David Ian Gair

Service Announcement Update

A private graveside service for Dave will be held on May 5th, 2023 at Hillside Cemetery. It will be followed by a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion, where Dave was a proud and longstanding member, on May 5th at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

With great sadness we mourn the passing of David (Dave) Ian Gair, lifelong resident of Portage la Prairie, who left us on December 8th, 2022 at the age of 87.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, Dave will be greatly missed by his wife of 64 years, Mary Jane (Setter); his sons Bain (Kim), grandchildren Katie and Jack; Bob (Michele), grandchildren Megan and Jennifer; and Pat (Libby), grandchildren Donavan and McKenna; his sister Caroline Inouye; sister-in-law Jean Gair and nephews Michael and John; as well as extended family, many friends and colleagues.

He was predeceased by his parents Dave and Mary of Portage, as well as his brother Jack and nephew Martin of Calgary.

Dave was born and raised In Portage and spent almost his entire life in the city. He married his high school sweetheart Mary Jane on Aug. 23rd, 1958 and they went on to raise 3 boys. Dave was a proud graduate of Portage Collegiate, served on its school council, played on its football team and was captain of the school Cadet Corps. After attending Teachers College in Winnipeg, he began his teaching career in Portage in 1958. Over the next 37 years, Dave touched the lives of many students and colleagues at several local schools, perhaps most memorably as principal at Prince Charles School for many years, with his unflinching high expectations, his compassion and his ever-present sense of humour. 

A private graveside service for Dave will be held on May 5th, 2023 at Hillside Cemetery. It will be followed by a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion, where Dave was a proud and longstanding member, on May 5th at 2:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Donations in Dave’s memory can be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Portage branch.

To leave messages of condolence, please visit www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com

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