Obituary of DAVID HIRST

DAVID HIRST

June 1, 1945 – April 7, 2023

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts, our family announces the sudden passing of our beloved husband and father David Hirst with family by his side at the age of 77 on April 7, 2023 at the Health Sciences Centre.

Dave will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Shirley of 52 years, son Jeffrey Hirst, and daughter Debra (Derek) Grech. He also leaves brother-in-law Bernie DeLorme, and numerous relatives and friends in England, USA, and Canada. He was predeceased by his parents Albert and Rena Hirst and mother-in-law Anne DeLorme.

Dave was born on June 1, 1945 in Oldham, Lancashire, England, the only child of Albert and Rena Hirst. He was raised and educated in Shaw, a suburban village of Oldham. At Oldham Technical College, Dave became a Design Draftsman. He immigrated to Canada at age 23, where Winnipeg became his home in October 1968. In 1969 he joined The Winnipeg Canoe Club where he enjoyed playing tennis and at one of their dance socials, he met the love of his life, Shirley. They were married in June 1970 and their first home was on Valour Road, later moving to The Maples. Following the arrival of Jeff and later Debi, many happy years were spent together, especially the 39 years at the family cottage at Hillside Beach.

A caring, devoted, and incredible husband and father, Dave’s love for Shirley was never-ending and he was always there for Jeff and Debi whenever they needed him no matter what. Together with Shirley, he enjoyed the years when they watched Jeff play hockey and attended Debi’s dance recitals. He was so proud coaching both Jeff and Debi’s soccer teams and always looked forward to the many times he spent golfing and playing tennis with both of them.

Dave loved sports and always kept active, participating in soccer, tennis, badminton, bowling, curling, and golf. In recent years, he was a member of a senior men’s golf group where he played 18 holes and walked the entire course every week. From a young age he became a lifelong fan of Manchester United, and as a Winnipegger he loved watching both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Jets.

Dave had a 35-year career with Drummond McCall/Russel Metals working as a Product Manager in stainless and aluminum, and also in Outside Sales. He had a head for numbers, an old school work ethic, charisma, and the gift of gab that made him a true businessman. Following retiring in 2005, Dave and Shirley enjoyed spending a memorable month in England visiting with relatives and friends.

Dave’s passion for travel began at a young age with his parents, travelling throughout England and North Wales to seaside towns famous for its beaches. In his teens he toured Switzerland and spent beach holidays in Spain. Dave and Shirley loved to travel together, purchasing a tent trailer and enjoyed many road trips and camping at Falcon Lake and Grand Beach. They travelled extensively overseas to Belgium, Holland, France, Scotland, England, North Wales, and Switzerland. Through the years wonderful holidays were spent in Las Vegas, California, cruising the Mexican Riviera, the Rockies, and road trips to Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri to visit with cousins on the way to Branson. Since 2001, they loved their yearly winter getaways to Hawaii right up till 2020. Dave always enjoyed planning family holidays with Jeff and Debi as well, from the many road trips down south to Grand Forks and Minneapolis, and the road trips out west to Alberta and British Columbia, to visiting England in 1983, and especially going twice to Florida and Walt Disney World in 1986 and in 1996.

Shirley, Jeff, and Debi wish to thank everyone sincerely for their sympathy, prayers, love and support.

Thanks to the many doctors, nurses and staff in the ACCU at St. Boniface Hospital and MICU at the Health Sciences Centre.

A service to celebrate Dave’s life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street.

Private family interment will take place at a later date in Assumption Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Jeffrey Hirst, Derek Grech, Alan Novak, Rommel Vianzon, Marco Da Silva, Jose Sousa.

Donations in Dave’s memory may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or Diabetes Canada.

“Forever In Our Memories and Never Forgotten”