Thursday, November 14, 2024
November 14, 2024

HAGGART, David Richard

David Richard Haggart was born in Brockville, Ontario, on July 31, 1949, and grew up playing by the shores of the St. Lawrence River. After briefly studying journalism at Ryerson in Toronto, he headed north to Yellowknife in the early 1970s to work in the remote wilderness, forming lifelong bonds with the people and the land. David then moved to Chilliwack, BC, where he managed an apartment building, worked at a bookstore, played drums in an amateur blues band, and assisted his friend Abraham, a renowned Inuit carver.

In the 1990s, David helped form The Stray Dog Poetry Project, touring the Lower Mainland, giving readings, and producing chapbooks before he moved to Ganges, BC, where he lived for over twenty years. Although he suffered from severe depression, he kept writing poems, and in 2021, he released his collection A Curious Happiness in Small Things (Raven Chapbooks) with the help of his publisher and dear friend Diana Hayes.

David never shied away from talking about his personal challenges. After struggling with substance abuse, he joined AA in 1986 and was still sober when he died, having helped many others on their sobriety journeys. He was not a fan of small talk, preferring to connect on a deeper level, and while he could be gruff and didn’t suffer fools, he loved his friends and family fiercely and had a wicked sense of humour, a tender heart, and a formidable intellect. He was also okay-ish at cribbage.

David leaves behind his daughter, Rebecca, grandchildren Jake and Eden, former partner Janice, cousins Bob (Diane), Pat, Melissa, Jenny, and Rachel Haggart, Shelley and Stev’nn Hall, and countless beloved family members and friends.

The family offers tremendous gratitude to the nurses and staff at Lady Minto Hospital, the Island Health home support staff, and to Dr. Ron Reznick, Dr. David Montalbetti, Jean and Wendy, and Anastasia Williams for their compassionate care. Thank you to Murakami Gardens Community Housing for providing a safe and affordable home with wonderful neighbours for David in his last years. Thanks also to the Copper Kettle Community Partnership for their amazing work.

A memorial will be held in Ganges in early October, date and time to be announced.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

More obituaries

BAINE, Susan Catherine

Susan Catherine Baine passed away peacefully on Monday, October 7, 2024. Known for her laughter, sunshine, and joy, Sue created lasting connections for 20...

MELLOR, Donald George

Donald George Mellor, (Don) 81, dedicated partner, beloved brother, favorite uncle, great uncle, and friend, passed away suddenly September 9, 2024 due to a...

COOKE, Robert (Bob) William Joseph

Robert (Bob) William Joseph Cooke was born on August 2, 1940, in Edmonton to Gladys and Murray Cooke, the first son of a family...

COBHAM, Aubrey Eugene

 We are heartbroken to announce that Aubrey Cobham passed away in Hospital on Tuesday September 24th 2024. It is impossible to summarize what a...

Weather

Salt Spring Island
broken clouds
5.9 ° C
6.6 °
4.9 °
96 %
1.5kmh
75 %
Thu
9 °
Fri
7 °
Sat
5 °
Sun
5 °
Mon
6 °