David died on May 25th in Victoria of cancer.
Born in Waterloo, Liverpool, England, the second son of Rene and Len Myerscough.
David’s entire childhood years were overshadowed by World War 2. He remembered the bombing of Liverpool in great detail.
Happily at Kindergarten, there appeared the lovely Francis Jean Kerr, who taught him how to tie his shoelaces. At age 16 yrs, David went to sea as a deck apprentice for four years with the Cunard White Star’s cargo fleet. During this time he was appointed as Midshipman, R.N.R. and served at his military service with the Royal Navy. Some years were spent running from Liverpool to the West Indies followed by experiencing the British and European coastal trade.
In the fullness of time Frances Jean and David became soul mates and married in 1960. They celebrated 54 wonderful years of marriage.
The adventurous spirit of David and Frances Jean led them to seek the unknown of immigration. In 1964, a coin flip was used to make the decision of whether to immigrate to Australia, or Canada. Australia won the flip and acceptance was achieved, however before embarking for Australia, an unexpected, timely letter from David’s childhood friend Geoff Hardacre who had just travelled to Vancouver arrived. Geoff insisted Vancouver and BC was the most beautiful place in the world, and Canada as a country equally amazing. A twist of fate and off to Canada they went. With their infant son Ian, they did a last second 180, and they arrived in Vancouver, where within a year, David began to work with the BC Ferries.
With their infant son Ian, they did a last second 180, and they arrived in Vancouver, where within a year, David began to work with the BC Ferries. A second son Richard was born in Vancouver, and then in 1966 they moved to Sidney, where they have remained ever since.
David spent many years with BC Ferries, finally retiring as Senior Captain of the Spirit of Vancouver Island, which vessel he delivered to her commissioning at the Cruise Ship Terminal in Vancouver, along with an outstanding crew.
David loved the sea and ships, a mariner through and through. He was always up for the challenge of adverse marine conditions.
Through his many years of experience he was well known for his magical shiphandling skills, complimented with a deep understanding marine weather and navigation. He gave the sea his utmost respect, while at the same time mastering how to use her force to his advantage.
David’s love of the sea also crossed over into his recreational pursuits. He was an avid sailor, pioneer windsurfer and fisherman. In the 1970’s, in Robert’s Bay, Sidney, if the wind was gale force, David would be first on the water performing spectacular “screaming reaches” across the bay. Most of these would result in spectacular catapult crashes. This was great entertainment for all, especially his two sons!
To deal with the cold water, at a time before commercially available water sport wetsuits, David designed and made his own suits, boots and gloves from mail order kits and scraps of neoprene from the local dive shops.
In the mid 1970’s with his wife Jean, David founded the Saanich Peninsula Sailing Association (SPSA) with a like minded group of family friends including the Philbrook’s, Bussey’s and Jesperson’s. It was these families that built the first public dingy enclosure, breakwater, and boat launch in Sidney. The current Tulista Boat Ramp and breakwater is built directly on top of original structure.
David was predeceased by his two brothers, John and Roger and in 2014 his wife Francis Jean.
He leaves behind sons Ian and Richard. Daughter in law Laurie Anne and grandchildren Scott, Becky, Reece and Ana. Nieces Katherine, Alison, and Sister-in-law Susan.
At David’s request there will be no service, there will be a family gathering at a later date to celebrate the lives of both Francis Jean and David.
David so much appreciated the incredible amount of support from all members of his family in every way.
A very special thanks to all the caring nurses and doctors of the Peninsula Health Unit, Royal Jubilee CCU and BCCA Dr. Fiorino and Dr. Akerman.
In lieu of flowers, David has requested donations to be made to the BC Cancer Foundation BC Priority Projects – donations can be made by calling 250-519-5550 or this link for www.conquercancer.ca/goto/myerscough