David Struthers

David Young Struthers passed away on September 3rd, 2014 at 1:20pm, peacefully, and surrounded by family. Dad was born on June 10th, 1933 in Scotland. He grew up during The War in the Scottish countryside, the third son of a school teacher and minister. Dad was educated at Glasgow University and went on to a teaching career that eventually spanned the globe; teaching in Scotland, Africa, Taiwan and Canada. Sweethearts since they were teens, he married Mary Ann (Moira), nee Miller on September 13th, 1957. Their young family: Graham, Andrew and Hazel, saw the world through Dads adventurous spirit. He brought us to Canada in 1974, first in Prince George, then settling after retirement in Victoria. Near the end, Dad was heard to say, I was a teacher but now I am a gardener. The evidence of that was clear anywhere he resided, as the landscape slowly transformed into a verdant paradise. Dad was also a thinker; he wrote stories, developed a reading and writing learning system, and designed a phonetic alphabet. Dad enjoyed painting landscapes and acting. He was the ultimate Handyman and gently led us through many home improvements. He was a devoted husband and caregiver to Mum in recent years. Sadly, illness struck, and took him from us. Thank you to the 6B South staff at VGH, who made his passing comfortable. Survived by his loving wife of 57 years, his three loving children, and his five loving grandchildren, Dad will be remembered for his boundless energy and humour, and we will all miss being drawn aside to discuss his next exciting project.