David Keith Tabbernor

David Keith Tabbernor passed away suddenly and peacefully on July 4, 2020, in the Esterhazy hospital, with his wife, Sharon, by his side.  Dave was 86 years old.  He was born on February 2, 1934, in Prince Albert, Sask, the only child of Ralph and Daisy (Tabby) Tabbernor.

His Dad was from Detroit, Michigan and his Mom's family (McBeth's & Swanson's) were part of the Nisbet settlers of Prince Albert in 1866. Dave's Dad had to return to the U.S., during the 2nd World War and passed away in 1942, when Dave was 8 years old.  He and his Mom had to obtain special Government permission to visit him before this happened and were only allowed to stay a short while.  Tabby and Dave moved out to Courtney, B.C., in 1948.  Later they moved to New Westminster, B.C., where Dave finished his high school.  In 1951, at the age of 17, he joined the Canadian Air Force and spent the next 9 years in the Meteorology area. His postings were at St. Jeans, Que., Trenton, Ont. (twice), Claresholm, Alta., Comox, B.C. (twice) and Churchill, Man. When he left the Forces, he was   stationed in Ont., and applied for a job with A.C. Nielsens, who were hiring and training for various positions in Canada – one being in Saskatoon, Sask.  He was hired immediately and returned home to Saskatoon to commence his new job. His remaining years of employment were spent in various sales and  management areas.

Dave met Sharon Moore in Saskatoon and they moved down to Regina in 1971 and were married there on October 12, 1974.  In 1978, they moved to Calgary until 1986, when they returned to Regina.  In 2003, a move to Assiniboia, Sask., happened because of a work transfer with Sharon's job.  In February 2005, Sharon retired and in July they purchased a home in Spy Hill, Sask., where they still resided, at the time of Dave's passing.

Dave kicked around with his cousins; Chris, Fern and Barbara when they were young kids in Prince Albert. They spent a lot of time at their Grandparents farm located at the West edge of Prince Albert. Some of their land was later sold to the Government where they proceeded to build the Provincial Penitentiary. It is still there today. His Grandparents apparently had no problems with their new  neighbours. He also mentioned about going down to the river in the winter to play. They had a lot of fun with all the young dogs that also used the spot to play – that was, until some adult panicked when they found out about it.  Apparently, they were not “young dogs”. 

 He 10 -Pin bowled for years, when ever he was able to find 10-Pin Lanes.  He enjoyed serving on various bowling league Boards during this time.  He also enjoyed golfing which he did for years.  In later years he decided to try assembling our own golf clubs by ordering components of our choosing. These clubs are still in use. We took short golfing trips to mainly 9 Hole golf courses in Alta., Sask., and Man. These trips were very enjoyable and interesting, giving us a chance to see  hidden areas of the Prairies.  After we moved to Spy Hill, we took out membership in the Carlton Trail Golf Course just 5 miles from us. A couple of years later he bought a golf cart which made golfing even more  enjoyable for us. During the winters, he became very interested in watching all the Curling on T.V.  Once he got all the strategy of the game figured out, he enjoyed it even more.  He enjoyed watching Hockey and his first favourite teams were the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Chicago Black Hawks.  Then his loyalties switched to the Calgary Flames, as we were living in Calgary when they moved there from Atlanta.  We were able to attend a couple of their games before moving back. Of course, he was a Saskatchewan Roughrider fan and watched all games that they played – again we attended a few of their games when we lived in Regina.  Dave also enjoyed listening to music, which included   Country, Easy Listening, Big Band & Jazz. Years ago, he obtained a Trumpet and self-taught himself to play; although he didn't continue with that  past-time.

Dave was very knowledgeable on various subjects and being a speed reader, would read a newspaper from front to back daily. He kept up on current events and was interested in a variety of topics.  He had no problem carrying on a conversation with anyone.

Dave is survived by his wife, Sharon, after 45 years of marriage; Step-sons: Kelley and Lorelei Tabbernor, Dubuc, Sask. & Bill Tabbernor, Esterhazy, Sask; Sister-in-Laws: Deanna McAlpine & Lorraine Richer, Winnipeg, Man.; Nephews: Kerry Pasloski, Rainy River, Ont., & Evan Pasloski, Winnipeg, Man.; from his first  marriage, Sons: David Jr., Catherine & Jordan Tabbernor of Victoria, B.C., Darrel Tabbernor & sons, Christopher & Scott of Nanaimo, B.C., Terry & Melissa  Tabbernor of Hamilton, Ont., and Daughter; Sandra & Andrew Saint & Daughters, Kaylea & Meghan  of Berwick, New Brunswick.

He was predeceased by his Parents, Ralph and Daisy Tabbernor; Mother & Father-in-Law: Olive and Wm. McAlpine; Brother-in-Laws: David Cruickshank and Marcel Richer.