WOODWARD: David James of Zurich, formerly of Exeter, and Niagara Region
Posted By Haskett Funeral Homes On June 10, 2024 @ 8:56 AM In Exeter,Obituary | 34 Comments
David James Woodward went home to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in his 93rd year on Friday, June 7, 2024. He was a deeply devoted husband, father, and grandfather – survived by Jean (Warner), his loving wife of almost 68 years, and their children, Carol (Bradley), David (Catherine), and Frank (Charmaine), as well as his grandchildren Sarah (Arshile), Samuel, Ben, and Matthew. He is also survived by his sister, Marion McKindsey (Donald d. 2016; Jelle), brother-in-law Donald Warner (Wendy), and several nieces and nephews. David was predeceased by his father (Jasper), mother (Agnes Veitch), brothers Robert and Jasper, and brother-in-law Frank Warner (Helen).
David served as an OPP officer in various capacities, including community relations, for over 30 years in the Niagara Region and in the Exeter area. After retirement, he was an active volunteer with ShareWord Global (Gideons International); Emmanuel Baptist Church; and was an avid gardener and a master craftsman/woodworker, often partnering with his next door neighbor and good pal, Gord Ross. For several years after his retirement, David was also well known for his daily (and lengthy) walks down Exeter’s Main Street, rain, snow, sleet, or shine.
David was a person of faith who lived his life in accordance with the principles of the three great institutions that guided his life: Faith, Family, and the Montreal Canadiens, but not necessarily in that order.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 456 Main Street South, Exeter on Friday, June 14th from 1 – 2 PM, where David’s funeral service will be held at 2 PM with Mark Hardwick officiating. Interment Exeter Cemetery.
Stream the service live or at your convenience by visiting www.facebook.com/haskettfh
Donations to the South Huron Hospital Foundation or ShareWord Global would be greatly appreciated by the family.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Sean Ryan, Blue Water Rest Home, South Huron Hospital, and London Health Sciences Centre for the excellent care they provided to David in his later years.
Condolences for the family of “WOODWARD: David James of Zurich, formerly of Exeter, and Niagara Region”
Jean and family,
Our sympathies to you as you grieve the loss of Dave. My memories with Dave began soon after we began attending Emmanuel,when he invited me over to turn out a wooden bowl in his shop (which I still have). I always appreciated Bible studies and visits with Dave.
Bev and Arnie Martin
We send along condolences to the Woodward family. Worked with Dave in the ’80s at Exeter. If all the world were like Dave. The world would be a much friendlier place.
Willi and Waynne Charlton
Dear Jean and family,
My deepest condolences to you. Dave was a wonderful man and his godly example at church and his encouragement to me as a missionary will be greatly missed. I rejoice at the thought of knowing Dave is with the LORD. I know Dave helped my brother learn woodworking and his steady guiding presence was a comfort! Prayers for all of you. Much love,
Leah Vanderlaan
Lovely obituary. Thank you for sharing it. I remember stories about your Dad Carol and what a character he was. Glad he’s no longer suffering old age and what it can bring. Love to your mom and brothers and families. May you always tell stories about him.
Our condolences on this sad news. We can only imagine how proud he must have been of his children and grandchildren.
Jean and family
Sorry to see that Dave ‘s journey has ended.
My sympathy Jean.
Thinking of all your help in physio at South Huron Hospital.
Deepest sympathies to David, Catherine and entire family.
Jean, Carol, David , Frank and families, Heartfelt condolences on Dave’s passing. He is with our Lord. He was a kind, gentle, Christian man. He was a wonderful friend to my Dad Doug Insley. Cherish your precious memories. Hold them close to your heart. May your Faith, family and friends give you peace and comfort. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs.
Sorry to hear of his passing. He is in a better place. Thinking of you Jean and prayers are with you.
