
March 3, 2021
Heartbroken to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a kind man and a good friend to my father.
March 3, 2021
My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dave. He was a gentle and kind soul and he will be dearly missed.
March 3, 2021
My sincere condolences to the family. I will never forget Dave’s humour. He was a good friend and will be missed.
Arte et Marte
March 2, 2021
My sincere condolences to Dave’s family and friends.
Arte et Marte
March 2, 2021
Sorry for your loss.
March 2, 2021
Dave will be missed by all who ever met him. Always willing to help others and had a kind word when it was needed. He touched many in the RCEME Corps and his brother and sisters will miss him dearly. My sincerest condolences to friends and family. He left us too soon. RIP Arte et Marte.
March 2, 2021
I wish to extend my condolences to all of Dave’s family and friends.
Rest in peace my EME brother, your watch is complete.
March 2, 2021
I wish to extend my sincere heartfelt condolences to his family, friends. Dave was known as the gentle giant. A man who gave sincere friendship, advice, and most of all brotherhood. You are dearly missed… May you Rest In Peace brother… Your watch is over, we got this.
Richard 😥
March 2, 2021
My sincere condolences to the family. Dave was a dear friend. I will miss his sense of humour. And thank you for the rhubarb patch Dave. ❤️
March 2, 2021
Condolences to his family and friends
March 2, 2021
Rest in peace, brother. For 40 years you were my friend and comrade in arms, I will never forget you and the adventures we had.
Till we meet again in Valhalla.
Arte et Marte
March 2, 2021
Rest easy brother,
Love ❤️ Sal
March 2, 2021