David Alan Wilton

August 28, 1943 – September 26, 2021

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Dad, Grampi, Husband, and friend, David Alan Wilton, September 26

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, 2021, in Calgary, AB., with his loving wife of 54 years, Rae, and son Rob, by his side.

David was born August 28

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, 1943, in London, England, to Liliann (née Rose) and Alan Wilton. When David was 3, he and his younger brother Glenn boarded The Queen Mary with their mother Lily to begin their new life in Regina, Saskatchewan. Alan was finishing his line of duty with the Canadian Army and would soon join them in Canada…

Growing up in Regina, David aspired to be “a tall, handsome Mountie,” but instead decided on becoming a tall, handsome Saskatoon City Police Officer because it meant he wouldn’t have to travel as much and could settle down to start a family. After high school, David worked at the Bank of Montreal before moving to Saskatoon to fulfill his dream of police work.

In January 1967, David was set up on a blind date and fell head over heels for his sweetheart, Rae Ann Arendt of Eastend, Saskatchewan. A mere 7 months later, David and Rae were married and would welcome their daughter Nicole in 1969, and son Robert in 1971.

David was a Saskatoon City Police Officer for 33 years, rising the ranks to Superintendent and was known around town as ‘Smiling Dave’. He retired young at age 53, and little did we know a couple months after this, his son-in-law would pass away, and David would quickly take on a fatherly role for his eldest two granddaughters.

David delighted in all the hours spent with his granddaughters Tylar Rae, Brette Danielle, and Camryn Nicole, teaching them things they still love to do to this day including gardening, painting, and enjoying nature. The girls absolutely adored their ‘Grampi’ – his warm smile, calm presence, his jokes and infectious laughter.

One of the girls’ favourite things growing up was to listen to his old police stories. David wrote these stories down and published his own book, and another book that is coming out in October 2021 has a chapter dedicated to David’s police work.

Always involved in fitness and his community, David was once the president of the YMCA—an active member for 45 years where he went daily and made many great friends over the years. He was also the president of the Briarwood community association in Saskatoon. David had many hobbies, including painting which he even turned into a business after police retirement. David was also the Chairman of the Saskatchewan Highway Traffic board for several years during his retirement.

Of all David’s accomplishments in life, his family and his precious granddaughters were his greatest.

David was predeceased by his father Alan, and son-in-law Daniel Kristoff. He is survived by his wife Rae, son Rob, daughter Nicole (Brad Schuett), granddaughters, Tylar, Brette, and Camryn, mother Lily, brother Glenn (Suzanne), nieces Mia and Erin (Quinn) and their mother Ingrid, his family in England, and countless friends.

A more loving father, husband, and grandfather there has never been— our hero and first love. May you rest in peace in the Light of the Lord. We will miss you so very much.

A celebration of this wonderful man’s life will be held at a later date, to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donate in David’s name to the Mustard Seed Calgary, or the Saskatoon YMCA.

Arrangements entrusted to Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director

Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca – 403-932-1039 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David Alan Wilton, please visit our flower store.