Obituary of David Woodcock

David Arthur Woodcock of Lethbridge, AB and formerly Lafleche, SK, passed away on April 20, 2015, at the age of 68 years. Dave was born at Hartney, MB on February 9, 1947. He was the first of four children born to Art and Elsie (nee Flynn) Woodcock. In 1953 the family moved to Lafleche, SK, and lived across from the United Church. While growing up Dave enjoyed playing sports, including hockey, basketball and volleyball. Dave spent one winter working with his uncle, Merrell Flynn, feeding cattle and helping with calving while he completed his final months of schooling in Glentworth, SK. After graduating, Dave worked at the TD Bank in Lafleche and the bank at Madison, SK. Dave then moved to Alberta and began working in the Rocky Mountains. His career took him to many places throughout Alberta, including Grande Cache, High River and Coaldale, were he worked on seismic pipelines, at strip coal mines, and for Public Works. Dave was proud to work in the mine and be a part of the mining community in Grande Cache. He also operated a back-hoe in the oil patch at Drumheller and also for a fibre optic phone line installation company. Dave appreciated nature and loved going for a drive to explore the country side. On these adventures he always had a country song playing on the radio and a dog by his side. Dave loved the south country and its rolling hills, the mountains, golden fields of wheat, and the yellow dotted line of the highway. One of his favorite drives to take was on the Going to the Sun Highway at Glacier National Park. Dave made many road trips to rodeo’s, where he loved to see the cowboys ride, tell stories, and make new friends. He always had a twinkle in his eye when he was telling a story, and his welcoming personality made it easy for him to make many friends. Dave had a tender heart, and a knack to make people smile. He was an avid hunter, and this was a pastime that he enjoyed with his friends. Dave liked to tinker and never quit on something that he believed in. He was also an avid Calgary Flames fan, and loved to cheer his team on. Dave married Debbie Ash of Glentworth on August 18, 1971, and they were blessed with three children, Marty, Stacey, and Jerri. Many family vacations were spent camping, and a favorite spot to go was at Belly River at Waterton National Park. It was on these camping trips that Dave was able to share his love of nature with his children, and taught them how to swing an ax and light a fire. They also made many trips to the United States, and no trip across the border was complete without a stop for a Payday candy bar, Hawkins Cheesies and Squirt. Nothing brought a quicker smile to Dave ’s face than his grandchildren. Dave loved to spent time with all of his grandchildren, and never said no to a request to spend time with them or to lend a hand. Each one of his grandchildren had a special place in his heart; Dave shared in their triumphs and stories, and loved their laughter and energy. Dave was a loving son, brother, grandfather, uncle, great uncle, and friend. Memories of Dave and his laughter, love and bright smile, will be cherished always. Dave is survived by his loving family, son Marty (Janice) Woodcock, granddaughters Aislyn and Danika; daughter Stacey Tennant, grandson Corbin; daughter Jerri (Jeremy) Barnes, granddaughters Tianna, Olivia, Sonia; mother Elsie (nee Flynn) Woodcock; sisters Doreen (Jack) Armstrong, Joyce (Harvey) Silzer; brother Bruce Woodcock (Rose Schulmeister). Predeceased by his father Art Woodcock (1996); son-in-law Scott Tennant (1999). Funeral Service was held on Monday, April 27, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at the Lafleche United Church, Lafleche, SK, with Reverend Linda Tomlinson-Seebach officiant. Special memories of Dave were shared by Joyce Silzer and Stacey Tennant. Urn bearer was Marty Woodcock. Honorary pallbearers were Merrett Spence, Bryan Tallon, Blair Curry, Dale Verbeke, Charlie Perigny, Dwayne Ash, Richard Westling and Dave McCuaig. Private family interment took place at the Lafleche Municipal Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Dave to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 2702 12th Ave., Regina, SK S4T 1J2 and the Lafleche United Church, c/o Dave Sproule, Box 64, Lafleche, SK S0H 2K0, were greatly appreciated.