It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of David (Dave) Stanley Colbeck. Born in Surrey, BC, on May 16, 1963, to Bernard Robert (Bob) Colbeck of North Bay, ON, and Audrey Lorraine Colbeck (Popp) of Winnipeg, MB. Dave passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, in Ottawa on November 5, 2024.
A graduate of Langley Secondary School (1981) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Dave achieved a diploma in Computer Programming. In 1983, Dave worked as a Customs Inspector with Canada Customs and Excise before transitioning to a career in IT. He was an independent consultant for many years before joining Microsoft as a Principal Consultant in 2008.
Dave met Sharalyn (Shari) Johnson at a Canada Day celebration in Ottawa in 2006. It was love at first sight, and they have been inseparable ever since, marrying on July 11, 2015. Dave became a devoted Stepdad to Shari’s three children, and they united as a family with his daughter and granddaughter.
Dave was hard working, thoughtful, kind, and a gentle soul. He was universally described as “a great guy.” He cherished the annual family camping week at Mont Tremblant and the road trip camping adventures with Shari. Dave loved to travel and scuba dive in new places, but his true passion was golf. He enjoyed many road trips to Myrtle Beach, but his golfing adventures in Scotland were certainly a highlight. Locally, Dave was a member of Grey Hawk Golf Club, where he enjoyed the camaraderie of golfing with his friends.
Predeceased by his parents, Bob and Audrey, Dave leaves behind his beloved wife, Shari; his daughter, Jaime; his stepchildren, Jessica (Jake), Conor, and Kaleigh; his granddaughter, Hailey; his siblings, Coleen (Larrie), Michael (Carol), and Dawn (Steve); and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Visitation and funeral will be held at Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 15, at 5:00 to 7:00 PM and the funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 16, at 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Those unable to attend in person are invited to watch the funeral ceremony via live stream or replay by registering here .
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, Gift in Memory of Dave Colbeck.
The family extends special thanks to the staff at the Ottawa General Hospital for their excellent care and compassion.
Digital Guestbook
Maureen Tobien and Jeff Cockwell
Sheryl MacLean
My dearest Shari,
There are no words to express my sadness for your terrible loss. My heart goes out to you.
Very happy to have met Dave and to have had quality time with you both here in Italy and briefly in North Carolina. He was an amazing, kind, and considerate person. Very special, your soulmate, gone too soon.
My heartfelt condolences to everyone in both your families. Hope you will all be able to find comfort in your wonderful memories of Dave.
Thinking of you and sending all my love, Sheryl XOXOXO
Sabrina Niazi
I had the pleasure of working with Dave and am deeply saddened by his loss. Any time he joined a meeting, the energy and aura of the meeting were instantly uplifted. I will remember how he always lightened meetings with his avatars and warm sense of humor. He was so knowledgeable in his field and taught me a lot during our projects. My condolences are with his family and friends, and he has been in my thoughts and prayers ever since I heard the heartbreaking news. He will be deeply missed and never forgotten at Microsoft.
Our heartfelt condolences to Dave and Shari’s Families during this very difficult time. Over the past two decades, Dave's genuine friendship brought us countless cherished memories. He was a true gentleman and the best friend anyone could hope for.
Thank you, Dave. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
Maureen Tobien and Jeff Cockwell XOXO