DAVID BROCKIE

David Brockie, 94, of Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Sunday, May 24, 2009 at his residence.
Dave was born Sept. 25, 1914 in Alexandria, Man., the son of John Brockie and Harriet Higgensen. He later apprenticed as a watchmaker in Portage la Prairie, Man.
Dave came to Fort Frances in February, 1938 to pitch baseball and worked at Gledhill’s Jewellery.
That year, Dave had the option of attending a professional baseball school in Hot Springs, Ark. or playing pitcher for the Fort Frances team—a very active club at that time.
Jack Cargill, a CNR employee at the Express office, knew of Dave’s ability and arranged a job for him as a clerk and watch repairman for George Gledhill, a jeweller on Mowat Avenue.
Dave never regretted his choice, continuing to live in Fort Frances ever since, enjoying Rainy Lake both summer and winter.
He was happiest when boating and showing others the beauty of the area.
Dave gained the reputation as an excellent pitcher, with one sportswriter stating in an article that “Brockie turned in nine innings of superb baseball.”
He was nicknamed “Diamond Dave” because diamonds were involved in both his sport and his business.
For severals years, Dave sponsored the Brockie’s baseball team from 1948-55, as well as juvenile hockey teams.
Dave joined the RCAF in 1940, serving until his discharge in 1945.
Dave met his wife, Mildred, daughter of Bruce and Belle Lloyd, in Fort Frances. They were married in Toronto in November, 1942 as Dave was en route to England, where he spent two years at Topcliffe, Yorkshire working on Halifax bombers with the RCAF.
Shortly after his return to Fort Frances after WWII, he purchased the jewellery business from Mr. Gledhill in 1947. The new business, Brockie’s Jewellers, was first on Mowat Avenue until, in 1962, it ws moved to the Lloyd Building at 255 Scott St.
Dave was joined at the new location by his son, Ted, a certified gemologist, and by Orla Thomassen as watchmaker.
Their official opening was held May 9, 1962. Clerks included Marlene Ervich, Elaine (Carpenter) Hogan, Ingrid (Martin) Gushulak, and Elsie (Macedon) Ward.
Dave was highly-respected in his business dealings, and for his kindness and thoughtfulness, and enjoyed his customers very much.
He retired in 1980, with Ted taking over the business.
Dave waas active in the Boy Scouts, both in Portage la Prairie and Fort Frances, as Scoutmaster and later as a member of the District Council of the Boy Scout Association.
He also was one of the charter members of the Fort Frances recreation commission, a member of the rink committee of that board, and he participated in the reorganization of senior hockey in Fort Frances.
Dave was a member of the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, receiving his 50-year pin in 2000.
He was an ardent supporter of the Kiwanis Sunny Cove Camp project. He also was a Sunday School teacher at the United Church and, earlier, at St. Andrew’s Church, he served on their board of managers.
As well, he was a member of the sportsmen’s club and the Canadian Wildlife Federation. He and his wife were founding members of the Fort Frances Museum, and they also supported the SOS Heritage Building Group.
Dave is survived by his wife, Mildred; son, Ted Brockie (Ruth) of Fort Frances, Ont.; daughter, Helen Moszynski (Richard) of Winnipeg, Man., five grandchildren, Lisa and Craig Brockie, Jennifer and Chris Moszynski, and Sherri Gackley; and three great-grandchildren, Skylar and Ronan Brockie, and Ryan Aptekmann.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 29, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances, with Rev. Barbara Miller officiating.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Fort Frances Sportsmen’s Club, P.P Box 272, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M6.