BASKILL, David “Dave”

June 18, 1942 — March 4, 2022

David Baskill, formally of Kelowna, BC, passed away peacefully in Salmon Arm, BC on March 4, 2022, with his family at his side. David was predeceased by his parents Charles and Lena Baskill; his brother Robert Baskill; and his wife of over 50 years, Lavina Baskill. His family takes great comfort knowing that after a lengthy illness, David’s journey here is over, and he is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus.

David Baskill was born in High River, Alberta and moved to Calgary, AB at the age a ten, when the family began building their family home.

At the age of fourteen, Dave was considered a child prodigy on the Hawaiian Guitar (better known as the Steel Guitar). He got his big break to play and showcase his talents to play on the biggest Country Radio show of its day in North America. His teachers thought he had a brilliant future and should move to Nashville and work with Country Artists in recording studios. Sadly, prior to stepping on stage, Dave had a terrible bout of stage fright, and from that day forward only played for family on special occasions. It was a treat to hear him play!

A few years after moving to Calgary, Dave met his teenage sweetheart and first Love, Lavina Baskill who lived next door. Dave and Vi married in 1960.

Dave clerked at The Bay before starting a joint venture with his parents and opened the General Coffee Shop. As his family began to grow, in 1966, Dave took his electrical apprenticeship which eventually led to him and his wife running one of the most successful commercial electrical companies in Calgary for 26 years, after which they retired.

Dave was, and remained, a country boy at heart. He was happiest in his jeans, cowboy hat and boots, or shorts/pants and runners. In 1983, he and his family realized their dreams of owning a beautiful acreage in Davidsburg, AB. Later, build their dream home on a farm just south of Spruce Meadows, AB. He reignited his passion for motorcycles and became an active member of the Alberta Gold Wing Association. He, along with his brother Robert and sister-in-law, made many club rides throughout Alberta, BC, and the USA. It was a highlight for Dave to hop on his bike and just ride!

Davids’s passions included: camping, fishing, hanging with the cowboys behind the chutes at rodeos, attending his daughter’s horse shows (and later his granddaughter’s), riding horseback in the Rockies, canoe trips with his son down the Bow River, attending his youngest daughter’s baseball games, golf, dancing, reading, and his many activities at the South Calgary Baptist Church where he was baptized.

Dave was also a Southern Alberta Pioneer Descendant Member, and was exceptionally active with the association, riding in horse-drawn buggies with his wife and family members during the Calgary Stampede parade for years. He was proud of his pioneer history and spent years working with that association. He took great pride that his grandfather Charlie Lehr is celebrated in the High River History Books as a very famous chuck cook for the famous Bar U Ranch in Southern Alberta until the late 1800s.

In 1998, Dave and Vi sold their farm and bought a home in Gallagher’s Canyon Estates (in Kelowna, BC) so they could be closer to their family and grandchildren. He referred to the Okanagan as God’s Country, but always maintained that he missed the farm, his horses, dogs and kitties, along with the Alberta blue skies and life on the prairies. You can move the boy to a city and put a suit and tie on him, but his heart will always be country and his place of peace was always in the mountains, fly-fishing, spending time in the woods by a river, and sitting around a campfire with his family.

Shortly after arriving in Kelowna, Dave and Vi made their home with the Mission Creek Alliance Church. Dave took a part-time job at Rona in the electrical department, where he worked many years as a way of keeping busy. He was actively involved in bible studies, men’s prayer groups, and helping to set up and organize many church events and socials. Dave took it upon himself for over two decades to be the official volunteer to paint the church.

Following the passing of Vi, he married Maxine Phidherney-Baskill and for several years they had a wonderful marriage until they sadly parted ways in the summer of 2021.

Golf with his friends such as Bob Turlock and Dave Stone were some of his fondest times, along with his men’s prayer group and bible studies with his mate, Barry Madden.

Dave was loved by most everyone who ever met him. He was a tender soul, loved to spend time with people, and served God and family. Most of all, Dave was compassionate, and lived his life with love and integrity.

In the spring of 2021, Dave took incredibly sick, once released from the hospital (knowing he would never thrive in a nursing home) he moved to Tappen, BC. He was cared for by his daughter Cheryl, son-in-law Doug Dyck, and granddaughter Taryn. In his final months, Dave moved to a small farm in Salmon Arm, BC that he really loved. Shortly after moving, Dave took a turn for the worse and peacefully passed in Salmon Arm on March 4th.

David leaves behind his daughter Cheryl “Sherry” (Doug) Dyck of Salmon Arm; his son Dan (Bonnie) of Ft St John, BC; and his youngest daughter Cathy of Chestermere Lake, Alberta. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren; 17 amazing great-grandchildren; Maxine Pidherney- Baskill of Edmonton, Alberta; and the Baskill clan, which he had the pleasure of meeting in England.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kelowna SPCA, to honour his great love of all creatures great and small.

A Celebration of Life will be held on SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022, at 1:00 PM (PDT), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

LIVESTREAM:

https://vimeo.com/698346333

Service Details

The service for BASKILL, David “Dave” is scheduled for SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022, at 1:00 PM (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME

2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC

Phone:

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Special Requests:

None.

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