Obituary of Dexter Fungai Kanchense

March 12, 1986 – Mutare, Manicaland, Zimbabwe

May 11, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Dexter Kanchense of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at the age of 36 years.

Dexter was born in Mutare, Manicaland, Zimbabwe on March 12, 1986. He migrated to live in Omaha, Nebraska, USA with his mother in May of 2002, and moved to Canada in February of 2006. He graduated from the Mount Royal University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology in May of 2016.

Dexter accomplished much through his short life and was particularly proud of helping people in need, especially the vulnerable. He worked with vulnerable populations that included AIDS Calgary and the HIV-AIDS Prevention, Support and Care Services through the Women’s Health in Women’s Hands Program that is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. He volunteered with the Alberta Health Services Addictions and Substance Abuse program through the Sheldon Chumir Health Center in Calgary. Dexter’s most memorable vacation was when he visited Tofino, a seaside beach in Victoria, British Columbia (BC). He enjoyed surfing along the Pacific Coast in BC, a beach he visited several times.

Dexter had a passion for driving the county roads. He loved BMWs. At the time of his death, Dexter was driving his third BMW.

His family remember him for reminding his parents that their parents were poor. During his time in grade school, when his parents would not give him pocket money, citing that Dexter was lucky to have the kind of life that he was living, Dexter once said, “Its not my fault. Your parents were poor.”

Dexter is survived by his mother whom he often verbalized to friends and colleagues that he loved dearly, three brothers, Benjamin who lives in Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia, Shelton Rufaro Sisimai and Gerald Mulenga Kanchense, and two sisters-in-law, Nyasha Nyamatore Sisimai, Wadzanai Mudzongo Kanchense, a half-sister, Lulu Chansa Kanchense who lives with her children and husband in Luanda, Angola, in Africa, as well as a nephew, Asher Anaya Kanchense whom he adored. Shelton and Nyasha live in Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States of America, while Gerald, Wadzanai, and Asher live in Hinton, Alberta, Canada. Dexter is also survived by many cousins and friends.

Dexter was predeceased by his father, George Kasonde Kanchense Sr., and George Kasonde Kanchense Jr. Others who predeceased him were both his paternal grandparents who died in Zambia and his maternal grandfather who died in Zimbabwe.

Funeral Services were held at the McInnis & Holloway Fish Creek Chapel on Friday, June 3, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Dexter Kanchense, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.