David Errol McKinley

            Dave was born on February 8, 1948 in Lenore, Manitoba, the youngest of 6 children.  Dave passed peacefully in his sleep on May 19, 2020.

            Dave is predeceased by his parents Victor and Sarah McKinley; brother John (Marilyn); sister Marion (Howard); nephews Malcom & Glen; niece Tricia and father-in-law Anthony Huculak.

            He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Pat; sons Sean and Robert (Debbie); grandson Jayson; sisters Verona Perkins, and Virginia Goodridge (Garnet); brother Bert (Nancy); mother-in-law Sylvia Huculak; sisters-in-law Carol Garrioch (Jerry) and Phyllis Huculak; brother-in-law Morris Huculak (Sally), many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and literally too many friends to count. 

            Dave was raised in Virden, MB and moved to Thompson, MB in 1965 where he became a life insurance salesman for Nalaco and an entrepreneur, most notably starting D & D Enterprises along with a close friend.

            After starting a family of his own with Pat, they returned to Virden, MB in 1973 where Dave was active as a volunteer firefighter, an avid Kinsmen (where he earned the lifetime member achievement award), and a successful realtor.

            In 1984, Dave and family moved to Gladstone where they owned & operated a grocery store until his retirement in 1997. During this time Dave made many close friends in the community that he loved & adopted as home. Not a man to just 'sit around', after retirement Dave kept busy trying out new jobs working at a cattle ranch, a short stint at Springhill Farms, driving truck for various potato farmers & finally working for the Town of Gladstone as supervisor of the nuisance grounds ('affectionately' known as the East End Mall), where his favourite thing to do was to help one cat in particular raise her kittens & screen the families he gave the kittens to.  It broke his heart when the cats were poisoned one winter along with his own special "Mama" cat. Dave loved all animals but especially his house cat Morty who misses him very much.

            He remained active in the community serving as a town councilor, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and creating a positive influence at the 'East End Mall". 

            Dave enjoyed camping, socializing, playing cards & games & travelling, having been to Europe, South America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, many states in U.S.A. and he loved spending winters in Palmetto, Florida. Affectionately called "Canadian Dave", good times were had with his friends at the Wild Turkey Tavern, Moose Lodge and Am Vets Post 301 where he became an honorary member and received awards for Volunteer of the Year two years in a row. Helping others has always been Dave's nature. 

Notable Quotes:

"Don't touch my stuff" - he respected that which he worked hard to get.

"Off that completely" - said when he wanted to change the subject.

Favorite Things:

- flashlights (estimated in the hundreds)

- gloves (too many to count) 

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