David William Whitten
December 2, 1928 – June 9, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of David William Whitten on June 9th, 2024. David was born in Scarborough, Ontario on December 2nd, 1928, he was the 4th child born to Harold Burgess Whitten and Dorothy Field. His parents met during WW1 when Harold was sent from the front to a hospital in England with what they thought was trench fever, it was 1918 and he actually had the deadly Spanish influenza. While in hospital he met an English nurse Dorothy Field and when he recovered they asked for permission to marry. After moving around England they returned to Canada and made their home in Toronto. They had 4 children, John Robert, Louisa Elizabeth, Ruth and my father, David William.
At the age of 15 Dave lied about his age and boarded a Norwegian merchant marine cargo ship as a cooks helper. The ship was called the Fana and was carrying a very dangerous cargo of cordite ammo and he frequently saw torpedoes that were meant for them.
When he returned to Canada he worked in New Brunswick at a lumber camp where he developed a taste for molasses on apple pie. When he heard there was lots of work available in BC he and a friend hopped onto a boxcar and headed west in search of better opportunities. Turns out that wasn’t quite true and they were given money to head back east. He returned to Toronto and after a few jobs here and there he learned that a transmission line was being built between Dryden and Red Lake, he was soon part of the crew that was building the dam at Ear Falls.
He met my mother Ruby when he went into the drug store and asked to buy a jigger. Mom replied “we don’t sell those here!” To her a jigger was something that was used for fishing, Dad wanted a jigger for measuring liquor! Nevertheless, he asked her out and they began dating. When Dad took a job in Wiarton, in southern Ontario, Mom decided she was not going to stay behind and moved to Toronto where she boarded with his mother. They returned to the Dryden area and were married in 1952. Dad’s job with hydro meant that he was moved around the area a lot. They bought a truck and a house trailer moved around northern Ontario, returning to Dryden in 1956.
Dave was well known as a mentor to many of the Ontario Hydro crew members teaching them and helping them learn the “right” way to do the job! He was a long time member of the Masonic lodge and spent many hours teaching the new members what it means to be a Mason.
Dave is survived by his daughter Sandra, son-in-law Guenther and the apple of his eye, grandson David. He was predeceased by his wife Ruby in 2008, brother Jack, sisters Betty and Ruth.
During his lengthy stay in hospital he always had Werther’s candies and chocolate by his bedside and always encouraged the nurses to have candy.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home with Bob Stevens officiating. Interment will follow at the Oxdrift Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Masonic Foundation of Ontario, 361 King St. West, Hamilton, ON L8P 1B4, or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be posted to www.dcfh@drytel.net
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home,
249 Grand Trunk Ave. Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
