Dave Ashley (1953 - 2017)

Hello Everyone,

Dave Ashley was my Dad's cousin and very much an uncle to my siblings and I. He died suddenly, and, I like to think, peacefully though we'll never know, on Friday of last week. I thought I would write a few words to mark his passing.

Dave was almost the stereotype of the burly, unkempt blue collar guy who was a big, socially awkward teddy bear inside. He worked for many years as a garbage man, both doing street pick up and then driving collection trucks to the depot outside the city. The term 'sanitation worker' is often used now for this type of work, but Dave wasn't the kind for euphemisms. His career, and that's what it was, is in a way a good metaphor for the man himself. It's not glamorous work, but is very valuable to society. Dave wasn't what you'd call 'suave', but he was a good man and had a good heart and that's far more valuable than the opposite.

Over the years I visited him and Joan, I enjoyed many evenings at the dinner table, chatting long after we had finished eating. We'd often have the TV on, watching the news or having sports in the background. He was a good conversationalist, with his staccato manner of talking, and had a wide variety of interests. He'd never force his opinion on anyone and was genuinely interested in what you had to say. Those are good memories.

One of my favourite memories though, dates a bit earlier. In 2000, when my friend Chris and I drove across the country in my parents' minivan, we spent a couple of days in Vancouver, both on the way to Tofino and on the way back. On one of these stays, we took our bikes and went around the city to see the sights. We were out all day in the hot summer sun, naturally we didn't bring any water, and had trouble finding our way back. By the time we did, we were tired and parched. It felt amazing just to sit in the cool basement to rest, but then Dave brought us both a can of cold malt liquor. Again, not fancy stuff, but to this day, I don't think I've ever had a better tasting beer.

Like his mom Joan, Dave was a gentle soul. He tread softly and valued family. I'm going to miss him.

wes