DAVID MARTIN ELDRIDGE, CD

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DAVID MARTIN ELDRIDGE, CD David Martin Eldridge (Mart) passed away from heart failure on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Poseidon Care Centre, with his son Roy at his side. His pain is finally gone. Born in Fredericton, NB, on June 29, 1925, to Roy and Mary Eldridge, Dave attended school in Fredericton and then St. John. He worked for two years at CPR prior to enlisting in the Army in 1944. He served in several bands in New Brunswick and Montreal until his discharge in 1946. He married Gladys Scott and they moved to Winnipeg where Dave was employed by Scofields and Coca Cola. In 1948 he reenlisted with the RCA band in Shilo. He served in the RCA and RCHA bands in Winnipeg. In 1962, he transferred to the Black Watch band in Gagetown, and was stationed in Soest, Germany and Montreal before returning to Winnipeg in 1969. Dave was in the Training/Air Command Band until his retirement from the Forces in 1975. He enjoyed the Army and the travel that took him across Saskatchewan, Northern Ontario, Europe and the Middle East. The highlight was travelling across Canada by train in 1967 with the Centennial Military Tattoo. He worked as a security officer for Bristol Aerospace until 1990. Never a car driver, he regularly rode his bicycle or took the bus to work. He learned piano and played the cornet with the Legion Boys Band in Fredericton and was a choir member at St. Paul's United Church. In Winnipeg, Dave was a member of the choirs of St. Andrew's Protestant and Charleswood United Church, often singing solo, and he later joined the Winnipeg Seniors Choir. He played the trumpet at the Remembrance Day service at the cenotaph for many years, and once served in a fanfare quartet on a stage with the Queen and Prince Philip. He was a member of the Legion for 63 years, and an honorary member of the War Amps. He enjoyed bowling, curling, a game of cards and bingo and loved his time spent at the Charleswood Lions Day Club. He coached hockey and baseball in Winnipeg, and both hockey and girls softball in Germany. Dave was a dedicated family man. From the time they were young, he would take his family to sporting events, swimming lessons, movies, bowling, picnics, the zoo and to the parks in Winnipeg. He continued this practice with his grandchildren, taking them out regularly on the bus for food and fun, and attending many of their activities. A gentle and friendly soul, he would seem to run into someone he knew every time he left the house. If he didn't meet someone he knew, he would always find someone to talk to. Dave was predeceased by his wife Gladys, his parents and brother Glendon, and son-in-law Mort. He is survived by son Roy and wife Debbie; grandsons, Matthew and fiancée Lisa, Mark and friend Hillary; daughters, Donna Morton and Heather (Steve) Hargreaves; granddaughters, Holly (Aaron) Robinson and Heidi (Ben) Page; great-granddaughters, Helena and Hilary Page; and grandson Sean Scott and friend Desha. We would like to thank the staff at Poseidon and especially those on the 4th floor for the care they provided. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 24, at 12:30 p.m. at Chapel Lawn, 4000 Portage Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Heart and Stroke Foundation, The Canadian Cancer Society or the Winnipeg Humane Society. Dad - Grandpa - GG - We love you so much. You were a big part of our lives and we will miss you. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 08, 2010