Sorry to hear of his passing. He is in a better place. Thinking of you Jean and praying for you all at this time of sorrow
Dear Jean and family,
Our deepest sympathy to each of you as you grieve the loss of Dave. We know that his entire family was very important to him. He was such a godly example to us personally in his prayer life and study of the Word of God. We appreciated his friendship as a faithful member of the Gideons (Share Word Global) and Emmanuel Baptist Church. We and many others were recipients of his great wood working skills. He has left a rich godly heritage for all of us to follow and he is now experiencing His eternal reward. We are praying for each of you that the Lord will give you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Jean & Family;
My sympathy to you all in Dave’s passing. I first met and got to know “Officer Woodward” through my early to late teen years in Zurich. We had some good chats as I served him cruiser gas at Parkins & Erb Sunoco in the late 70’s/early 80’s. Dave was one of few, and possibly the only police officer that would walk the night time beat in Zurich and actually check all the doors of the downtown businesses! And yes, found the odd one open too. That level of service garnered much respect from my parents, Ron & Marilyn, also being business owners in Zurich. When I moved to Exeter, our chats and friendship continued. Dave was a man of service to his community, good character and certainly strong faith. All very admirable attributes. You all remain in our thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Dave.
Mark (& Julie) Heimrich & Marilyn Heimrich
Sending condolences on behalf of the Residents, Staff and Board at Blue Water Rest Home. You are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
David – Thinking of you and your family in the loss of your Dad. Being a fellow walker, it was always a pleasure to bump into your dad and share a friendly smile and family news (that smile got brighter when it came to talking about the grands).
Dave, Catherine and family.
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
Julie Coulter
David, Catherine and family
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad. Thinking of you.
Donna and family
To the Woodward family.So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing.I worked with Dave for many years at the Exeter detachment During that time I found him to be a kind caring person. who conducted himself in a professional manner. He will be missed.
Sending our heartfelt prayers and condolences to you Jean & family
Dave was a real Godly gentleman & will be so missed by you all but in the most peaceful place now
Mom & Dad always talked so highly of you both💜
Janet Kinsman Bilcke
I worked with Dave at the Exeter detachment he was a gentleman and a kind professional leader.
Deepest sympathies.
Don and Liz Millson
David was my guide and coach when joined the O.P.P. In 1963. I am so grateful
for Dave’s kind guidance which I followed my years as a police officer. Dave was
such a kind and caring gentleman.
Jean and family- I wish to extend my sincere heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the passing of Dave- May the peace and comfort of Christ surround each of you in the days ahead. I have appreciated our short visits in the hallways of BlueWater with you and Dave over the last number of years. Blessings to you ! Catherine Shantz
Dear Dave. We are thinking of you at this difficult time. May God Bless the Woodward family.
Jean and Family,
So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. We rejoice with you in knowing that he is know in the presence of his Lord and Saviour. Dave was a godly example and leader and I appreciated his friendship and his woodworking talents.
Al and Ally Vanderlaan
Jean, Frank, & family,
Our good & kind neighbour will be missed. We respected Dave’s quiet & friendly manner.
May he rest in peace.
Dear Jean and family,
With sincere sympathy we offer our heartfelt condolences.
Bev and Garry
On behalf of the Township of Lucan Biddulph Staff & Council, please accept our deepest sympathies. We are all thinking of you and your family during this time.
My prayers are with you and will thinking of all of you Friday afternoon.
Bill W
Our deepest condolences to Dave and family. “Corporal” Woodward was my first Corporal when I reported to Exeter Detachment in 1986 and I learned a lot from him about working with the community to earn their trust. His commitment to honesty and integrity is something I learned from him and carry with me each day. Rest in peace my friend.
To Jean and family,
Our deepest condolences on your loss. We will never forget Dave’s kindness to us when we were renovating our home and he volunteered to work along side my dad many days! We will miss him.
Dear Jean and family,
Dave touched our hearts in so many ways by his unending kindness and wisdom. As a fellow Christian, he walked the walk in all aspects of his life. Thank you for sharing him with us.
We have known Dave for years. He was a great friend of Tanya’s Dad. They both loved the same hockey team. He was most importantly a Man of God. His faith never wavered. Now reunited with his Saviour for eternity. Sending our Thoughts and Prayers to his entire Family.
Dear Jean and Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences. We remember Dave for his love of God, his kindness, and consistent character of integrity. And his rhubarb!
Sending love and prayers,
Jamie and Chris
Dear Jean and Family
So sorry to hear of David’s passing. He was such a kind and gentle person.
Our thought and prayers are with and your family
.
Sincere condolences
Deb and Bob Gehan
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Sorry to learn of Dave’s passing. Our deepest sympathy.