David Barnes Boutilier

David Barnes Boutilier

Sydney Mines

            It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the passing of David Barnes Boutilier, age 83, a beloved husband, father, grand-father, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend on Monday January 24, 2022 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital,

            Dave was born on November 14, 1938 in Sydney Mines, NS.  He was the son of the late William and Margery (Barnes) Boutilier. As a young boy, he delivered telegram messages throughout North Sydney on a bicycle. For 35 years, Dave had a rewarding career as a respected surveyor with the Dept. of Transportation where he was involved with several road and bridge construction projects around Cape Breton Island. After his retirement, Dave continued to pursue his hobbies of woodworking, rug hooking, painting and reading. For many years, he was an amateur radio operator where he enjoyed chatting with colleagues and friends around the globe and used the call sign VE1DB.  Dave had an interest in photography and for several years he even had a dark room to develop his own photos.

He was a longtime member of the Trinity Anglican Church in Sydney Mines and an honorary member of the Parish Council.  Dave was active in the choir, where he loved to sing, and sat on many committees. In his early years, he had a passion for computers, and had one of the first computers ever released.  ‘Poppy’ enjoyed the outdoors and spent a good part of each and every day walking throughout the community.  Dave was a humble soul who conveyed kindness and respect to the people he met. He had a wonderful motto for life, “You gotta have fun!” He was a family man who will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 56 years, children, grandchildren and great-grandkids.

            Dave is survived by his loving wife Patricia (Robinson), sons David (Wendy) and Blair (Tammy), Sydney Mines and daughter Bonnie Gloade (Steve), Regina, SK; his grandchildren Tyler(Jenna), Aidan(Jocelyn), Jamee (BJ), Dylan(Jenna), Shayla, Stephen, Emma, Aviana and Kye; his great-grandchildren, Arabella, Cadwell, Avery and two more on the way; his brother, Myers Boutilier (Nancy), North Sydney; sister-in-law, Ann Robinson, Halifax and many cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, William Boutilier; brothers-in-law Benny, Harold and Allister; sisters-in-law Edith, Pauline and nephew Harold.

            We, the family, would like to express our thanks to the nurses at the Palliative Care Unit at the Cape Breton Regional for all their professionalism, kindness and care. They went above and beyond and served a great cup of tea.

            Memorial donations in honour of Dave may be made to Trinity Anglican Church, the Sydney Mines Foodbank, the Children’s Wish Foundation or a charity of one's choice. Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com .

            Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.