David Bruce Beckett

Born in Winnipeg, on January 7th 1939 to Florence and Ernie Beckett, passed peacefully in the arms of his sons after a courageous fight on April 18th at Soldiers Memorial Hospital, in Orillia. Loving brother of Joan Switzer (predeceased). Loved father of Todd Beckett (Heather) and Joe Beckett. Grandfather (Bumpa) of Kyra and Connor Beckett. Much loved Stepfather of Suzanne (Dan), Heather (James), and special Uncle Skip to Heather (Gary), Scott (Janet), Karen (Lenny). Dave moved back to Orillia in 1980, after a successful career in advertising and traded his briefcase for a box of pastels and an easel to pursue a dream and went on to become a celebrated artist and share his love of nature He is in major exhibitions including The Pacific Rim Wildlife Exhibition in 1996. The Buckhorn Wildlife Festival is a favourite annual event for Dave's collectors and has been since 1986. Beckett's paintings are in many private and corporate collections including Government of Canada; Province of Ontario; Major Bank collections at home, in Europe, the V.K., Japan, and South Africa.

He is an elected member of The Pastel Society of Canada (PSC) and was recently awarded the title of Premier Pastellist of Canada (PPC).  He is a life member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), an international organization of distinguished pastellists.  Dave is also a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Special thanks to his caring physician Dr. Aaron Barnett and Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Orillia.  Visitation will be held at the Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West St. N., Orillia on Tuesday, April 23rd from 4 - 7 p.m. followed by a private family service.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Soldiers' Memorial Hospital and St Luke's Anglican Church would be appreciated.