WICKES, David
1934 – 2025
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Mr. David Anthony Boyd Wickes, who left us peacefully in his sleep, on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the age of 91 years. David was born on March 5, 1934, in Montreal, Quebec to Eleanor and Norman Wickes. His early years were spent there and in Sutton, Ontario, with his parents and his older sister, Cynthia. David joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1952, which proved to be quite a calling. His exceptional skill, talent and dedication earned him the coveted position of pilot of the F-86 Sabre Jet, the most advanced transonic fighting jet of its time. It was during his training in Penhold, Alberta, that he met his first wife, Delia Laycock, a Dental Assistant at the Calgary Airforce Base. David and Delia married in 1953 and had their son, Stephen, in 1954. In 1958, David retired from the RCAF and embarked on a new, exciting opportunity in the Beauty Industry. This career shift began with Marvel Beauty School in Toronto and grew into fifty plus years as a titan in the industry of sales, mentorship, distribution and entrepreneurship. In 1961, David met his second wife, renowned Opera singer, Eleanor Calbes. The couple married in 1963 and welcomed their daughter, Lara, in 1969. A graduate of the University of Toronto, David started his own company in 1978 and built a successful national distribution business that thrived for decades. He was a mentor, visionary and pioneer in the Professional Beauty Industry throughout Canada. David married his third wife, Maureen Garvey, in 1996 and retired in 1998, at which time he took up writing. He wrote five fiction crime murder mystery novels and reached best-selling status in 2007, with his novel “Killing Time”, featuring the recurring character, Agent Jack Peterson. In his later years, David was a member of Greystone Golf and Country Club, President of the Men’s Team and championed many club tournaments. He was also a member of the International Snooker League; he and his son, Stephen travelled the world representing Canada. David was an avid Bridge player for over fifty years and reached Ruby Life Masters status in 2019, with the American Contract Bridge League. A sports fanatic, David was a season ticket holder to the Toronto Blue Jays, Toronto Argonauts, and diligently followed the Toronto Maple Leafs and later the Ottawa Senators. David was a man rooted in integrity, dignity and accountability. He had tremendous love and pride for his children, his German Shepherds and his Ontario property, which he owned for over thirty years. The lifelong friendships he fostered amongst his colleagues and community carry on his legacy to this day. David will be lovingly remembered by his son, Stephen (Jeannine), and his daughter, Lara (Tevia, children Ryder and Skylar). Rest in Peace, David. You made an incredible impact on so many lives. You will be missed dearly and never forgotten. If desired, Memorial Donations, in David’s honor, may be made directly to Lara’s fundraising page for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s at http://act.alz.org/goto/Team_Wickes. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer)

6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

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• Date : 2025-03-26
• Location : (Red Deer) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com