Obituary of David John Wilson

The family of David John Wilson is deeply saddened by his sudden passing on 4 July 2007. David was born in Calgary on November 6th, 1950, and after an odyssey of moves to Toronto and Regina with his family, he returned to his roots in Calgary where he began Grade 1 in Miss Chaw’s class at St. Anthony’s School. He graduated from Bishop Grandin in 1968, and then moved on to higher levels of achievement at the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta, where he earned a B. Sc. in Geology. It was shortly after his graduation that he embarked on a two week trip to South Africa. During the first week he became enchanted with Rosemary Amorim, a mysterious and beautiful young maiden, and his marriage to Rosemary extended his stay in South Africa by 20 years. David enjoyed a very successful career at Royal Dutch Shell’s coal division in Cape Town, and among his assignments were transfers to Gabarone, Botswana, and Shell’s UK office. He became proficient in Afrikaans, and the locals were always amazed at his mastery of the more colorful words, which, it was said, were much more effective with a Canadian accent. In 1992 David made the decision to move his family ‘home’ to Calgary, where he took up a senior position with Manalta Coal. He quickly became interested in the transportation issues affecting the Canadian Coal industry, and helped to make Canadian coal more cost competitive in the world market place. In 1998 he began his own consulting business, and had a number of international clients. When the energy boom materialized in 2004, David became a highly sought after well-site geologist, a challenge he was immersed in on the day he passed away. David was the best athlete in the Wilson family, avidly enjoying snow and water skiing, golfing and bird hunting. He was a very accomplished car mechanic. He devoted much of the last years of his life to helping his aging parents. David will be sorely missed by Rosemary, his bride of 33 years, and their two wonderful children Ryan and Clair. He is survived by his father Eric Donald, four brothers Ken (Stephanie), Paul (Audrey), Mike (Marsha), and Jim (Marilyn) Wilson and sister Clair (Jamie) Paulson. To his numerous nieces and nephews, Uncle C.B. would like to say ‘gotcha last’. He was predeceased by his mother Luella. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 – 24th Street S.W.) on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Catholic Church (10827 – 24th Street S.W.) on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. In living memory of David Wilson, 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.