COUSINS, F.D. (Dave)
October 11, 1952 – November 29, 2011

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Cousins.
He had a long hard battle with many medical problems and new ones yet to face, it was his time to go.

He leaves behind his wife to carry on his legacy Jeannette, his soulmate of 34 years. Son, Scott (Sara); daughter, Jana Potts (Dan) and “Poppa” to 5 cherished grandchildren; Austin, Noah, Tianna, Acacia and Angus.
Mother Vivian Cousins, his siblings Connie, Roger, Glen and their families. And many, many, many dear friends.

Dave touched many people’s hearts and lives no matter where he was. He was a very prominent business man who was proud of his community.

Please join us for a celebration of his life on December 10, 2011 at the Westbank Community Hall from 2:30pm – 6:00pm. We invite you to share your fond memories with his family via email to janapotts@shaw.ca.

The family would like to thank all the loving family and friends who came together in the search for Dave and all your kind words and prayers.

In lieu of flowers please make charitable donations to West Kelowna Daybreak Rotary – The Paul Harris Society in Dave’s name.

• I was very saddened by the news of Dave's passing. Although I haven't seen you for a while Jeannette, you are in my thoughts and prayers right now and look forward to seeing you on Saturday. He was a very wonderful man. Larry and I will never forget him.
  
  Brenda and Larry Larson. Dec 6, 2011
• Jeanette,
  
  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time. We always enjoyed our chats at Riley's and Dave will truly be missed by us and many others.
  
  Ron & Lin Dec 6, 2011
• We are so very sorry to hear of Dave's passing. He will be missed not only by his family but also the entire community. It is just like Dave to pass at the time of his choosing and with dignity. We take great comfort in knowing so many of our loved ones will be there to greet him. When Grandma MacDonald passed away Dave spoke at her funeral. He said he could imagine Grandma fishing with Martha and they were happy. Well I am sure Dave has joined them and has found and is restored.
  
  Lane, Carmen and Joe. Dec 6, 2011
• To Jeannette and Family,
  
  We know you are very proud of the legacy Dave left. He truly was a remarkable person who always saw the best in every situation. We are very blessed to have known him as a friend, advocate, cheerleader and always a shoulder to help support where ever he could.
  
  Love to all,
  Bud and Florenda and family Dec 6, 2011
• We are so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. We will miss seeing his smiles and hearing his laugh at Rileys. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Jeannette in you hours of sorrow.
  
  Love to you and your family,
  
  Abel and Catherine Manuel Dec 6, 2011
• The world is a little darker now.
  
  Marilyn & Brad Hanner Dec 6, 2011
• Jeannette and family,
  
  So sorry to hear of Dave's passing. I have many fond Cousins memories of years gone by, even the Triumph Spitfire he tried so hard to make perfect.
  
  Sincere best wishes and my condolences Jeannette and family,
  
  Daryl Utigard Dec 6, 2011
• Jeannette and family,
  
  It's with much sadness that we heard of Dave's passing. From our first introductions to the "Mayor of Headwaters" and every time we were able to chat since, we had come to know Dave as a great neighbor, advisor, but above all, a friend.
  
  We will miss your stories, songs, and of course the 6 o'clock gun. There is a big hole in the Headwaters community.
  
  With much love and prayers,
  
  Scott, Larissa, Shay and Kiara Symmes Dec 6, 2011
• To Jeanette and family,
  
  Please accept our condolences. Dave so much enjoyed his Canadian outdoor heritage and we were privileged to share that enthusiasm with him at the Headwaters Lake this Thanksgiving.
  
  Ric and Sandy Symmes, Abaco, The Bahamas Dec 6, 2011
• We have so many fun memories of rendezvous in the Northwest. Dave 'Rabbit Killer' was a good friend and we are glad we had the chance to talk to him on our Thanksgiving day.
  
  Don and Bev McKay, Bend, OR Dec 6, 2011
• I was so shocked to hear of Dave's passing, he fought so hard in his short life. Jennette so sad for you. He was so young, and so many years left, sleep in peace Dave.
  
  A friend(Marlene)- The chipper Fish and chips.
  
  Ofelia and Demetrie said to give you their deepest sympathy. Dec 6, 2011
• Dave was an inspiration to all who knew him. I will always remember his response to my greeting him which was "not bad for an old fat guy". I am truly saddened by his leaving this earthly world but am I am grateful for having known him. My heart goes out to Jeanette as well as their children and grandchildren.
  
  Carolyn Cartier, Peachland Dec 6, 2011
• Jeannette and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I will always smile when I think of Dave and our camping adventure we had and his biscuits.
  
  Thinking of you,
  
  Norma Perkins Dec 6, 2011
• Dear Jeanette and family,
  
  So sorry to hear of Dave's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
  
  Len & Sue Cook Dec 6, 2011
• Dear Jeanette and family,
  
  Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Dave will be missed in the community and at Headwaters Lake. Without Dave there will be a significant void in our lives along with his stories, his laughter, his cannon, his tools, his advice, his songs but most of all his endless smile. We will all raise a glass of cheer thinking of the fond memories.
  
