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DAVID WALTER CHAMPION
Date of Passing: Oct 26, 2020
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or Memory
DAVID WALTER CHAMPION
David was a wonderful man that was loved, is missed and will always be cherished. Our "Pop-Pop" as he liked to be called by his grandchildren, "Dave", as he was called by his wife Anne, was an amazing husband, dad, brother and a believer in living life to the fullest.
David left us while holding his wife Anne's hand sleeping peacefully in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He was in his 84th year. He is the beloved father of Wendy and Bruce, proud grandfather (Pop-Pop) of Jeff, and Madelaine (Joseph) and a brother to his sister Mary.
He was predeceased by his parents, Walter and Eleanor; sister Susan and son Bruce.
In 1958, David married his soulmate Anne, and they started a family, and as a family they loved the outdoors especially Manitoba winters where weekends were always an "adventure" cross country skiing or skating around the province. Dad loved being outside and kept his family busy by always having an activity planned. He certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family and making sure they were loved and taken care of.
David's family and friends knew him as a kind and mild-mannered man, a lover of racehorses, an avid movie goer, and a hopeless romantic to the love of his life his wife, Anne the woman he married 62 years ago. He always had the right outfit for any occasion and the right thing to say (even if it was wildly inappropriate.) "Champ" was known for his entertaining facts and stories which he loved to share.
Champ started in the grain industry when he was 17 and when he retired at the age of 76, he was one of the last of the old-style International grain traders who knew his customers, but more importantly they knew and trusted him. His reputation as an honest and knowledgeable trader was known around the industry.
Dad lived 1000 years in the 84 calendar years we had with him because he attacked life; he grabbed it by the lapels, kissed it, and swung it back onto the dance floor. He lived every day to the fullest and if you said he couldn't do it; he would make sure he could.
He was a rare combination of someone who had a love of life and a firm understanding of what was important - the simplicity of living a life with those you love.
His acute awareness of the importance of a life lived with the ones you love over any material possession was only handicapped by his territorial attachment to the remote control of his weather station channel.
Dad enjoyed wearing costumes, a good game of shuffleboard, and mashed potatoes with lots of butter. He loved going to watch his race horses at the Assiniboine Downs, eating at Earl's every week and when the grandchildren were in town heading over to D-Jay's to eat free popcorn, watch the games and share a jug of beer.
He excelled at growing roses, planning yearly English trips, handicapping the races, eradicating weeds from his driveway, whistling, bursting into random song, living within his means, outsmarting squirrels, cheering on his Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers, and reading any book he could get his hands on.
Dad was a very clever man and could be introspective at times when there were serious decisions to be made. He never made rash decisions but thought long and hard before giving us advice - sound advice that has helped to shape my life profoundly. He was always saying that "life is too short, and you must go out into the world and experience its beauty and explore".
The family would like to thank the Golden West Centennial Home for the loving, caring and compassionate care they provided to David.
A private family memorial will be held, and we ask that in lieu of flowers and in spite of individual differences, kindness is something everyone has to give. Dave would ask that you take a moment to do something nice for someone else solely for the sake of making them smile and place a two dollar bet on the grey.
Dad: Your love, your patience, your
understanding, your wisdom and your
amazing sense of humour will live on
inside us forever. You have given us
gifts that are more precious than
anything in this world. Goodbye, Dad.
You will always live on in my heart.
