It is with profound sadness that the family of David Gary Hartley announce his peaceful passing on May 23, 2025 at the age of 56 years, following a courageous battle with cancer.
Dave was born Sault Ste. Marie and attended White Pines Highschool. One of his favorite places was his parents camp on St. Joseph’s Island. He had fond memories of many days spent there as a kid and returned annually in the fall to see the changing leaves and help his dad deliver as many loads of firewood as his dad could line up.
Dave’s travels eventually brought him to Thunder Bay as a young man. He worked many jobs early on and settled in at Armstrong the Movers for over 25 years. He was a dedicated and hard-working man, moving many families locally and across the country and US, taking pride in doing a job well. Daves’s favourite achievement was building a beautiful camp at Plateau Lake in 2024 for his wife and sweetheart Susan.
Dave had a great sense of humour and liked to nickname everyone he met and worked with. He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing at Stone Lake, canoeing and could fix or build anything his wife asked for. He loved dogs and was called a dog whisperer by friends.
Dave was dedicated to and deeply cared for his family. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Susan (nee Buchanan); parents Gary and Nancy, brother Dennis, stepchildren Tessa (Joe), Taylor Donaven (Liisa), grand daughters Makayla and Vivienne, sons Brandon and Dustin. David was predeceased by his sister Susan. Dave will also be missed by his best friends Larry and Debbie Newbold and the Crew from Arrow Lake.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Afterglow
By Helen Lowrie Marshall
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun;
Of memories that I leave when life is done.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
