We Remember
DOMBOWSKY, Samuel David
August 1, 1938 — November 9, 2016
David was born August 1, 1938 at Avonlea, Sask. and passed away November 9, 2016 in Kelowna, BC. He was the youngest of 17 children of Linus and Helena Dombowsky. David received his B. Comm. in 1958 from the U of S, followed by a Diploma in Public Administration from Carlton University in Ottawa.
He launched his varied and interesting career at the Sask Budget Bureau, was Deputy Minister for Finance and of Industry & Commerce. In 1975 he was named the first President & CEO of the fledgling Potash Corporation of Sask. He was also President of the Crown Investment Corp, and was a director of many boards including Saskferco, the Bi-provincial Upgrader, IPSCO, Intercontinental Packers, Western Development Museum, SEDCO, Sask Power, Crown Life and many more. He later formed a private marketing and consulting company, Matrix Enterprises Ltd focusing on mining and fertilizers. He was a 2 term member of the U of S Board of Governors.
David had great intellectual curiosity and an eclectic mind. He was quick witted, loved to learn and loved to laugh. He learned Spanish late in life. But he remained a humble guy, always putting others first. He enjoyed gardening and golfing and was a long-time Harvest member in Kelowna, and at his winter home in Palm Desert, Ca. David was well known for the beautiful rock walls he built at his homes in Saskatoon and Kelowna. They stand tribute to a remarkable man.
David leaves his loving wife of 38 ½ years, Linda Dunlop, daughters Sandy of Toronto, Janet Walbaum (Roger) of Regina, sons Greg of Vancouver, Chris of Drumheller, 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, several brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Feline Feliz will miss him too.
David’s family gives special thanks to Dr. Peter Butterworth and Palliative nurse Deanna Hammer for their excellent care.
A Memorial Service will be held for David at Springfield Funeral Home, Kelowna, BC at 10:00 am Friday, Nov 18, 2016.
A funeral mass and interment will take place at 1:30 pm Thursday Nov. 24, 2016 at St Joseph’s Parish Church, Claybank, Saskatchewan.
Next spring his family will honour David’s request to scatter some of his ashes on his beloved Avonlea Hills.
Memorial Donations may be made online or mailed to Prostate Cancer Canada, 2 Lombard St, 3rd Floor, Toronto, Ont. M5C 1M1; or BC SPCA, 1245 East 7th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 1R1 or a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
10:00 am Friday, Nov 18, 2016
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
Service Information
Service Details
The service for DOMBOWSKY, Samuel David is scheduled for 10:00 am Friday, Nov 18, 2016. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of David. My thoughts and prayers are with you Linda and your whole family.
Linda, we were sorry to hear about David. He fought a long and hard battle, and sometimes one just does not win.
We hope he is resting comfortably now.
We’re thinking of you and offer our deepest sympathy.
I had the privilege of sitting in on Davids briefings of the then premier BLAKENEY! As a kid from Estevan, what pride I felt that this kid from Avonlea brought such great talent to the table in the service of his fellow Saskatchewan citizens! A special time and a special person. My condolences.
He was a wonderful and remarkable person. My kindred spirit.
This is a picture is of my uncle David my mother and grandmother. The youngest of 17 children, my mother the 16th, you were her baby brother and I believe she always thought of you that way. My heart goes out to your (our!) huge family, your wife Linda , your “fur
babies” , daughters Sandy and Janet who I babysat as a teen. . I am certain I am missing more, forgive me if I have forgotten others who I know were equally precious to you. I will always remember the pony rides and silly games you played with me and how beautiful I was dressed as your flower girl so many moons ago. I remember the hoop skirt under the beautiful damask and how the lace though stunning itched like mad throughout! You commented on how beautiful light adopt and something like, “we pay a price for beauty Patty” and later when it was all over, adding
“Job well done.” Funny how silly little things like this stay with us decades later . Well my dearest uncle David I will love and miss you always. May you find peace beyond…
Linda:
Condolences from Lorraine and me on David’s passing. A special person who was warm, funny and smart—and a good golfer.
