David “Dave” Lovett passed away peacefully on Friday, December 30th at age 82 in Calgary, AB.

Dave is lovingly remembered as Dad to Kevin (Judy), Karen Lovett-Keith, Korry (Janine), Kolin, Lindsay (Kim) Doiron, and Kelly (Ray) Doiron. His seven grandchildren - Jennifer (Kenny) Pattingale, Whitney (David) Howe, Alex (Jordan) Lovett, Sarah Lovett, Aidan Doiron, Kaila Doiron, and Amy Leger - as well as his nine great-grandchildren - Jayden, Alexis, Kenleigh, Easton, Kaleb, Logan, Eli, Koven, and Kylie - all miss Gramps dearly.

Born to Algernon and Marion Lovett in Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 4, 1940, Dave was the oldest brother of 10 children. Also left to mourn are his siblings - Donn (Nora), Gary (Brenda), Peggy, Stephen (Jeanne), Terry, and Nancy (Darrell) Flemming - along with many nephews, nieces, and friends scattered across Canada.

Dave was predeceased by his loving wife, Mildred “Millie”; his parents, Algernon and Marion; his sisters, Patsy Ross and Sandy Rogers; his brother, Gerald; his son, Kenneth “Kenny”; and his first wife, Joan Lovett.

Military Career - Sergeant Lovett, CD 1957-1976 (Retired)

In 1957 at age 17, Dave joined the Canadian Armed Forces where he served as an Armoured Crewman and was a member of Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) until 1976. He was a member of two United Nations peacekeeping tours in Egypt from 1961-1962 and Cyprus in 1972, and he was posted to Germany on NATO deployment from 1965-1968.

RBC Career 1976-2004 (Retired)

Dave embarked on a second career in 1976 with RBC where he worked nights in the Data Center while he completed his GED during the day. He took on several roles within RBC’s Central Services department in Calgary. He eventually worked his way into the Telecom Manager role, where he spent several years driving between municipal and rural RBC Branches across Alberta and Saskatchewan implementing and supporting their communications equipment requirements, before retiring in 2004.

McMahon Stadium 1973-2019

For 46 years, Dave headed up the McMahon Stadium Security Crews at Stampeder Football Games, Calgary Boomers Soccer Games, Calgary Dino Football Games, the 88 Winter Olympics, and Concert Events. If you’ve ever been to an event at McMahon Stadium between 1973 and 2019, there is a high probability you’ve seen Dave on the field.

First Married Family Life 1959-1976

Dave and Joan were married in Bowness, Calgary in November 1959, and they travelled East to small town Forest Lawn, where they honeymooned at the Forest Lawn Hotel. Shortly thereafter, Dave was posted to Egypt on Peacekeeping duty while his first son was born; Kevin’s first look at his father was at 11 months old in 1962. Once Dave and Joan built their family of five (Kevin, Kenny, and Karen), they were posted to Germany on NATO Duty from 1965 to 1968, and then in 1970, their third son (Korry) was born during their posting at CFB Borden near Barrie, Ontario. In 1971, the family of six was stationed in Calgary, AB where they added their fourth and final son (Kolin) to their Lovett family three years later. When Dave retired from the military in 1976, he and Joan parted ways, and he moved his five army brats from the Currie PMQs to the Forest Lawn area where he took on civilian life as a single father.

Blended Family Life 1977-2022

It was at the RBC Data Center night job in 1977 where Dave met Millie, and within a few months, she and her teenage daughter (Kelly), son (Lindsay), dog (Skippy), and two cats (Tuffy and Patches) moved into Dave’s rental where he was raising his five children (ages two through sixteen) as a single dad with a dog (Prince) of their own. They were married in December 1977 and lived and worked in Calgary. On the weekends they loved to go on road trips. In 1983, Dave and Millie traveled to Kootenay Lake BC, where they stumbled upon Cummings Resort. This was their weekend getaway until one afternoon, in 1985, when they drove a few kilometers north of the resort just to see what else was around there. That was when they discovered their beloved Boswell Community and the forever second home they eventually retired to after years of weekend travelling between Calgary and Boswell.

Dave was predeceased by many well-loved family dogs, and he leaves to mourn his beloved dogs, Kopper and Blake. It's no secret Dave had a love for all animals. Although he spent a lot of time hunting, he didn’t hunt for the sport. He hunted to spend valued time with his sons and grandson. Dave played recreational hockey well into his 50s, and he enjoyed gardening, nurturing and harvesting his fruit trees, golfing, fishing, and visiting with neighbors in Boswell and Airdrie. In 1987, Dave’s youngest brother Terry began travelling to Boswell from Halifax annually, bringing lobsters and haddock to the people on Boswell Hill. For 35 years, Dave and his family hosted annual fun-filled lobster boil and fish fry events for their cherished Boswell neighbours and friends. Dave always found it easy to build treasured friendships along the road he called life. He was a real thinker and will always be fondly remembered as the guy who knows a guy or gal that can help with that if he couldn’t help you himself.

Dave’s family thanks the incredible team of Doctors and Nurses at Tom Baker Cancer Centre, with a special heartfelt thank you to Dave’s family physician, Dr. Angela Coleman, for working with love and compassion to keep him comfortable through his final months at home in Airdrie. To Veteran’s Affairs Canada, Airdrie Palliative Home Care Team, and the staff at Dulcina Hospice in Calgary; thank you for all of your kind and caring support.

A Celebration of Dave’s life will be held at 11:30 AM on Saturday, March 4th, 2023, at the Royal Canadian Legion – Centennial Branch #285, 9202 Horton Road SW Calgary Alberta, (403) 255-5772. The venue room is the Walcheren Causeway Auditorium. Since March 4th would have been Dave’s 83rd birthday, there will be cake. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dave's memory to a Children's Hospital of your choice.

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