On September 28, 2022, Dave Humphrey died. All of us at M2W2 are saddened by his passing and we express our deepest condolences to his friends, family, and loved ones.
We are hosting a memorial service for Dave at 7 pm on October 28, 2022, at Calvary Grace Church in Surrey. The service will be about an hour, and will feature tributes, songs, a message, and a small reception. Please rsvp to info@m2w2.com if you can attend.
A Big Smile and Deep Chuckle
Dave was among the first group of participants in No One Leaves Alone (NOLA), our community reintegration program. Upon his release in 2019, he began to meet with a circle of volunteers led by M2W2 staff member Allyson Johnson.
“Dave was one the first NOLA participants I worked with,” Allyson said. “I was new to M2W2 at the time, and when I met Dave at the treatment centre, he welcomed me with a big, warm smile and a deep chuckle. He helped me feel at ease in my new job.”
According to Allyson, Dave’s NOLA journey had its ups and downs, yet Dave remained committed to his group. He shared about his struggles trying to reintegrate into community and was open to the advice and wisdom of his NOLA volunteers.
His goal in joining NOLA was to gain access to support and companionship. He said NOLA was an answer to prayer.
“I have so many wonderful memories of Dave,” Allyson said. “Going for coffees, Christmas party celebrations, haircuts, outings to the lake. Each time he would be so grateful and appreciative.”
One memory that stands out to Allyson is the time she met Dave and Ernest, a NOLA volunteer, at Cultus Lake. The two were camping at Maple Bay, with permission from Dave’s parole officer.
“It was like seeing a person experiencing something new. There was such joy and freedom in his expressions and laughter,” Allyson said. “Dave shared stories from his youth and kept thanking us for this wonderful experience away from his halfway house. It was such a joy watching him.”
When Christian Brouwer joined M2W2 in the spring of 2022, he started working with Dave. As the two spent time together, Dave asked Christian if they could study the Bible during their meetings.
Christian plays baseball, and he brought Dave to one of his games. “He loved being around the guys,” Christian said. “He joked that he was going to play centre field. He always displayed his sense of humour even when he was struggling.”
Allyson recalled that Dave would often say that if it wasn’t for NOLA, he wouldn’t be where he was. She said, “I am thankful that in his last year in the community he was stable, secure, and deeply happy in his walk with the Lord.
She said, “I will miss Dave dearly, especially hearing his deep chuckle and seeing his big smile. I know he is finally free and at peace with his maker.”
Dave was 67 years old.