1933 ~ 2024
On November 24, 2024, David Knight Kerslake laid down his carving tools for the final time. Dave’s curiosity about the world and everyone he met endured to the end, despite the impacts of Parkinson's on his physical body. At age 91, his heart decided it was time for David to rest.
Dave was born outside the historic city of Bath, England on May 6, 1933. From a young age, he, along with his four brothers and one sister, loved to explore their farm and the surrounding areas. He and his brother Frank developed a keen interest in airplanes, both the science behind flight and the building and flying of model airplanes. As a child during WW2, he was frequently reprimanded by his teachers when the air raid sirens went off as he would be rushing to the windows to see the planes! As a young man, Dave served two years in the Middle East with the Royal Air Force as a medic. This instilled in him a love of travel and interest in other cultures that extended throughout his life.
After returning home, Dave met Eva Young in a chance encounter at the hospital where she was working as a nurse. They married in 1961. Soon after, they decided to move to Canada for a job opportunity just outside Red Deer. Although that job did not work out, Dave was able to secure a position as an instructor at NAIT and the family moved to St. Albert in 1971. During this time, they welcomed two daughters, Pamela (Pam) and Suzanne (Su) who will always value his quiet wit, inquisitive spirit and endless patience.
Dave’s commitment to excellence along with his genuine interest in people were assets when he opened the Sturgeon Denture Clinic in St. Albert in 1974. Dave also met Harry Gaffney who has remained a dear friend for over 45 years. Dave was active in the Denturist Society of Alberta and St. Matthew’s Anglican Church and even found time to craft the furniture for the sanctuary of the church which is still in use today.
Health issues in 1996 forced David to leave his denture clinic and David immediately immersed himself in the art of woodcarving. Although he experimented with other forms of carving such as love spoons, he quickly found a passion for carving and painting lifelike birds. Over the course of the next 20 years, he produced over a hundred birds, ensuring that even the bird’s feet, tongues and mounts were accurately recreated. Some of his bird carvings are currently on exhibit at the Musee Heritage Museum while others have nested in St. Albert homes through donations to support local charities.
Dave is now soaring with his birds in the vast quiet of the sky, paying meticulous attention to the beauty all around him. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Eva, his beloved daughters Pam and Su, and son-in-law Michael MacDonell. David’s spirit, sense of adventure and love of ice cream live on in his grandson David Junior (DJ) MacDonell with whom he shared an especially close connection.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, December 17 at 1:00 in St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, 125 Larose Drive, St. Albert. Following the service, a reception will take place in Connelly-McKinley, St. Albert Funeral Home, 9 Muir Drive.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta would be greatly appreciated. Special thanks to Dr. Zalasky for his caring manner and the staff of Chartwell St. Albert for their exceptional support.
To share photos, memories, and condolences, please visit www.connelly-mckinley.com.
Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home
St. Albert Funeral Home
(780) 458-2222
