David Beecroft

At his home on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, David Beecroft of Bayfield passed away at the age of 75.

 

David was the son of the late Gilbert and Margaret (Watson) Beecroft. He was the loving brother of Janet Beecroft, Brantford, James and Marilyn Beecroft, Wasaga Beach and Alice Grottoli, Collingwood, and the cherished uncle of Sarah Girard (Ben), Jamie Beecroft (Samantha), Andrew Grottoli (Nicole), Laura Grottoli (Drew) and Adam Grottoli and great-uncle of Emily, Kathryn, Brianna, Daniel, Aaron and Tessa.

 

David loved farming and he loved airplanes. He grew up on the Beecroft Line in North Huron and practised his love of farming on the Beecroft Century Farm until 2020, managing the farm in partnership with his brother Jim after their father passed away. He cared deeply for his herd of grass-fed Red Angus cows and the calves they produced.

 

At age seventeen, he earned his private pilot's license. His interest in aircraft began early and he knew as a teenager that he wanted to pursue a career in aviation. He completed his secondary school diploma at Central Technical School in Toronto, the only school in Ontario with an aircraft maintenance program.

 

Upon graduation, he was unable to immediately find a job within the depressed aviation industry that existed in Canada at the time. So, he worked in agriculture as an artificial insemination technician with St Jacob's Artificial Breeding Co-operative for five years.

 

While he thoroughly enjoyed his job and the friends he made at St. Jacobs, he did not give up on aviation and in 1975 he was hired on with Wardair at Pearson Airport. For the next 40 years he worked to keep commercial aircraft flying, first with Wardair where he became a member of the engine change crew, flying to wherever an engine replacement was required, then with Canadian Airlines and finally with Air Canada.

 

For most of his time with the airlines, David battled some significant health issues. He soldiered on, recharging his batteries at the family farm, Gillbank, on his days off and during his vacation time.

 

Sadly, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018. He will be missed by his family and friends.

 

A graveside service will take place on David’s birthday, Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Wingham Cemetery with details to follow.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Wingham and District Hospital Foundation would be appreciated.

 

Online condolences at www.mcburneyfuneralhome.com.