David Harold WATKINS

It is with great sadness that we need to notify of the passing of Mr. David Harold Watkins. David (Dave) passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit of the Nanaimo General Hospital on the morning of December 24, 2019 after a lengthy and valiant battle with Cancer.  He was 72 years old. Our sincere and heartfelt thanks goes out to the physicians and staff at the Nanaimo General Hospital's Palliative Care Unit for all of their care and attention paid to our loved one during his time of need.

Born on May 6, 1947, Dave spent his formative years in the interior of British Columbia.  As a young man he met and married Sylvia Watkins (nee DeRosa) from Trail, B.C. and raised 4 children together; Son: Len Watkins (Spouse Barb Watkins; Granddaughters Charlene Watkins, Carlina and Samantha Watkins (Grandson Ryder); Daughter: Vanessa Mathieson (Spouse Grady Mathieson); Son: Nathan Watkins (Grandsons Alejandro and Leonardo Watkins); Daughter: Angela Watkins (Granddaughter Bryanna Urton). He is survived by his two sisters Teresa Shaw (Spouse Alan Shaw; Neice Melissa Shaw and Nephew Jason Shaw) and Janet Boothman (Neice Devawn Boothman and Nephew Tant Boothman); Aunties Phyllis Donnelly (and family) and Doreen Murphy (and family) and numerous relatives over in England. Dave was predeceased by his parents Harold and Doreen Watkins. Dave is also survived by his best friends in the whole world, Sandy Milton and Barb Best (Jack Brown, Linsey McClure, Morgan McClure and Kobe Padlosky).

One of Dave's greatest joys and accomplishments in his life, besides all of the love and support that he gave to his family and friends, was running his Ford Dealership in Grand Forks B.C.  Sales and vehicles were ever in Dave's heart and soul and he was so very proud to serve his community right up until the end.  He spent his younger years in the Trail/Christina Lake/Grand Forks B.C. area until he moved with his family to Vancouver Island in 1984.  It is here that Dave found his other love - driving around Vancouver Island every day that he could.  Dave and Sylvia opened up a small restaurant in Rutherford Mall called the MMM Sandwich Bar and ran it successfully for over 15 years - of this they were very proud. Dave was also a strong worker during this time in the Nanaimo area within the car sales industry.  Ever the consummate sales person Dave was well known around town for his sales expertise, enthusiasm and customer service. Together, they raised four children and Dave continued to live on Vancouver Island for the rest of his life.  He took great joy driving around his beloved island each day and found great happiness in hanging out with his best friends Sandy Milton and Barb Best.

He was always taking people in need under his wing and will be remembered for this trait always!  Dave was a loving and generous man and he had a wicked sense of humour.  He will also always be remembered for his ever present quick wit and his off beat jokes!

Dave's cousin, Craig Murphy shared a tale with the family after Dave's passing that sums up what he believes that Dave was up to at the Pearly Gates. "As I thought about Dave going up to heaven, I pictured him around the corner from the Pearly Gates before going in to see St. Peter, he was probably finishing off his smoke, (as he wouldn't have needed to worry about the bad effects of smoking at that point...note: he'd long since quit smoking within the earthly realm) then preparing himself for his next "deal" by tucking in his white dress shirt into his dark dress pants. Once presentable again, Dave would be slicking back his headful of dark hair as he went up to St. Peter and asked if he could be God's new driver."

We would all like to believe that Dave, the Patriarch of our Family, is now hanging out with his beloved cousin Trevor who died tragically in a plane crash is his formative years and is hopefully, making up for much lost time while he was here on earth.  We all sorely miss his presence each and every day and may his soul eternally rest in peace.

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