We celebrate the life of David Carl Halvorsen, who was born on May 6, 1939 and passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2017. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a godfather, a cousin, an uncle, and a friend.
He was united in marriage to Janet, the love of his life, in 1963 and enjoyed 53 years making lasting memories with their two daughters, Meredith and Angela.
Dave was kind, caring, and friendly and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. This handsome man also loved like no other; his heart was big and he had room for everyone in it.
Being together was important to him but if you couldn’t make it, that’s OK . . . there was always next time–until now. Now we will miss these great things . . . his smile, his sparkling blue eyes, his wit, and his talent. Those blue eyes would twinkle as he let the one-liners fly!
Chevy trucks, racing, country music, fishing, and camping were some of his favourite things. He always was a willing participant to go fishing in the summer. Many weekends were spent on the lake, where he taught his girls to enjoy the sport of fishing, the love of nature, and how the world stopped whenever they saw any wildlife.
He was never in a rush, and always took time to stop and admire the scenery.
He loved to putter away at things-fixing stuff, gardening, and building projects, and he would spend hours on his John Deere tractor. He was a jack-of-all-trades and could fix anything. “Why pay someone when you can do it yourself?” he would say.
The good old hockey game always will bring the memories flooding back. From his girls sitting on his knee watching Saturday night hockey to sitting beside him this spring cheering on the last Canadian team left standing. He never missed a play or a game. Heck, he even watched old reruns . . . and when the grandkids started to play, he was their biggest fan.
Visiting, going out for dinner, and making people laugh were just a few of his favourite pastimes. He rarely missed a family gathering, especially the ones that included lefse and pickled herring. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage and all that it entailed.
Dave always looked after his family and spent more than 30 years as senior industrial electrician in the paper mill. He retired in 1997 and, soon after, started spending winters in Florida. He and Jan would go down every year and spend several months with their “Florida friends” while enjoying the weather, scenery, and all that the area had to offer.
Dave will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Janet, and his children, Meredith (Kevin) Croswell and Angela (Russell Gregoire) Halvorsen. He also leaves behind three grandchildren, Kelvin, Cameron, and Kailey Croswell.
He also is survived by his siblings, Donna (Leonard) Strom, Evelyn (Howard) Roen, Faye (Keith) McCready, Carol (Erwin) Pietila, Ron (Julie) Halvorsen, Ted (Debbie) Halvorsen, Ed (Laurel) Halvorsen, and Jim (Charlene) Halvorsen; sister-in-law, Lydia Fradsham; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, Carl and Lottie Halvorsen; brother, Gary Halvorsen; and an infant brother.
Please join us in celebrating his life on Friday, July 7, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Christian Reform Church in Emo, Ont., with Rev. Frances Flook presiding.
The honourary pallbearers will be Derald McCool, Sandy Haney, Garfield Faragher, Lennard Kraft, Dennis Livingston, and Brian Dent.
Dave left this world very suddenly and peacefully from an acute cerebrovascular accident (also known as a stroke) with his wife and daughters by his side. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Tamarack House c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.
DAVID CARL HALVORSEN
