Obituary of David Milton POLL

August 18, 1948 – November 1, 2011 After a “very good life” spent gardening, camping, bird-watching, dancing, doing crossword puzzles, building projects, horseback riding, painting, enjoying country music, imbibing a good single malt, indulging his sweet tooth, playing with his grandkids, caring for Canada’s wild places and wildlife and working at being the best son, brother, husband, father, “poppy” and friend he could be, David passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family following a courageous and optimistic battle with cancer. David was fortunate to have had a career he loved and was happy to go to everyday. He graduated from NAIT with a diploma in Bioscience Technology and then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science, with honours, from the University of Alberta in 1983. David loved Canada and its wildlife and worked throughout his career to preserve and protect it, first with the Canadian Wildlife Service and later with Parks Canada where he finished his career as Western Regional Wildlife Biologist. David was proud to be instrumental in the creation of the Species at Risk legislation just before he retired. David was blessed to have a remarkable family he was proud of. Left to cherish his memory are his wife and partner of forty-one years, Carole; four children and their spouses, Kirsten (Dale), Maeghan (Jeff), Graeme (Lindsay) and Evan (Tasha); his eleven beloved grandchildren, Tyler, Jin, Vivian, Quinn, Freyja, Jocelyn, Thane, Aila, Kai, Kaiya and Lily; mother Norma; sisters Susan and Karen (Richard); sisters-in-law Linda (Laz) and Brend; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins, friends and colleagues. David joins his beloved grandfather David and his father Orval in his eternal rest. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. During his battle with cancer, David and his family were blessed with much love and support from his friends and extended family. His family would especially like to acknowledge the support of the Palliative Care team for Homecare, particularly his nurses Doreen and Norma and his caregiver Flora, and thank the staff of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre for their compassion and expertise, especially Drs. Wu and Pulowski. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Friends of the Bar U Ranch Association (www.friendsofthebaru.ca) or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Rd. N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2P5 Telephone: (403) 205-3966, email donorservices@cancer.ab.ca. When you think of David remember these lines from one of his favourite songs, “The Dance” by Garth Brooks: “I could have missed the pain but I’d of had to miss the dance.” In living memory of David Poll, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.