  Greg and Lynn - Headwaters Dec 6, 2011
• Jeanette,
  
  Our thoughts go out to you at this difficult time. I will always remember Captain Dave for his leadership, kindness, thoughtfulness and his joy of life.
  
  Bob & Marilyn Reid Dec 6, 2011
• I was deeply saddened to hear of Dave's passing. He was a wonderful friend. I will always have fond memories of our visits, as well the Friday night wine and cheese get-togethers. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
  
  Ed Bradbury Dec 6, 2011
• To Daves' Family,
  
  Dave was always helpful, jolly and quick with a great joke. I will remember him fondly as my straight up agent for my insurance (20 years I do believe!) and miss his great laugh and amazing heartfelt hugs. He will be missed but his memory will live long and strong.
  
  Thinking of you all...Sherry Armstrong Dec 6, 2011
• Our thoughts and prayers.
  
  Bill & Ronnie Pihach Dec 6, 2011
• Dave led a canoe expedition through the Bowron Lakes a number of years ago. A motley crew of eight. I have never laughed so much in all my life. Dave was famous for his foreign accents, his French one was the best! He will be missed.
  
  My condolences to Jeannette and family,
  
  Terry Feeny
  
  Dec 6, 2011
• Jana, Jeanette and Family;
  
  You are all so special to me - I was always made to feel welcome in your home(s). Your loss is something I can't even imagine. No words will help, and I know this. Please just know how fortunate SO many people are for being a part of Dave's life. He was truly one of a kind.
  
  All my Love,
  Sandra (Meyer) Dec 6, 2011
• Jeanette and Family,
  
  We are so sorry for your loss. Dave was an incredible person, he will be missed by a lot of friends. He always had a good laughter going on amongst us at our ritual at Rileys. He will be sadly missed.
  
  Kenny and Dawn Huckabay Dec 7, 2011
• Please accept our most sincerest condolences.
  Dave was a member of our association for 25 years.
  
  The Board of Directors of
  Advocis Thompson Okanagan
  The Financial Advisors Association of Canada Dec 7, 2011
• Jeannette and family,
  
  My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Dave was an important cog in the wheel of our Rotary Club. He was the charter president and gave a lot of himself to get the club up and running. He will be missed.
  
  God be with you at this time.
  
  Sandy Gilfillan Dec 7, 2011
• We were saddened to hear about David's passing. To Aunty Vivian, Connie, Glen and Roger and his wife Jeanette and children, our heartfelt condolences.
  Our prayers are with you.
  
  Love Carol and Cyril Carroll Dec 7, 2011
• So very sad to hear the news. I had so much fun with Dave splashing down the Yukon or round the Bowron, dueling poets, pee pee whacks and black water!! Our sincerest condolences to the family.
  
  Tom, Suzi and Thomas Staunton in Yorkshire, UK Dec 7, 2011
• Dear Jeanette and Family,
  
  We were shocked and saddened at the news of Dave's passing. We have known him for over many, many years. He was a great guy, always smiling and ready to talk about his wonderful family. Although we hadn't seen him for a while, we will miss him and send your our most sincere condolences.
  
  Gerhard and Mary Wust Dec 7, 2011
• Jeannette,
  
  We are truly saddened by the news of Dave’s passing, and of your loss. Will always have fond memories of Dave’s many stories, his hearty laugh, witty jokes and warm heartfelt hugs. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
  
  Dave: I will always remember “nip in the air”.
  
  Gary and Nancy Forsythe Dec 7, 2011
• Your smile, your wit, your ability to tell a story that will put a smile on EVERYONE'S face will forever be missed. I thank you for including me in your life and am profoundly grateful for the lessons you have taught me these past couple months. Jeanette and kids, you are so fortunate to have had such a wonderful man, who fought so many battles to stay on this earth. Rest in Peace Dave
  
  Jori
  Dec 7, 2011
• I personally will miss Dave's big smile, and his updates on our long time friend and schoolmate, Scott. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family through this time. Thank you for sharing Dave with us and our community. He will be missed.
  
  Kathy and Rod Hickson Dec 7, 2011
• To Jeannette and family,
  
  I was on a canoe trip around Bowron Lakes and several years later two weeks on the Yukon River with Dave as the main organizer. What great memories! He was a great outdoors man and a super cook. His stories were also very enjoyable.
  
  I will miss his adventures.
  
  Jim and Britt McMichael, Kelowna Dec 7, 2011
• Was with Dave in a big 'birch bark' canoe tour of the Bowron Lkaes. What a great adventure we had dressed like voyageurs and paddling to our hearts content. Shared many stories and he certainly knew Robert Service poems. He signed me up from an insurance deal and I was off into the wilderness with 5 people I had never met before! His snoring at night was legendary! His friendly, outgoing, take charge manner will be missed.
  
  Reg Volk-Kelowna Dec 8, 2011
• Without pain at last and sleeping in peacefulness, waiting for the trumpet call. Will see you in millennium.
  
