David Balison Memorial

David went to be with God this past week, after a short period of illness. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Surrounded by his family, David Louis Balison died peacefully at Kamloops Seniors Village on November 13, 2019 at the age of 92.

He is survived by his son Mark (Debbie) Balison of Kamloops, BC.

He leaves behind his seven precious grandchildren – Lea-el Balison (Courtenay, BC) Christopher (Deanna) Balison (Kamloops, BC) Brandy (Shane) Sonnenberg (Kamloops, BC) Trista Nelson (Nakusp, BC) Dustin Balison (Kamloops, BC) Dameon Balison (Kamloops, BC) Kelly (Ryan) Arsenault (Middletown, Delaware, USA) and his twelve great-grandchildren, along with his brother-in-law, Elvin McDonald of Mission, BC.

Dave was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Annie Balison, his brother Alf, his sisters Phyllis and Laura, his loving wife, Cherie, his eldest son Steven, along with his daughter, Jan.

Dave was born on the family farm near Aylsham, Saskatchewan. His family moved to Vancouver, BC where he spent much of his childhood and completed his schooling. It was in Vancouver where he met and married the love of his life, Cherie. They were blessed with a marriage of 67 years. During that time they raised their three children in the Heffley Creek and Kamloops area.

Dave joined his brother, Alf, and father Bert in building from the ground up, a successful company known as Balco Forest Products and later Balco Industries Ltd. Dave learned every aspect of the mill business and retired as the President and CEO of the company in 1979. Over the years, Dave served on the board of the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, the IFLRA, and the Rotary Club of Kamloops. He was a generous man to all who knew him, giving freely of his time and knowledge in administrative matters. He enjoyed, along with Cherie, a wonderful group of Balco friends who were all considered family to them. He was a proud grandpa and great-grandpa who was eager to share any of his grandchildren’s achievements with those who would listen. Dave enjoyed family gatherings, crosswords, playing cards, dancing, travelling and cruising with his wife and friends.

He enjoyed a full life, that was well-lived.

The family would like to thank the staff of Kamloops Seniors Village who treated dad with outstanding and compassionate care and his care aids and nurses who he considered his extended family. Special thanks to Dr. Wiltshire, Dr. Jonat, and Dr. Wynne for their care of dad over the years. His funeral will be held at 1 pm on November 21, 2019 at Schoening Funeral Service, Kamloops, BC, officiated by Pastor Harold Wiest.

Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Alzheimer Society of BC or Canadian Cancer Society would be greatly appreciated.