DAVID SHAW

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DAVID SHAW The son of David Shaw Sr. and Elizabeth, David was born in Bagot, MB on September 18, 1917. He had many treasured memories of his country boyhood and time spent with his three sisters, Grace, Maude and Irene. The early death of his father and the depression necessitated a move to Winnipeg in the early thirties. His mother died a few years later and from then on, with the assistance of his three sisters, Dave looked after himself. A capable student, he attended Daniel McIntyre High School, but like many of his time, left early to seek work. As for many young men in the thirties, jobs were scarce and he dabbled in everything from paper routes to cooking for the Marsh Phimister Band at Winnipeg Beach. He also worked on threshing crews on the farm of his sister and brother-in-law at Minto. By the early forties he was working as a milkman for the City Dairy. His very poor eyesight, which had prevented his acceptance for military service, also caused a career change when trucks replaced horse drawn milk wagons. Although accepting the inevitable modernization, Dave always felt that a horse was far more suitable than a truck for delivering a milkman back to the dairy on Boxing Day. It was during this time that he met his much-loved wife of 55 years, Gabrielle (nee Paul). They were married in June 1944. After the dairy he spent several happy years in the Eatons sporting goods department. In the mid-fifties he moved to the Birt Saddlery Company where he worked managing the luggage and handbag section until his retirement in the early eighties. In this day and age Dave would be regarded at a people person. He was happiest when sharing stories and had an innate ability to find something in common with people he met. He was very highly regarded for his fairness and personal integrity by salesreps and other individuals in the luggage and handbag business. One of his greatest accomplishments, of which he rarely spoke but of which family members took great pride, was a successful working life. Though legally blind, he never used his poor sight as an excuse. This combination of positive attitude and courage could be an example for any disabled person. Dave will be highly missed by his many friends and his immediate family Gordon, Frances, Nathaniel and Matthew as well as his much loved neighbors. A memorial reception was held on Wednesday, April 3 at 3:00 p.m. in the Chapel Lawn Reception Centre, 4000 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made in Daves memory to the C.N.I.B., 1080 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3G 9Z9. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 06, 2002