Longtime lover of community passes at 93
A well-known and beloved member of the Medicine Hat community passed away late last month.
Dave Mann spent decades living in Medicine Hat and worked at the Medicine Hat News for more than 20 years. He touched the lives of countless Hatters while helping to raise toys and money for the Santa Claus Fund.
Dave’s children, Brenda and Brian, say he will be missed by many.
“He was a very dedicated, honest and hard-working man,” said Brian. “He was brought up with a very high sense of value.”
“He was so down to earth,” said Brenda. “He loved to socialize. Before COVID he would go to Tim Horton’s just about every night for coffee.”
One of Dave’s biggest passions was motorcycle riding, something he loved doing for most of his years.
“He and mom would go out and ride — they did it all the time,” said Brenda. “He would go out for club rides all the time, and even when he couldn’t ride is bike, he’d go out in his car and follow them.”
Dave’s first bike was a 1950 Triumph, which he rode for many years.
“He always said he courted mom on a bike,” Brenda said with a laugh.
Dave was involved with the annual Toy Run from its inaugural year and even took part in 2020 when the ride was held digitally. He was known and is remembered as the person who always brought in the most donations for the SCF each year.
“He cared that much about it,” said Brenda.
“He knew so many people in the city,” said Brian. “He’d talk with them about the Toy Run and they could see how much he believed in it.”
Dave was born in Lloydminster, Sask., but spent the bulk of his time calling Medicine Hat home.
“Dad was well-known and well respected,” said Brenda. “People loved him.”
Dave was 93.