David Michael Desmarais

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend, Dave Desmarais. David passed unexpectedly in the morning on September 24th with his wife, Gina, by his side. Dave was born in Yakima on July 28th, 1953, and spent 72 years of his life living in the Yakima Valley, where he was a loving father to his daughter, Macy Desmarais, and a devoted, adoring husband to his wife, Gina Desmarais. Dave and Gina, who dated in their younger years, were the best of friends who reunited, and married exactly three years prior to his death. Together, they found mutual love for the mountains, their close group of friends, hosting dinners for worthy causes, and traveling to their Arizona home.

Dave attended Naches High School and after graduating built his fruit brokerage business, centered in the Yakima area, which sustained him throughout his life. He was an inspiration and mentor to many in the community he served. He had a firm, unwavering dedication to family, friends, and all those close to him. His home was the hub of reunions and fund raisers, laughter and long conversations. Dave united people and found a way to make everyone feel special. He was very hard-working and very dedicated to his daughter, Macy. He was one of a kind in all he did.

When Dave was not working, he used his time to pursue his passion for golf, long-standing weekly lunches with friends, and for the magic of the mountains near and dear to him. On the weekends you could find him exploring Chinook pass, whether it was in 4-wheel drive cars, snowmobiles, or side-by-sides for tough terrain. In his earlier years, he could be found exploring White Pass, Whistler, among others, on skis. As for his golf game, let's just say his two practice swings were always better than the real ones.

Dave was very generous with a soft spot for those who were underprivileged. He was a self-made man who learned firsthand what it was like to struggle financially. When he was a young child, David witnessed the kindness of others supporting his family through community members dropping off food and clothing during Christmas. He then vowed to never forget that kindness, lesson, and would do everything in his power to make sure his family and others never had to feel the same way. His contributions to the community continued to enrich everyone who knew him. Dave was instrumental in helping to develop Clemans View Sports Park, and he spent countless hours on the board for Dollars for Scholars. His philanthropy extended to Rod's House, Nile Valley Fire Department, Yakima Ski Benders, and numerous other charitable works. Dave and Gina were devoted members of St. John Parish in Naches, and he proudly served on the Parish Council. He will be profoundly missed by those he helped along the way.

Aside from raising a daughter to appreciate hard work, who is now successful in her own right, we believe Dave's proudest achievements would be uniting family and friends, and the successful business he built over the many years as a fruit broker/fieldman and trader, on his own, from the ground up.

Dave is preceded in death by his parents, Patricia and Moise Desmarais, siblings, Mary Rust (Dick), Fred Prior (Charie), Greg Prior, Cyrl Desmarais and Rochelle/Chelle Rush (Don). He is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Gina, daughter, Macy, stepdaughter, Genny, golden doodle, Mandy, and his brother, Dick Prior (Maggy) and too many nieces and nephews to count.

Dave's life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, October 3rd, at 10AM at Holy Family in Yakima. A reception will be following at 11:30AM at the Yakima Country Club.

Brookside Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at brooksidefuneral.com.