WILTON, David Alan
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 26th, 2021, in Calgary, AB., with his loving wife of 54 years, Rae, and son Rob, by his side.
David was born August 28th, 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
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My heartfelt prayers snd condolences to the entire Wilton family for their loss of David! His smile was so enlightening and refreshing! His police stories were written about a man who took pride in his life experiences as a Police Officer! The first time I met David I saw a magical glow in his eyes and his smile! He truly is the Lord’s gem! I always called David Praise the Lord for those were the words I heard from his mouth the first time I met him! He will truly be missed but always in our hearts!
The Lord of comfort be with all the Wilton family! Much love and prayers!
Therese Kapitany
To all the family –
In the days and weeks that follow
Perhaps you’ll often find
That even long-lost memories
Will slip into your mind,
And suddenly your loved one
Won’t seem so far from you…
You’ll think of touching stories,
The things you used to do,
And favorite family moments
In which you both took part —
These souvenirs of happy times
Will keep you close at heart.
I am so sorry for your loss.
We have many happy memories from times spent at LB!
⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️‘S
I am so sorry to read this Raeanne. My sincere condolences to you and family
Dear Raeanne and family, my sincere condolences of the passing of David. May the memories that you have shared help you through this difficult time.
Sincerely Mae Gleim
We are so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. We will certainly miss his affectious smile. We were so lucky to have him as one of our best men at our wedding. He was a great friend and such a personable individual. Raeanne and family, please accept our heartfelt condolences.
To the Wilton family. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. Dave was a mentor to many of us at SPS. I loved to work with him. Dave contacted me regularly after moving to Calgary. He would ask how my daughter was doing. He knew she was in a battle with cancer. That was the kind of guy he was.
RIP My friend
To all the Family my sincere condolences.
Rest in Peace my friend and Cousin. From two one year olds spent together in England until his move to Canada and all the communications we had when growing up in spite of the miles apart, I shall always treasure those moments. His smile and all the memories will stay with me forever.
Deepest condolences to the family.
Such a beautiful tribute to David. My heart breaks for the family and I will pray for you during this time of grieving.
David will be missed every day but you have wonderful memories to smile and laugh about. He’s in Jesus care now.
Death is a heartache that no one can heal
But memories are a gift that no one can steal.
May the memories of Dave live in your heart forever. Our sincere love and condolences to all the family.
Oh Rae Ann. I don’t know what to say except that I am so, so sorry! I wish I could give you a big hug. May God wrap you in His loving arms and comfort you. David was an exceptional man and I am so glad that I knew him. Mom and dad will be thrilled to see him, and one day we will have our reunion with the Lord and with each other.
I pray that you will be encouraged by John 14… Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. You know the way to the place I’m going.” Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. As David would say …praise the Lord!
Dear Rae and families, we are so saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. We grew up together on Angus street and remained friends until the end of high school. It was so nice to reconnect later and to see you guys and listen to his stories. I enjoyed his emails and crazy jokes. We share in your sorrow and know we will reconnect in he afterlife.
Love, Pat and Gary
Our Sincere Condolences to The Wilton Family,
I First met Dave at the YMCA in Saskatoon around 2008
We both loved that Steam Room, and agreed It was The Best Steam Room in all of Canada.
We had lots of Great Conversations in that Steam Room About his days with The Saskatoon Police,
His Love for his family and his Grand Daughters, Once in awhile our family would see him at Kinsmen Park in Saskatoon enjoying time with his Grand Daughters, Dave loved music, And would often request his favorite song “Hoyt Axton Boney Fingers”, When I hosted The Request show at CJWW in Saskatoon, I could always hear that Hearted Laugh of his when I Played it. After losing my job, and falling on Hard times, Dave along with his church Would help my family with rent and a damage deposit for a new home in Saskatoon, And thanks to that generous donation we were able to get our feet back on the ground. A few years later Dave relocated with his family to Calgary where he could get the best care after going through his Heart Valve Surgery. My family and I also moved to Calgary, and had the pleasure of seeing him one last time this past May in Glenmore Park, He loved that Park, Our Family was so Heart Broken to hear of his passing, I will always remember that Great Smile he had and that Laughter, Dave will always be remembered for his Kindness, and I know his lovely family will carry his legacy.
