We lost Dave Wallace today.  Dave touched the lives of hundreds of players and their families on Vancouver Island and across BC.  In the 23 years that Dave coached the Royals, he demanded that his players play with enthusiasm, grit, and determination.  Dave was a competitor and hated to lose.  At the same time, in over 20 years of coaching, he always put the long-term development of the players ahead of short-term victories.  He encouraged his players to put their best effort into everything they did on the field, at school, at life.  Dave believed you don’t take shortcuts because it shows up in the results.  Always.

We send our heart-felt condolences to Judy and his family.   Thank you for sharing him with us.

All photos courtesy James Clarke.

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David Graham Wallace

August 12, 1950 – November 30, 2020
Dave is survived by his loving wife Judy Wallace, son Chris Wallace (Kirstie), Daughter Kim Wallace (Shawn Fiddick), Grandson Riley Wallace, brother Bruce Wallace and sister Anne Barrett.
Dave worked as a BC land surveyor for 40 years, receiving his commission in 1979. He was a partner with JE Anderson & Associates and was a driving force in expansion into Nanaimo in 1980 and Parksville in 2005. Dave’s big personality and passion for land surveying and land development was respected by his clients, government officials and his JEA family.
Dave served as an executive member and president of District 69 Minor Hockey Association from 1982 to 1991. Dave was most likely known for his countless volunteer hours with Oceanside Minor Baseball and the Parksville Royals, as a little league coach (1988 -1992), President of Oceanside Minor Baseball (1992 – 1994) and head coach of the Parksville Royals (1994 – 2016).
Dave was also involved in the creation of the 5 team Island Premier Baseball League and what is now known today as the Premier Baseball League grown into 3 divisions and 28 teams. Dave’s tireless commitment enabled thousands of players an avenue to play a higher level of baseball, with many going on to play at the collegiate and professional levels.
Dave was a generous man who would always give more than he would ever expect in return. His family was incredibly important to him as was spending time with friends socializing whether at work or play. In particular, he loved hosting the annual Wallace Christmas party, trips to Maui with his family and road trips with his wife Judy to Arizona to watch spring training camps.
His family would like to honour his legacy through an annual Royal’s scholarship that will provide an opportunity for a child to participate, who otherwise wouldn’t be financially able. Dave always believed it should be about the game and kids getting to play it.
Should you wish to contribute to the Dave Wallace Scholarship, please send funds to ‘Parksville Royals Baseball Club’ via cheque (mailed to: P.O. Box 138, Qualicum Beach, V9K 1S7) or e-transfer to parksville.royals.baseball@gmail.com (note in memo ‘Dave Wallace Scholarship’).
Special thank you to the Comox Valley Regional Hospital & Nanaimo Cancer Clinic.