Obituary of FREEZE – David J.

1926 – 2010 David J. Freeze, a private Calgary citizen, passed away at the age of 84 having lived his entire life in Calgary. David will be dearly missed by his wife of thirty-two years, Annie, by his brothers, Bob (Audrey), Howard; his four children, Phillip, Janny, Paul, and Karen (Brian); his four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. David was predeceased by his parents, Frank Freeze, a long-time City of Calgary Alderman, and Clara May Freeze. David attended Western Canada High School, served in the Canadian Army, attended the University of Alberta and, in 1947, he joined his father’s company, Western Union Insurance of Calgary. From that time on, together with his father and then on his own, David operated the company until he sold it to the Dutch ING Group in 1987. In the following years, David managed his private companies and began a philanthropic program. At his direction, many of his gifts of substantial amounts of funds were facilitated through the Calgary Foundation. He endowed major medical research and scholarship programs at the University of Calgary. His keen interest in advancing medical technology was reflected in gifts to the Foothills Hospital which included Calgary’s first MRI and PET Scanners. As well, David reached out to Calgary’s underprivileged, giving regularly to the various capital funds and operating projects of the Mustard Seed, Meals on Wheels, Interfaith Food Bank, the Boys and Girls Club and other community agencies. It was Dave’s personal choice to carry out his philanthropic programs on an anonymous basis during his lifetime. Besides his interests in business, health care, education and the community, Dave had several hobbies. He loved to hike in the Rockies, ski, and fly. He owned and operated several aircraft and, at the age of 68, he obtained his helicopter license. He enjoyed helicopter flying to fly fishing destinations in Northern and Western Canada. The pedestrian bridge under the Crowfoot Bridge over the Bow River was another unique gift that sprung from his love of walking Calgary’s extensive path system along the River. At his request, Dave will be cremated and there will be no funeral service. You can shed tears that they are gone or you can smile because they have lived. You can close your eyes and pray that they’ll come back or you can open your eyes and see all they’ve left. Your heart can be empty because you can’t see them or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember them and only that they’re gone or you can cherish their memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your eyes, be empty and turn your back or you can do what they want: smile, open your eyes; love and go on. We will go on, but we will miss you Dave. You may forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of David Freeze, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.