Obituary of David Arthur Laird

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Laird on August 9, 2023, in his home in Gimli, Manitoba, at the age of 63 years.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Debra Laird; his mother Joan Laird; daughter Carmen (Cliff) Blyth of Maple Creek, Saskatchewan; daughter Erika Laird of Okotoks, Alberta; daughter Alexis (Matt) Teske of Fort McMurray, Alberta; son David Laird of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan; grandchildren Trenton Blyth, Bryce Blyth, Alyssa Blyth, Elizabeth Teske and Olivia Teske; siblings James Laird (Mercy) of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Carol Forget of Melfort, Saskatchewan, Heather Sorenson of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; many nieces and nephews.

David was predeceased by his father, Read Laird

David was born on December 2, 1959, in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. He grew up on the family farm in the Scotsguard, Saskatchewan area and attended school in Shaunavon. He joined the army (Royal Canadian Regiment) at the age of 17 and was stationed at CFB Baden-Soellingen. David came home from Germany and studied Heavy Duty Mechanics while farming with his parents. After the sale of the family farm, David worked as a mechanic at the John Deere dealership in Shaunavon until he moved to Gimli, Manitoba to follow his dream of becoming a helicopter pilot in 2009/10. He worked for Prairie Helicopters Inc. for the rest of his life.  

David married Debra Gunderson Welgan on June 29, 1985, in Swift Current, Sasktachewan. They built a house on the family farm near Scotsguard, Saskatchewan, and lived there until 2007 when they moved to Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. In 2009, they moved to Gimli, Manitoba

David enjoyed football, baseball and hockey but visiting with family and friends and going to work came at the top of the list of favorite activities.

David served on a number of boards and committees over the years, including the Wheat Pool and the Frenchman River Valley Gospel Music Jamboree. He also served on Elders’ boards, led activities for men’s groups and ran the sound systems in the churches that he attended in Shaunavon and Gimli.

David cared about people and enjoyed helping neighbors and friends whenever possible. That was how he served the Lord. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren more than life itself.

David’s family would like to thank everyone who did so much for David while he struggled over the years with cancer – especially the owners and staff of Prairie Helicopters, Dr S.V. Patel and the staff of the chemo lab at Gimli Hospital, and David’s oncologists at Cancer Care Manitoba – Dr. Bashir Bashir and Dr. Czaykowski. They would also like to thank his friends, neighbors and church family who prayed, visited and brought meals during his final days. Special thanks to Pastors Richard and Judy Gilbert.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Bayview Evangelical Free Church, 8 Colonization Road in Gimli, Manitoba.

In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s memory can be made to the charity of your choice.