Saturday, March 25, 2023
I got to know David over the course of a few weeks roughly 14 or 15 years ago when, due to a mishap, David had to spend two long cold November nights alone in the bush north of Little Rapids. OPP helicopters, Sault Search and Rescue and several volunteers were deployed to search for David when he failed to return from a day of cutting firewood. Due to bad weather and the heavy cover of the thick coniferous mixed bush, the search was unsuccessful but low and behold, David walked several miles to the Mississaugi River and was spotted by deer hunters as they were heading up Hwy 129.
The following weekend, my brother, my two sons and I, along with Vern and of course David loaded up our ATV’s and went to find and recover David’s truck. This turned out to be quite an adventure as David had miscalculated which bush road he had been on, however, with perseverance we found the truck and were able to get it back home.
David shared his experience of spending two cold wet nights alone in the bush with us and how he knew if he headed east he would eventually hit the Mississaugi River that ran along Hwy 129. He told us that the love for his family and help from “The Man Up Above” guided him through this challenge. A true testament to his devotion and faith.
If my memory is correct, David was 77 years old at the time and He made a very strong impression upon myself and my sons, we stopped by to see him a couple of times after this and dropped off a couple of fresh lake trout.
Please accept my condolences on the passing of this fine man.
Respectfully,
Kelly Hotchkiss and family