Thank You Dave, Sincerely Harley, Muriel and Family.
Dear Rae, Nicole and Rob, and beautiful grand-children,
With much sorrow for your great loss, we send our love and prayers to all of you. Although we have not been able to see you for several years, we remember your family with great affection. David was a “big” man; in presence, in personality, in love, and in all that he did. Those whom he smiled upon felt his joy and his unconditional love and acceptance. Mom and Dad Walrath adored David, and you were wonderful, loyal friends for over 40 years! Our family was so blessed to have known him, and we mourn with you. We will happily make a donation to Mustard Seed in David’s memory.
So sorry for your loss. I knew Dave from the SPS, and then I continued to bump into him in the Brevoort Park area. He always had a cheery disposition and a big old smile on his face. He was so easy to strike up conversation with. I am very sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Sending love and strength your way. Kim Thome
Our deepest sympathy to you all. We always enjoyed visiting with Dave. His smile lit up the room. Sending you our love and prayers.
I knew Dave as a Superintendent at Saskatoon Police service. Despite being a junior police officer, at the time, he made me feel very welcome. Dave was very kind, sincere and had his hand in on many of the jokes that took place! My sincere condolences of the passing of your husband, father and grandfather.
JoAnne Smallbones
Saskatoon, SK.
Dear Rae, Nicole, Rob, Tylar Rae, Brette Danielle, Camryn Nicole and Extended Family,
I’m so saddened to hear of “Mr. Wilton’s” passing. Your family was a part of my growing up and I look upon those memories so fondly. There were so many Sundays spent together at church and each others’ homes, enjoying time with one another. I recall the close friendship that my father had with Mr. Wilton: their times at the YMCA together playing racquetball and squash, enjoying “the steam”…these are all a part of my childhood memories. I especially remember that Mr. Wilton always had a smile on his face and plenty of laughter to share with us kids. I’m grateful he was a part of our lives.
I will be thinking of you as you reflect on his beautiful life. My sincere condolences to you all…
To Rae, Nicole and family. I was so sad to see that Dave has passed away. I remember his quick smile and easy going manner. He always took time to have a visit when he was dropping off material that Rae needed copying for her Parenting with Music classes. I know that all of your beautiful memories will help you through this difficult time. Take care.
Dear Rae, Nicole, Rob, and grand children: Tylar, Brett, Camryn; and all David’s family
We cannot find the appropriate words to express our deepest condolences and sympathy to you.
We have been privileged and blessed to have known David, and knew him as a true friend.
David was a true gentleman with a heart of gold. He demonstrated an inordinate amount of passion for everything that he did, and emulated servant leadership with integrity.
David would often share with us his feelings of love for Rae, his children, and his grandchildren.
May God give you our friend, eternal rest.
With love and prayers…….Christine, Lindsey and Fred Wesolowski
Rae, Rob and Nicole, ,I am very sorry about your loss. Losing someone you love is never an easy thing to go through and I am thinking of you all right now. Hershey and Dave are going for car rides now and I suspect they both have their heads out the window! My condolences.
Dear Rae, my condolences to you and your family. As a parent in your music classes, I didn’t know Dave well, but he always said hello and his big smile was easily recognizable. It was apparent how involved he was in your lives and how much he was enjoying himself. I enjoyed seeing your photos, and especially seeing you and Nicole after so many years. The poster for the music program, with the pictures of my Thomas and your Tylar, remains on the wall of our special family keepsakes. We have fond memories of our music time with you. Warmest regards, Rae, and my sincere sympathies. Laura (and Thomas, David and Anna)
I am so sorry to learn of David’s passing. My condolences to my cousin Rae and the rest of the large and wonderful extended family.
Even though I did not have the pleasure of meeting Dave, I spoke with him at length and was inspired by his policework and retirement. I am honoured that he contributed to an anthology. Not only was Dave a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, he was also an author. It is a pleasure to have worked with him on this project and I am saddened that he wasn’t able to see the book published because I know he was excited about it. My condolences go to Rae and Dave’s family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.