  Bruce Hadfield Dec 8, 2011
• This Aussie paddler will always remember Captain Dave with fondness and thanks - for the wonderful times in canoes on the Bowron Lakes and The Ukon River - two of the best things I have done. He made a stranger feel welcome and became a good friend. I am sad that he had a battle with medical problems. I will remember the stories and poems, the cooking and the happiness he generated.
  
  Robert Furness, Sydney, Australia. Dec 8, 2011
• Jeannette and Family,
  
  We will truly miss Dave. Our condolences to all of you. He was an amazing man.
  
  Cheryl and Dean Rosborough Dec 9, 2011
• Dear Jeannette and Family,
  
  My deep condolences and prayers are with you at this sad time. I was so shocked and moved by hearing of his disappearance and sudden death! Although it's been quite a number of years since I last saw Dave, when we used to Group together, I still remember him fondly. He was always smiling, and was so focused and positive. I know there is lots of feeling processes to go through, and with God's help you will get through this speed bump in life!
  
  My Love and thoughts are with you today and in the future.
  
  Blessings, Gaty Durose, West Kelowna, BC Dec 10, 2011
• Jeannette I am so sorry for your loss – thinking of you and your family. My heartfelt condolences.
  
  Willy Rawsthorne. Dec 10, 2011
• Dear Jeanette,
  
  Dimitri and I are so sad to hear of Dave's passing. We are in Sydney, Australia
  at the moment and Marlene of Fish and Chips in Westbank years before, told us through Skype. We haven't seen you both since we closed Agapi's Rest. We surely remember Dave always with a big smile and very kindhearted person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. The community of Westbank has lost a wonderful man and most loved by all! Take Care and
  be strong!
  
  Ofelia and Dimitrios Kassimatis
  Sydney, Australia Dec 11, 2011
• Dear Jeanette and family,
  
  Geoff and Marci called me this evening. Needless to say I am shocked and saddened by Dave's passing. I remember our days at St. George's and more recently during my visit to the Rotary meeting chaired by Dave. Since my move to Whitehorse and subsequently to the Maritimes, I have lost touch with you folks. It is with fondness I recall Dave's sense of humour and his love of the outdoors. I can only say that I know some of what you are going through and also know that with a strong faith and the passage of time, the pain will lessen. You will be in my prayers.
  
  Sincerely, Rob Christie Dec 11, 2011
• To Jeanette and the whole family,
  
  I had been a client of Dave's for many years and realized what a special person he was. Not only did he contribute so much to the community, but he made each person feel so special. Every time I saw him somewhere in town, he always had a big smile for me. He will be truly missed!
  
  Karen M. Andrews Dec 13, 2011
• F. David Cousins, the 'other' Dave Cousins, is how I first met him, so full of brim & vigor! In our first meeting many moons ago, I signed Dave up to talk/interact with students in School District #23 on the topic of 'the History of Black Powder Guns and Entrepreneurship'. He was an instant success with the kids, dressed in his Davey Crockett outfit, raccoon hat and all. He had a magnetic personality and a focused passion for sharing his knowledge & expertise with our youth in preparation for the journey into the realities of life beyond high school. His unique and gregarious personality ensured that his life lessons in the classroom hit the educational bulls-eye, relating real-world business facts to classroom disciplines. Sense of humour, yes, he had tons and that just enriched his class presentations!
  I must admit I did manage, somehow, to pull one over on David when I picked up a phone message from him saying he couldn't believe that there might possibly be a '3rd' Dave Cousins in the area as he saw the name related to a Daily Courier article on the proposed gravel pit on Westside Road. His puzzled voice left a message saying that although he might be at their cabin in the Headwaters, I should phone him immediately to discuss this phenomena to see if we might be somehow related or was I connected with that other guy, the Kelowna Dave Cousins. I eventually came clean admitting that I & that Dave in the paper were one & the same! We had a good chuckle about me still being the real Dave Cousins, born in Kelowna@KGH and that he was the import! Now, he's one up on me(heaven, I'm certain)so to speak, for our next get-together!
  I'd known David over the years and had a deep respect for him and his contributions to our community. He gave selflessly of himself and imparted a lot of valuable lessons to our youth, hard to measure, easy to appreciate. For me, Dave gave from the heart and was so generous in sharing his talents, knowledge and experiences with our future leaders! Thank you, David, as your contributions are recognized and valued. To Jeannette & family, my sincerest condolences at this time of loss!
  Respectfully,
  Dave Cousins Dec 13, 2011
• Dear Jannette and Family,
  
  We were so saddened to hear of Dave's passing. He was a man who lived life large and he was taken far too soon.
  
  Our thoughts are with you in this difficult time, Jeannette.
  
  Linda Laird & Allen Tozer Dec 15, 2011
• Dear Jeanette and family,
  
  We only knew Dave a short period of time (a couple of years), but we always enjoyed his and your company at Reid's and Judy's cabin at Headwaters.
  
  Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
  
  Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
  
  Yours, Soni & Jo (friends of Judy and Reid)
  Dec 15, 2011
• Dear Jeannette and Scott and Jana,
  
  I remember you all from Camp OAC. Dave was a very special friend to everyone and led a wonderful camp that year. Thinking of you with my love,
  
  Rose Powell - North Vancouver Jan 12, 2012

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