Rob
So sorry to learn of David’s passing. I knew him to be a very intelligent man. Full of energy and with a great love for life. It was a pleasure to work with him and to have earned his respect and trust.
I am sorry to hear of David’s passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you Linda and all your family. David worked at the Budget Bureau with my husband Roy and we shared many happy times as the small town boys made their mark in the Saskatchewan Government. David and I also shared being number 17 of our respective families.May he rest in God’s peace.
Rose Lloyd
David was my friend. A remarkable person with so many talents. His contributions to the province he loved were many. So sad to learn of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you Linda during this difficult time.
I first met David in the 70’s and was drawn to his vigor and intellect with all the tasks he undertook. At the time he was in Charge of Sedco in Regina. Our careers and paths took us in different directions however whilst not in daily contact we had an enduring friendship which lasted thru the years. My one regret is that I didn’t make the effort to visit in recent years and now I must revert to my memories of David. He was one of those individuals that was energetic, thoughtful and inspiring, his personality was outgoing and persuasive and as such a natural born leader. David had many duties and widespread involvement so even though our visits were infrequent our times together were just like a continuous experience. I will miss everything about him, he had the vigor of a lion and built walls to satiate his energy. But I can’t help but think of Linda who is left behind and who shared his remarkable journey over all these years and what a void it must leave for her. So our thoughts are especially focused on Linda in the times ahead hoping that all the great memories of all your adventures together will eventually replace the tears at such a personal loss. Terry and Joan
David was a remarkable man and always a joy to be with. He was intelligent, eclectic, highly accomplished and had a delightful sense of humor. You knew an event would be enjoyable if David was involved.
I learned much from this exceptional man and am so grateful I was able to express my thoughts to him before his passing. That he knew my regard for him means everything to me. Our family is the poorer for his loss.
Linda and family,
We are sorry to learn of David’s passing. He was a fabulous, positive man who always brought a smile to our faces and gave the impression that he knew how to get the most out of life. We will miss him.
Darcy Penkala and the staff of Creekside Dental Clinic
Dear Linda,
In the Saskatoon Days … You and David created a warmth and welcoming … a generosity of spirit that felt like Home …
May You be sustained by the support and comfort of family and friends across our global village …
May His Memory Be Eternal …
Hugs and Blessings …
I am sad to learn of David’s passing but glad to have so many happy memories. It is the memories of laughter, good food, wine, conversation, family, debate, learning, golf, pussy cats, rock walls, fruit, vegetables … and the list goes on. Yes, he had such a lively mind and a good heart. He made this world a better place. Linda, we can all appreciate that he has been a blessing to you and all who have known him. Warm wishes, Hugh
I had the privilege of getting to know David when I was a newly-arrived financial journalist in Regina and he was a stalwart bureaucrat tasked with launching the ground-breaking Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, where he was instrumental in making it a huge success. But I also remember his great sense of humour, his great loyalty to Saskatchewan and his integrity. He was a giant who will be missed. RIP.
Linda and family
I will always fondly remember David sharing his many wonderful stories with everyone at Christmas time as we all eagerly awaited the Christmas dinner. David was an honest, caring and passionate man, it was sincerely a privilege to have known and to have shared his company and I know he will be sorely missed by all that knew and loved him.
Linda, my deepest sympathy goes out to you and all of David’s family. I had the great pleasure of working for David 42 years ago at SEDCO. It was my first job coming out of university and I learned so much from him about good organizational leadership. After working under David’s inspirational leadership, all future bosses always fell short when measured against the best. Truly one of Saskatchewan’s best public servants, he was highly regarded and respected by politicians on all sides and everyone he worked with.
Dear Linda,
We were so very sorry to hear about David. We think about both of you fondly from when you were our neighbors in Saskatoon. We remember your beautiful perennial garden on Aird Street with its Koi pond and the best part of all–David’s wonderful stone wall. He was so talented and his creative expression inspired Ron so that now here in Calgary we have our own stone wall to remind us of David.
Our deepest sympathy to you Linda and all of David’s family during this very difficult time. We’re sorry not to have been able to attend the memorial in person. What a wonderful tribute. Our thoughts and hearts are with you.
Love,
Elena and Ron