David Anthony Sauvé

David Anthony Sauvé was born to parents Francis and Irene Sauvé on September 9, 1945 in Bay City Michigan, and passed away on January 23, 2023 in Placerville, California. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years Julie, and daughter Lindsay and spouse Peter, son Daniel and spouse Christina, and son Benjamin, as well as his siblings Paul Sauvé, Kathy Smock, Thomas Sauvé, and Jeanne Sharpy, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends, colleagues, and comrades.

Dave is best remembered for the fullness of the life he lived, accruing a vibrant range of interests, experiences, and talents that he loved to share with those important to him in life, of whom there were many. As a child and young man in Detroit, Dave grew a passion for cars (the "Motor City"), a love for music ("Motown" and later Detroit Rock n' Roll), and a fandom for baseball and ice hockey. Dave was drafted into the US Army in 1966 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam, a formative experience from which he took with him a lifelong dedication to duty, service, and compassion for all people. Dave remained active as an enthusiastic and essential life member of VFW Post 10165. He served as a board member of several veteran's service organizations, and was honored as the 2023 El Dorado County Veteran of the Year.

Following his military service Dave completed his degree in fine arts at Wayne State University, where he developed his passion and talent for photography and journalism, and appreciation for art of all forms. Fed up with the frigid winters of Michigan, Dave struck out west for California, settling in Venice Beach, where he was able to live his dream with an apartment on the beach, sunny days playing volleyball, and trips to his favorite place to be in nature, Death Valley.

In his 32 year career with the US Postal Service, he formed lifelong friendships with co-workers from Michigan to Venice to Shingle Springs where he retired in 2004. Dave was so skilled at so many of the tasks he put his mind to that he forayed into a variety of "side gigs," including work as a handyman in Santa Rosa, California, where he met his wife Julie in 1982. Dave and Julie moved with daughter Lindsay to El Dorado County in 1985 where he found a community that he was proud to call home and raise a family in. He loved the open road, taking the family on weeks long car camping trips throughout the American west, and eventually visiting all 50 US States; he loved sunsets over the fields and oaks of the gold country, and sunrises soaking in his hot tub. He was sharp and intellectual until the end, a dedicated Jeopardy fan and voracious reader, routinely consuming three newspapers per day. He was kind, caring, thoughtful and generous, always remembering "those less fortunate than us" at every family meal.

As Dave would say for all the service men and women, friends, and family that went before him, he is "gone but not forgotten."

A Celebration of Life will be held at Shingle Springs Community Center on May 13, 2023 at 11 AM. Remembrances may be made to the charity of your choice.