Condolences may be sent to
www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2020
Condolences & Memories (11 entries)
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I was afraid this would happen. Anne, Wendy and family, I send you my sincere, deep condolences. Way back in the 1970s he was a remarkable student in my evening classes at the University of Winnipeg, a mature contributor of his knowledge and experience and example to his younger classmates. David never forgot me; for many years - until last year - he shared daily important economic news with me, and for that I am very grateful to him. - Posted by: Sylvester Damus (Friend) on: Dec 20, 2020
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Anne and family - So sorry to learn of Dave's passing. He will be missed. Loved the way you two would dress up and especially the hats for special occasions at the track. My deepest sympathies. - Posted by: Geraldine McLean (friend) on: Dec 12, 2020
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Ann we are so sad for your loss as we know you will miss your life partner and the life and adventures you have shared all these years. I have so many wonderful and fond memories of my years with Dave. He was a mentor and a friend and an amazing human being to be around and watch his interactions with so many people from around the world. I was telling Alex a story last night about walking into Dave's office one day and he was leaning way back on his chair. He leaned a little too far and fell back and was quite put out that I was almost laying on the floor laughing. But you could do that with Dave. You could always just be yourself just as he was always himself. Anyone who worked with him will smile as they remember his lime green pants and his Kiss my Shillelagh sign on his jacket! I also remember the year he claimed he could no longer find those pants and he was sure his loving wife had given them away to charity! Or the lunches we would go on and Dave would drive out to show me the spring crocuses just because he knew I loved them. Take comfort in your family. These are different times we are living in and it is hard to know that we can’t come to Winnipeg and celebrate Dave's life with you. Once in your life you are lucky enough to meet and be friends with someone who has a profound impact on your life and Dave was that person for me. - Posted by: Lorraine Steve and Alex Idt (Friends) on: Nov 21, 2020
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Sorry to here about Dave, Ann. Just heard about Dave today. What a wonderful obituary. Learned things about Dave I didn’t know. Hadn’t seen either of you for awhile, but have great memories of both of you at aerobics. Dave was always so upbeat and generous when I was collecting money for our many gifts😊And then there’s the great Halloween costumes you always sewed Ann. My sympathies go out to you and your family. God bless🌈Sincerely, Julie Dyck - Posted by: Julie dyck (Aerobics class) on: Nov 17, 2020
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Annie sorry to hear about Dave . We have been out of touch for a few years . When we lived in Charleswood remember going to a Ma and Pa diner with you both for some good Italian cuisine .Saw a lot of Dave when we were both working at the grain exchange. Our sympathies to you and family - Posted by: Ed and Elsie Isaac (friends) on: Nov 08, 2020
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I knew Dave and Anne from our handicapping sessions every Saturday morning at Assiniboia Downs, Dave was always involved in making up our 'group' tickets after the handicapping discussions were finished. I found Dave as a knowledgable guy when it came to horseracing. His input will be sorely missed, as will his wonderful attitude. My deepest condolences to Anne and the rest of the family. - Posted by: Larry Liebrecht (Racetrack Friend) on: Nov 08, 2020
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In this difficult world, we only wish that all can guide their life his way. Not knowing Champ but wanting to emanate his understanding of life makes me feel better about myself. What many couldn't achieve in life, you, Mr David Champion, leave behind guidance to so many. RIP - Posted by: AJ Trudeau (friend) on: Nov 08, 2020
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I was so sorry to read of Dave's passing today. My parents were friends years ago, Roger and Ailsa Heap. I fondly remember going cross country skiing at Windsor Park with Dave and a young man from Switzerland. The young man had been engrossed in curling on TV when we picked him up and flew out the door with his skis. He had forgotten his ski boots but just jammed his winter boots into the skis and flew off way ahead of us. What fun Dave was! Heartfelt sympathy to Anne and family from the Heap family. - Posted by: Jane (Heap) Romaniuk (family were friends) on: Nov 07, 2020
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To family of David Champion: Sorry for the loss of Dave. I met Dave through his sister Mary in the mid fifties. A vary nice man indeed; a noted lover of horses and horse racing. I often saw him at Assiniboia Downs. Regrettably Dave never helped me pick a winner. My sincere sympathy and good wishes to Anne and the Champion family. Dave Drybrough - Posted by: Dave Drybrough (Friend) on: Nov 07, 2020
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Dave was a very fine trader. He was smart, always on top of things, with lots of integrity. I was always interested in talking to him about a wide variety of subjects. A great guy. I’ll miss him. Ramzy - Posted by: Ramzy Yelda (Professional) on: Nov 07, 2020
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Sending a big squishy hug to Anne and Wendy and Family. Dave was a wonderful man who took great care of his family. We smile when we think of him. - Posted by: Betty Jackson (friend) on: Nov 07, 2020
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