Dave Shakespeare

With a heart full of profound sorrow, we announce the passing of Dave Shakespeare on April 10, 2026 at the age of 73. He was born in Winnipeg, MB, Canada on August 27, 1952, to the late Erle Shakespeare and Betty Bouchard (Domoslai). He is survived by an older brother Robert (Bob) and a younger sister Carla. He also had a very close relationship with the late Dennis Bouchard as a step-father.

Dave regarded his greatest achievement to be his beautiful family, which he cherished above all else.
His loving wife of 46 years, JoAnne, was the cornerstone of his life, their bond a shining example of enduring love and mutual respect. Dave is also survived by his 2 devoted daughters, Pamela Shakespeare and Holly Hogarth (Brandon), and his 4 cherished grandchildren; Kelton Jack (17), Serene Shakespeare (10), Norah(8) and Eleanor (6) Hogarth. Each one of them was a source of immense pride and joy for Dave, and his love for them was boundless. His memory will live on in their hearts, a gentle reminder of a man who was the very embodiment of love and empathy.

Dave started his career as a Computer Programmer in Winnipeg and ended it as an accomplished Computer Software Specialist in Calgary. He traveled all over the world installing stock exchange software for Nasdaq. He loved his job and was well-respected in his professional circles for his dedication and skill. All his hard work was rewarded with many family vacations that created so many special memories for them all to remember and cherish.

Unfortunately, in late 2011 he was diagnosed with a very rare recurring blood cancer (WM for short). He tried going back to work before having all of his chemo treatments because he felt so much better, but then decided he didn't enjoy it anymore, both mentally and physically. He decided to retire in mid 2012 and moved to Nanaimo in 2013 where both his daughters were living. His 15 year battle included 4 rounds of chemo treatments and numerous blood transfusions along with skin cancer surgery on the top of his head. He never was sick or lost his hair with any of his treatments and said they only made him feel stronger. This blood cancer did bring on many other challenges such as surviving sepsis 5 times, open heart surgery to remove the sepsis, numerous ulcers and lesions, pneumonia, gall bladder removal, no immune system many times, neuropathy in his feet, and diabetes. On the flip side, he never had another cold or flu and when he got Covid, he had no symptoms at all. He endured all of that with such a positive attitude and just tried to enjoy whatever time he had left. He often told others his grandchildren were the reason he was able to fight as hard as he did and provided the extra 10 years to his life than what he was expected to have. He was like a cat with nine lives!

In the end he was diagnosed with a more aggressive blood cancer (multiple myeloma) which spread to his bones and various organs. This time it was very painful for him and he decided too late to try for any treatment. He was in the hospital for one month before being well enough to come home and passed away peacefully 3 weeks later with his wife and daughters at his side. He said he was happy and he lived a good life.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The purpose of life…is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." Dave lived his life embodying these principles, and his legacy is a testament to their enduring truth. Dave was a beacon of empathy and humility, touching countless lives with his kindness and unconditional love.

As we mourn the loss of Dave, we also celebrate the remarkable life he lived and the profound impact he had on those fortunate enough to have known him. We invite you to share your memories of Dave and upload photos to his memorial page, as a tribute to a life beautifully lived and a man dearly loved.