Dave was one of the first hams I met when I began to study for my license. He was a mentor and became a great friend.
Dave was always friendly and helpful. Even so, he was well known to stand up for what was right and not what was expedient. For years, Dave was very active on HF. He had a massive collection of QSL cards and was, for many years, one of Canada's QSL bureau coordinators. During that time he could be found at many hamfests distributing cards to those looking for them. His crowning achievement was the acquisition of a commercial grade tower and then mounting a military grade Mosley triband yagi! That monster was so big and heavy that it required a large crane to help put in place. (Poor Dave almost didn't survive his wife after the crane left deep indentations in her manicured lawns! LOL. Yes, she forgave him :-)
Dave was quite involved with public service in the area and was the Niagara Ontario area SATERN coordinator. His skill at traffic handling especially through SATERN was invaluable to many overseas emergencies and a local area emergency - The infamous Blizzard of 1977 that hit southern Ontario and western New York.
As Dave's health began to decline, he and his wife sold their country home to relocate to a townhome community where antennas were not permitted. HE said goodbye to HF and was limited to keeping up with his friends on the VHF repeaters. Eventually he was not going out very often and stopped going to most hamfests.
HE never missed the local hamfest and when he missed it in early 2020, for the first time in over 50 years, myself and others knew he was not well. He was heard less and less on the local repeaters and eventually went silent in early 2021 just a few weeks before becoming a SK.
Dave will be missed by everyone that he touched. 73 and 75 to my friend, Dave. Until we meet again.
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Obituary of David James Digweed - https://bit.ly/3bl2yEq
Digweed, David James - Suddenly, on January 27th, 2021 at the St Catharines General Hospital at the age of 76 we lost a man whose caring, humour and good nature will shine on in the memories of all the people whose lives he touched.
Survived by the love of his life, Elaine and his son Brent. Brother of Mercia Naray. Godfather to Allison Stapleton and Caitlin Rumsby. Predeceased by his brothers Bill, Tom and sister Margaret. David was an active member of the Niagara Peninsula Amateur Radio Club and a retired millwright from General Motors. David shared his love of God with his family and many friends from The Salvation Army and St. Anns Community Church over the years. David also will be notably missed by his fellow community members. Cremation has taken place and he will rest at the Lane Cemetery in St. Anns. In lieu of flowers David wishes donations to be sent to the Salvation Army Family Services in your community.