Obituary of David Edward Storey

With great sadness the family of David Edward Storey share the news of his passing December 5, 2023.

David Edward Storey was born February 20, 1948 in Victoria, BC.  He was one of four children born to James & Nellie Storey.  He grew up and attended North West Baptist Bible College and graduated with a diploma of Theology.  Dave met the love of his life, Heather in 1971 and they were married April 28^th, 1973 at Renfrew Baptist Church in Vancouver, BC. They purchased an acreage in Keremeos, BC where they started their family and their small farm.  Dave & Heather had 3 children, 1 son and 2 daughters.  

Dave worked hard to support their family as a logging truck driver for many years. And was an active auxiliary police member for a few years. One summer, Dave decided they should start a bakery and so the Hearthstone Bakery came to fruition.  When Dave wasn’t on the road hauling logs or long-haul driving, he worked along side Heather in the bakery. The bakery became a meeting place in the late-night hours for many police officers who would stop in during their night shifts for a visit, a coffee and a warm cinnamon bun.  Dave loved to visit with friends, new and old; hospitality and fellowship was in his nature.  The coffee pot was always on!  Another passion of Dave’s was carpentry, and he started S&S Handyman Services.  His attention to detail fueled this passion. 

For many years Dave talked about moving his family to Grande Prairie, Alberta, after working hauling logs in the area. In the fall of 1992, the bakery and acreage were sold and the family headed north to Grande Prairie.  Dave continued to haul logs, run his carpentry business and preach sermons when he was asked to fill in or guest speak at a number of churches he belonged to over the years. 

In 1995, Dave began to have problems with his leg.  It just didn’t want to work properly.  No longer able to work hauling logs or doing carpentry, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a diagnosis which he refused to believe.  Dave had to find other things to fill his time and took the PACE course and spent many hours on the PACE crisis line, listening and helping others in crisis.

His theological library was vast and he spent many hours reading and studying books and literature to further understand the Bible and it’s teachings.  He still spent some Sundays preaching sermons when asked to fill in. 

Gradually, his method of mobility became his wheelchair.  Once in his chair, he realized the frustration and difficulty surrounding accessibility for persons with disabilities and became a very loud advocate for accessibility.  He served on the Alberta Committee of Citizens with Disabilities and helped lobby for better accessibility all over the province and country.  Dave was also asked to visit the Edmonton International Airport and discuss how things could be made more accessible.  During this time, he also volunteered on the Grande Prairie Library Board, as a way to give back to his community.  

Dave loved to host open houses and invite everyone over for food, coffee and fellowship.  If he found out someone had nowhere to go for any holiday, there was always a seat available at the Storey’s.  The door was always open and the coffee was always on. 

In 2014, Dave & Heather headed for a little warmer of a climate and settled in Quesnel, BC.  Dave continued to lobby for accessibility and was on an advisory board to the Mayor in Quesnel for a short time.  He joined the Lions Club and enjoyed helping out at the Lions Club garage sales.  He enjoyed hosting a men’s fellowship breakfast and those who attended became very close friends whom he felt were family.

A few years later, Dave had a firm diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis coupled with Vascular Dementia and a few years after that Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.  Dave was able to stay home and in Heather’s care until Dec 2022.  He then moved into long-term care at Dunrovin Lodge.  Heather spent everyday taking care of Dave at the lodge, making his stay there as comfortable as possible.  Dave also really enjoyed his regular visits with his good friend Tony Vander Vegte.

On Dec 5, 2023 at 75 years of age, surrounded by family and friends, Dave took his final breath and passed peacefully from his tired body and to his place in Heaven with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Dave is survived by the love of his life, Heather, his wife of just over 50 years.  His children Ian (Christine) Storey, Julia (Kory) Rowland and Michelle Campbell.  Grandchildren; Ashley (Luigi), Justin (Summer), Austin, Jeryd, Joshua (Haylie), Brooke, Nicholas, Christian and Charlotte. Great-Grandchildren; Avery, Anthony and Airabella.  His siblings; Dr. Vernon (Assunta) Storey, Katherine Storey, Elizabeth (Al) Davenport and Sarah Blokker. As well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dave was predeceased by his parents, Rev. James and Nellie Storey, and his son-in-law Tony Campbell.

Our family is forever grateful to Dr. Grace Martins and the staff at the Dunrovin Lodge for their exceptional, compassionate care over the past year. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dave’s memory to the MS Society of Canada, or a charity of one’s choice.

Dave will be forever missed by his family and friends and an open house and celebration of life will be held at a later date.