Obituary for
David Edward Chesterton
DAVID EDWARD CHESTERTON
September 19, 1930 – November 9, 2018
Peacefully passed away at Bethell House Hospice at the age of 88. Beloved husband of Anne Chesterton for 39 years, father of Ian Chesterton (deceased), Davina Lytle and Blair Chesterton, step father of Katherine Vyse (Greg Wells), Kim Horning (Lee Horning) and Andrea Horning, proud grandfather of Eric Chesterton, Venessa Badour (Todd), Alyssa Gingras (Phil), Amanda, Morgan and Scott Chesterton and great grandfather of Hannah and Elizabeth Badour, Remy and Abigail Gingras. David will also be missed by his brother Roger Chesterton (Evelyn), sister Mary Bryce (Peter) his many nieces and nephews and adored cat Mango.
Born in Leicester England, David led a colorful life full of many adventures. At 8 years old, he travelled with a caravan of gypsies for two summers, learned to fly at 12 and saw much of Africa as an RAF pilot. He trekked the Kahalari desert with Kung Bushmen and built and sailed his own boat with Anne as able crew. He met and hobnobbed with Hollywood royalty, including Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracey and Gary Cooper.
David had a gentle soul, a love of nature and animals, a wonderful sense of humor and mischief, and an inquisitive mind. Blessed with an abundance of creativity, David was an outstanding artist who painted and sketched from his imagination and what he saw in the world around him. In retirement he continued to paint, but also wrote 7 books which included biographies, mysteries, tales of his travels and exploits.
David emigrated to Canada in 1956 and launched a successful career as a graphic and package designer. A teacher at heart, David brought his package design talents to Humber College where he launched the first Package Design Program in Canada. Loved by all the students in the program he remained friends with many of them till the day he died.
David also gave back to his community in many ways which included time as a Big Brother and volunteer at Bethell House.
Words can’t begin to capture the essence of David’s spirit but he will be sorely missed and remembered with great love by all who knew him. Farewell sweet David. You have ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’.
An immense thank you for the special caring of his doctor, Charlie Joyce, and the staff and volunteers at Bethell House.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations to Bethell House Hospice, Achill Choral Society or the Canadian Wildlife Federation would be appreciated. Online condolences and memories can be shared at: www.dodsandmcnair.com
A tree will be planted in memory of David in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. The annual dedication service will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2019 at 2:30 p.m.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de David Edward
Chesterton 1930 2018.
Décès pour la Ville: Orangeville, Province: Ontario
