David Floyd Cheyne

September 2, 1944 – January 11, 2025 

David Floyd Cheyne from Waskada, Manitoba, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 11, 2025, at the age of 80.

David was born on September 2, 1944, to Robert and Annie Cheyne.

David is survived by his wife Lorraine of 53 years and their 4 children; Dawna (Paul), Chrysti (Scott), Bobbee-Jo (Chad), and Neil (Ainsley). His 9 grandchildren Amanda (Adam), Natascha, Breydan (Shayla), Alexandria, Brantt, McKennah (Carter), Nolan (Darby), Eastyn, and Mason. His 2 great grandchildren, Jaedyn and Marlow. Siblings Bill (Linda), Mary, (Beryle), sister-in-law Shelley Hooper (Greg), and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father Robert, and mother Annie, father-in-law and mother-in-law Walter and Grace Hooper,brothers Jack (Jackie), Bob, George (Vivian), Les, Ernie (Cheryl) and brother-in-law Irwin.

David left home at the age of 16 with his older brother George. He got his plumbing ticket in 1969. He worked all over Manitoba.  He loved to tell stories of all the famous buildings he worked on, like the Brandon Wheat Kings arena. He met Lorraine in 1966, but it took years to tame the wild “horse”. It wasn’t until a hot weekend in 1972 when David was leaving to work out of town that they found out they were having a baby in July. With a $50.00 ring, and a $100 wedding, David and Lorraine got married on February 11, 1972. They purchased their first home at 284 Doran Bay and started their family. In 2000, he retired from Deer Lodge Hospital where he had worked for 22 years.

David was an avid baseball player. His windmill was one of a kind. In 1976 he pitched a no hitter at the Summer Games in Neepawa, MB. This pass summer he was asked to throw out the first pitch at the 60^th Anniversary of the Crestview Men’s Softball league. David was so honored to be a special part of this on his 80^th birthday weekend. David was known as a legend around the Crestview Community Club.  If he wasn’t building canteens, he was out flooding the ice at midnight to make sure all the kids in the community had perfect ice to skate on. He was the softball convenor for many years. He absolutely adored his kid’s friends. He would forever be piling in as many kids into vehicles and taking them to tournaments, or fairs. The more the merrier and he never complained. He also coached ball for many years. We aren’t sure if it was the girls or the umpire’s fault but it is safe to say quite a bit of his coaching happened from “outside the fence”.

Many weekends were spent camping with his family and friends. Ball tournaments, horse races in Craven to watch brother Bob, family vacations and just getting out of the city were all reasons to pack up the kids and the trailer. In 1988 David, his 2 brothers George and Ernie, and lifelong friends, the Pinchin’s, purchased 80 acres of property as their permanent campground. This campground became the Cheyne-Pin Ranch where friends and family would gather. One horse became 19, one cat became too many, and there were always special dogs around. David was proud that only he was brave and cowboy enough to ride his beloved white horse Sparky. He loved campfires, his rye and water (light on the water and no ice), and hanging out with his friends and family having a good time.

In his spare time David and George frequented auction sales.  They always went for “1 item” but always came home with a truck load of trinkets, which then in turn started the collection of granaries to store their precious treasures.  David was infamous for never fastening his seat belt and driving everyone crazy with the annoying beeping sound, that somehow, he tuned out. We don’t know many people that wouldn’t have a David Cheyne driving story!

In 2000, after the fire at 284 Doran Bay, they purchased another acreage just down the road on Highway 317 where they would call home for the next 20 years. Grandpa always made sure the kids had something to do at the acreage. He built them a golf course, a racetrack, a ball diamond, a skating rink, a swimming pool, and there was always an open shooting range, and pool table. As expected they became pillars in the Libau community and David became president of the Mars Hill Cemetery which will be his final resting place along side his brothers George and Ernie, sister-in-laws, and friends.

In January 2020, David and Lorraine left their beloved acreage and moved to Lorette. Several sea cans were promised to house his beloved treasures that he just couldn’t part with to convince him that this was a good idea. Dad loved his tools and his treasures and if we were getting rid of them then we might as well get rid of him too!

David absolutely loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren. They would travel miles to attend graduations, hockey and ball games, move provinces, and babysit whenever they were needed.  If you needed them they were there. Everyone of his grandchildren and great grandchildren had a special place in his heart.

As time went on and his dementia became more evident and his short-term memory failed, he never forgot your name if you were someone important in his life.

This smiley, quiet but witty man was with it right until the very end. When the nurse came in and asked him what his name was, he responded, “Charlie Brown”.

When he decided the tulips were getting close, and he was ready to go, he asked for one last shot of rye. So, we did one last cheers to the man we called dad, grandpa, papa, Elkie, Uncle Dave, Davey, Jed, Mr. C, Mr. Cheyne.

A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2025, and the date will be posted on social media for everyone who would like to party with David one last time.  He didn’t want a funeral, he wanted a party, so a party we will have.

In lieu of flowers, please take a shot of your favorite beverage of choice and share a memory of our dad.

We would like to take a moment to thank his “girlfriend” Cathy (Aka Cassie), his personal care aid. He absolutely adored you, not many people could do what you did for him. Thank you for your patience, and kindness. He loved your weekly adventures. Especially your trips to Costco. You are officially a member of the Cheyne Clan. We do apologize for his inappropriate behavior, lol.

Thank you to the staff at the St Boniface Hospital Emergency department for making dad as comfortable as possible. Special thank you to Karen Samson for her support at the hospital and to Danny and Karen for making his final wish happen.  Thank you to everyone who has reached out by text, social media, or called.  Your support is truly appreciated.

#dontbesuchabitch