Obituary of David Akers

DAVID (Dave)  GEORGE AKERS January 5, 1947 – October 10, 2019

UPDATED with service information.

It is with profound sadness and grief that we announce the sudden passing of David George Akers at the age of 72 after a brief battle with cancer. Dave passed away with his best friend and wife, Violet (Vi), step-son Darren, his brothers, Wayne, Gary (Dawn), sister Lorraine (Doug), nephew Lonny(Rachel),  sister-in-law Pearl, by his side. Dave was born in Prince Albert on January 5, 1947 and passed away in  Victoria Hospital October 10, 2019.

Dave attended school at Queen Mary School and Riverside Collegiate, while summer holidays were spent at the family “shack tent” at Waskesiu.

Dave coached sandlot baseball teams for six years, played fastball for many years in the Sportsman Softball League and was presented with the Sportsman’s League All Star Catcher Award in 1973.

Dave’s first job was as messenger with CP Rail, then tractor-trailer driver with CN Rail where he earned  the Sask. Trucking Safety Council  Driving Award. From there he went on to become a chemical plant operator at Weyerhaeuser Canada for twenty five years until his retirement at the end of December 2005. A special memory, while employed with Weyerhaeuser, was  training in North Carolina for the start up of the new chemical plant as well as the start up itself.  Dave looked forward  to sleeping in past 4:00 a.m. once retired.

After a couple of  years of retirement, Dave became a Commissionaire on a casual basis for a few years.

Dave was an ardent bowler, enjoyed golf, had a “hole in one” at Kachur’s Golf Course,  fishing with family and friends in Prince Albert National Park, Waskesiu Lake, Heart Lakes, and Kingsmere Lake.

Dave was  a passionate major league baseball fan, his favourite was the American League and the Toronto Blue Jays.  He had a friendly family rivalry with his father who was a National League fan.   He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Prince Albert Branch as well as the Army & Navy Veterans Club. Dave volunteered countless hours for the Legion delivering poppies and wreaths for Remembrance Day, delivering cookies to veterans and served as Sergeant at Arms for several years presiding over many functions and veterans’  funerals.  Dave had also served in the Canadian Armed Forces (Militia) for several years. His rank on retirement from the Armed Forces was that of Gunner. Not surprisingly, Dave was amazingly knowledgeable on the history of the World Wars, his grandfathers and uncles all served during war time.

Dave and Vi made many  trips to the Dominican Republic during the winter months.  After retirement, winters were spent in southern California. Golfing and many “happy hours” were enjoyed with snowbird friends, Canadian and American. Dave enjoyed building models, mostly American aircraft carriers.  While in California he enjoyed a tour of the aircraft carrier “Midway” which is now a museum in San Diego Harbour, as well as a Hornblower tour of San Diego Harbour.

Dave was a reserved,  genuine person with integrity;  honest, consistent and with  uncompromisingly strong moral and ethical principles and values.

Dave was so special to me, kind, caring, considerate and gentle.   Friday afternoons, before his illness,  he would often ask if I wanted to go out somewhere, and “where would you like to go?” He  was my constant companion, friend and soul mate.

Dave will be forever missed by his wife and best friend Violet, step-son Darren (Heather) Vallee and their children Nathan, Brandon, Andrew, step-daughter Tammy Vallee and her children Kelsea, Zachary and Jorjia. Also left to mourn his passing is twin brother Wayne, his son Lonny (Rachel) Akers, their children, Faith and Braden, sister Lorraine (Douglas) Brassard, their children Shannon (Keith Durie) and Brent, his children, Brynn and Bauer,  and youngest brother Gary (Dawn) Akers, their children, Jessica, Michael and Chrystal (Brandon) Mayer, their children Drayden and Jackson,  sister-in-law Pearl Kora (Terry Caudle) and their furry friend Lady Dog.  He is also survived by aunts, cousins and extended families.

Dave was predeceased by his and Violet’s two children in infancy,  son Layne and daughter Heidi, his parents, Edward (Ted)  and Margaret (Peg) Akers, sister-in-law Ella Akers (Lonny’s mother), his father and mother in-law Alex  and Magdolene Kora, brother-in-law Alex Kora, Jr.  He was also predeceased by his grandparents, numerous aunts and uncles.

Memorial donations may be made to Rose Garden Hospice or Royal Canadian Legion 002.

Dave’s Celebration of life with reception and fellowship will be held September 25, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Prince Albert Royal Canadian Legion Lounge:  133 – 8 Street East, Prince Albert

In Loving Memory of My Dear Husband

David George Akers

When God was making husbands as far as I can see –

He made a special soul mate especially for me.

He made a perfect gentleman, compassionate and kind –

With more love and affection than you could ever wish to find.

He gave my darling husband a heart of solid gold –

He gave me wonderful memories only my heart can hold.

He was someone I could talk to that no one can replace –

He was someone I could laugh with till tears ran down my face.

Next time we meet will be at Heaven’s door –

When I see you standing there I won’t cry anymore.

I will put my arms around you and kiss your smiling face –

Then the pieces of my broken heart will fall back into place.