It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dave Dryden of complications from CTEPH surgery. Survived by his wife Sandra (nee Bailey); children Greg and Debbie (Sieg); 6 loving grandchildren: Jeff, Chris, Kevin, Jenn, Theo, Anaka; siblings Ken (Lynda), Judy and their families.

Dave was born in Hamilton, Ontario to Murray and Margaret Dryden, loving parents who instilled in Dave a strong work ethic and a commitment to making the world a better place.

At 6 years of age Dave's brother Ken was born and the bond between brothers began.  Judy joined the brothers a few years later. All three siblings have remained close and Dave took great joy in spending time at the cottage with their families and their grandkids. The pandemic brought with it not-to-be-missed Zoom calls every Sunday night. Dave loved seeing not only his children and grandchildren on the call, but also his siblings' kids and their grandkids, who called him Great Dave.

Dave's early years were spent in Etobicoke where he distinguished himself as an  athlete.  It was at Etobicoke Collegiate in chemistry class that he met his "sweet", his wife of 59 years, Sandra. When they married in 1962, little did Sandra know what adventures Dave would take her on. She married a steady school teacher, so when Dave was called up to the NHL and WHA a few years into their marriage, their life together took on a new trajectory.  Dave saw the fun in challenging himself in small and large ways, and so saw this new challenge of becoming a professional athlete as a wonderful opportunity.

With their children Greg and Debbie in tow, off they went to Chicago (Chicago Blackhawks), Buffalo (Buffalo Sabres), Chicago (Chicago Cougars) and Edmonton (Edmonton Oilers).  During those years in the crease as a goalie, Dave analyzed his goalie mask and ultimately created the template for what is now the norm in modern hockey, the mask-cage combination goalie mask. When Dave retired from playing goal, the family settled in Oakville where they could more easily spend time with extended family once again.

Oakville brought Dave back to his first career, education, where he was passionate about creating strategies for children to learn, especially those in his special education classroom. Finishing his Masters in Education, he retired as an elementary school principal and continued his many journeys with his wife Sandra. They traveled around the globe, moving forward together, always observing, always learning.

As a lifetime competitor, Dave remained active in many sports with daily workouts at the gym, pickleball, tennis tournaments at the cottage and speedskating with his granddaughter.  As a lifetime analyst of all sports, Dave also was an NHL consultant on hockey equipment, concussions and safety in the game.

While sports were always a huge part of Dave's life, in these later years Dave's primary work focus was volunteering for the charity which his parents founded in 1970, Sleeping Children Around the World. Dave cared deeply about the charity, loving his involvement with the global community of SCAW. And because of the way he cared- with intellect and insight and genuine compassion- he made others want to care too. Whether in the home, the sports arena, the classroom, or the Sleeping Children boardroom, Dave was able to bridge generations in a remarkable way; not only did he make his parents proud, he also made his wife, his children and his grandchildren proud.

Dave was always engaged, busy in the world around him, but he always had time for people important to him. He cared about people, and most especially he cared about his family. He made each and every one of his family feel listened to, appreciated, and loved. His grandchildren meant the world to him, and they adored every game of catch, every long walk and every ice cream moment they got to share with their Grandpa/ "Bigs".

An academic, an athlete, an educator, an innovator, a humanitarian, but most of all a family man- husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather. We will miss him greatly.

The visitation will take place at Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, Oakville on Sunday October 9 ^th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Sleeping Children Around the World.