David Westelmajer

David/Dad/Pah Pah was born in London, England in the summer of 1949. His parents were WWII survivors each with their own stories - Ruth, a German-born Jew who escaped the Holocaust on a wing and a prayer and Nick, a Yugoslavian POW who fortuitously ended up in England at the same time as Ruth's family. David was 2 years old when the family immigrated to Canada where their last name was anglicized to the now infamous "Westelmajer", the only one in the phone book. A sister, Rosemary, was born 5 years later in London as well. David and his mother went “back over the pond” on the Queen Mary when he was five and stayed for some months. That’s where his love of travel began!!

David spent many a summer swimming, sailing, and fishing in Georgian Bay at their island cottage and the school years fitting in with the ever-shifting cliques of the 1950's-60's. At one point growing up David was a jock, a greaser (with cigarettes rolled up in the sleeve of his white T-shirt), and a long-haired hippie. And he went where the wind blew. Then he met Jane.

David met Jane at the Roxy theatre in Toronto when she was there with his friend, Michael (who remains a dear friend to this day) and was immediately captivated by her smile and her orange felted cloche hat. Jane's father, however, was not so equally captivated by David – largely because of his shaggy appearance and lack of a "real job". Despite parental hesitancy, David and Jane's love continued to grow and they were married in the fall of 1975. A baby girl named Chloe Lynde followed (very) shortly thereafter. Around about this time David also discovered the process and art of stained glass – by answering an ad in the local paper. At first, David's work in the stained-glass studio was a means of (barely) paying the bills but as the years went on his connection with glass, lead, and solder would become a defining feature.

The family of 3 moved to the Wild West of Calgary in 1979 and added another baby girl - Sarah Kate - to the mix. And a third one - Meghan Elizabeth- followed shortly thereafter. At a time when gender roles in relationships were just starting to shift, David became a trailblazer as a stay at home dad for his 3 darling daughters. Something he wouldn't have traded for the world. As the girls grew up, David went back to school to complete a bachelor's degree in Education – becoming one of the most sought-after substitute teachers in the Calgary French immersion school system.

It was through signing the girls up for pottery classes that David discovered "the wheel". The pottery wheel that is. And soon, David was finding any excuse to spend as many evenings and weekends as he could at North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre. Throwing everything from plates and platters to vases and cups – most of which he gifted to others. Today many people have plates, bowls, cups, etc. made by Mr. Westelmajer. Even though teaching was a "real job", and one that David was really good at, his true calling was art - with glass and "mud" being his mediums of choice.

But overall, David had one clear objective in mind: move to Vancouver Island and live in a place with a view of the ocean. On these two parameters he would not be moved. He and Jane spent many years exploring the island and its communities - eventually finding the perfect spot in Metchosin, lovingly referred to as "Graceland". Unfortunately, retirement plans were postponed as a result of David's cancer diagnoses – a disease he tirelessly fought for 5 years before amazingly achieving cancer-free status in 2017. David and Jane were then able to make a permanent move to Metchosin in 2020.

Each of his girls ended up choosing a life partner and 3 sons-in-law were added to the family dynamic - Adam, Todd, and Dave (finally some men to balance the scales!). Two grandchildren – Clarabel Ruth and Everett John – were the result and quickly became the absolute apples of his eye. This is when Pah Pah was born - because he was too cool for “grandfather”. And true to form, David was the best Pah Pah a kid could ask for. Always up for a book, a game, making play doh, a round of badminton, or a trip to the beach.

David left this world peacefully in the evening of Tuesday June 20th. He will be incredibly missed by everyone who's had the chance to know and love him. David is a truly beautiful soul. Sweet, loving, gentle, and creative. Jane called him “the wind beneath her wings”. The world is a lesser place with him no longer in it. We love you to the moon and back Dad!

If you wish to donate in David's memory, consider the ArtPod in Metchosin (where he was an active member), CKUA Radio Station Foundation in Alberta (David's favorite music station), UNICEF , Canadian Cancer Society , or Doctors without Borders .
These were his chosen favourite charities.

For those who are able, please also consider donating blood and/or plasma through Canadian Blood Services . David received over 22 units of blood while in the ICU, so we are doing what we can to refill the bank! Please reach out to a member of the family if you would like support with making an appointment to donate.