Dr David McDonald Cardwell 1933–2009
Our dad and loving husband, David McDonald Cardwell, passed away peacefully on 27 March 2009 at home in Parksville after a long battle with cancer. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Eva, and his brother, Peter. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Paddy; children, Steve (Maryann), Jim (Jackie), and Sarah (Kelli); and six grandchildren, Stephanie, Michael, Andrew, Mackenzie, Ingrid, and Kai.
David was born on 7 December 1933 in Batley, Yorkshire, England. He attended Batley Grammar School before completing his medical degrees at Leeds and London Universities. After serving as an emergency room physician in Huddersfield, he became a partner in a practice in Batley. In 1971 David moved with his family to Canada, taking up practice for 18 years in Salmo and Nelson, where he was chief of staff for a time at Nelson Hospital. During that time he was active in the community, including many years as a member of the Salmo Lions Club. Dad also found time to coach the Salmo juvenile boys’ soccer team to become the West Kootenay champions. In 1989 David and Paddy moved to Parksville, where David continued as a general practitioner as part of the Parksville Medical Clinic. Toward the end of his long career, David served as chief of staff at the Trillium and Arrowsmith Seniors Lodges. Until a few years ago he was a member and then conductor of the Arrowsmith Singers.
David was a well-respected, caring, and supportive doctor and friend to many. One could not go down the street with him without someone saying, “Hello, Doctor Dave.” He would still make house calls and was available at all hours of the day and night. We recall the times, in Salmo especially, when he would be called out to medical emergencies—even delivering babies on Christmas Day. He is remembered as a kind, compassionate, warm, and fun-loving person, always ready with a joke (he had a never-ending store of parrot jokes). He touched the lives of so many people. He had a special place in his heart for dogs, and they always loved him too! He will be greatly missed by the family.
A memorial service in celebration of David’s life was held at Yates Funeral Home in Parksville on Saturday, 4 April 2009.
—Paddy Cardwell
Parksville