David Charles Little

Upbeat, short and sweet, and out the door.

Those were the instructions David Little gave brother-in-law John Swainson when he asked him to officiate at his funeral.

To those who knew him best, those directions - along with one of David’s music choices for the ceremony, Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry, Be Happy - defines David in life and business.

Upbeat, short and sweet, and out the door.

David Charles Little, 73, passed away peacefully in Huntsville District Memorial Hospital on Oct., 22, 2024, with his family by his side.

As with everything else he did in life, it was on his own terms.

David is survived by Susan, his teenage sweetheart and wife of 53 years, daughter Tracey and husband Andre Dupuis, son David James (Jim) and wife Elizabeth Bennett, and son Jarrett and wife Julie Little, grandchildren Cohen, Hannah, Quinn and Aubrey, and loving sister Sandra and husband Cal Shannon and family, sisters-in-law, Gail (John), Donna (Klaus) and Anne (John) and many nieces and nephews.

David was predeceased by sister Marsha (Ken) and brothers James (Jimmy) and Stephen (Patricia), mother Mary and father Harvey and stepmother Ella.

As a dedicated Union sheet metal worker for more than 50 years, David, along with Susan, started David C Little Contracting Inc., which they operated for 35 years. It was his hard work and dedication that led to their ongoing business successes.

Aside from being a hard worker, David was a quietly generous and charitable member of the community, always putting everyone else ahead of himself. He loved to show everyone a good time when hosting, trading barbs and jokes with all.

David was an avid fisherman, hunter, outdoorsman, traveler and dedicated conservationist. He loved being outdoors up north, whether at the family cabin, cottage or hunt camp, and as a workaholic, was just discovering the joys of retirement with Susan at their dream home on Lake Vernon in Huntsville, where he loved snowmobiling and boating.

But most of all, David was a devoted family man, who loved being a doting, fun grandpa, most often as the biggest kid in the room.

Accolades from friends, co-workers, business associates and family are pouring in, with all those fortunate enough to have known David being touched by his presence. Through all these people, David will always live on in our memories.

He is best described by one family member who said “We are all better for having known David.”

The family wishes to send a special thank you to Dr. Harrold, Nurse Practitioners Jane and Adara, the Palliative Care team, the Emergency Room and Nurse Nancy at the Huntsville Hospital for their care, empathy, and compassion.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at Billingsley Funeral Home, 430 Ravenscliffe Road, Huntsville from 11:00 a.m. until time of service in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation at https://huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca/donate/ and or Canadian Lung Association at https://www.lung.ca/donate. For those unable to attend, livestreaming is available and can be accessed on the funeral home website. Messages of condolence can be left at www.billingsleyfuneralhome.com