DAVID LING

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DAVID LING

Dave passed away in relative comfort on June 25, 2024 at 80 years of age.

Dave is survived by his husband, Tim Preston; brother Peter and wife Ann; brother John and wife Carol; nephews Tim, Roger and Trevor, who is also Dave's godson; never forgetting his beloved Caseley cousins and their families, all in the UK. The Preston family diaspora all embraced and loved "superDave". Dave is also survived by his chosen family, Chris and Susan Garner and their son Scott and his family, wife Robin and children Rayanna and Cameron. He will be sorely missed by so many, including the "Cullen Crew": you know who you are! Other, dear friends and loved ones are grieving his passing. He loved you all. Dave was predeceased by his parents, Gladys and William Ling; the Garner's daughter Jennifer; and his niece Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Ann.

Dave was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England during the Second World War. His father was a carpenter at the "Mosquito" aircraft manufacturing and assembly plant in Luton. After the war, the Ling family moved back to their home town of Lowestoft, Suffolk, the easternmost point in the UK, where Dave was raised.

Dave attained his journeyman plumber ticket by age 20. Dave and Chris Garner met as fellow teenage apprentice plumbers and have remained lifelong brothers. Dave and Chris visited Canada during Expo 67 and it wasn't too long after their return to the UK that they decided to emigrate. Dave worked as a plumber throughout Canada until 1975, when he joined the Grace Hospital. In 1985, he was appointed as the Assistant Director of the Physical Plant at the Grace and in 1992, he became the Director, until his retirement in 2000.

The Garners embraced Dave as an integral member of their family. Dave always thought of Susan as the sister he never had. Over the years, Dave and the Garners shared many trips to the UK and throughout western Canada.

Dave and Tim met later in life in 2005. They married in 2007 and have enjoyed 19 years of true love and laughter.

Dave had many interests: jazz, theatre, hockey, baseball, cycling, current events, history, any form of public transportation, especially trains! Dave and Tim's 2022 train trip through Switzerland was a pure pleasure. Since 2018, Dave lived with prostate cancer, but that never stopped him from living life to the fullest, travelling the world and enjoying all that Winnipeg has to offer with Tim, but in November of 2023, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, which was ultimately untreatable. Yet, to the end, Dave continued to make wine, attend concerts, dine with friends and generally embrace every day.

Thanks to every one of you nurses at Health Sciences Centre Cancer Care, especially Dr. Brett Houston and Nurses Dawn Runke and Lisa King. Dave's journey was made so much more pleasant by you all. Thanks also to the Palliative Care Team at St. Boniface on Dave’s last day.

Everyone who knew Dave liked and respected him. He was thoughtful and wise, gentle and very witty! With characteristic humour, he recently shared this pearl of Lingwisdom: "No one was hurt in the living of my life, but if they were, they probably deserved it."

A Celebration of Dave's Life will take place sometime later in the year. Dave has been cremated according to his wish. Please donate to a charity of your choosing in his memory.

The family expresses gratitude to Ethical Death Care for their touching photo-biography video honouring Dave’s life, accessible through the "tributes" link at the bottom of this obituary.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Simple Cremation & Life Celebrations

204-421-5501

Tributes: EthicalDeathCare.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 29, 2024, Jun 29, 2024