DAVID CHARLES WILSON

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DAVID CHARLES WILSON

It is with deep sorrow that his family announces the passing of David Charles Wilson on Monday, November 24, 2025. He was born to Marion and Charles Wilson on July 27, 1937 in the city of Brandon. He is survived by his brother Donald Wilson (Gloria) from Ottawa, brother Elgin Wilson (Edwin Dumont) from Toronto and sister June Thompson from Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his

parents Marion and Charles Wilson, brother John Wilson, sister-in-law Eleanor Wilson, brother-in-law Lorne Thompson, and great niece Julia Wilson.

David received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandon College in 1959, a Certificate in Education in 1960 and a Bachelor of Education in 1962. During this time he was the pianist and choir director for the daily chapel services.

During the 1960’s he served as the executive president for the Brandon committee of Jeunesses Musicales du Canada.

In 1961 David organized the first Manitoba Music Educators’ Midwinter Workshop and he continued to organize the workshops for several years. They involved choirs, orchestras and bands from across Manitoba and they attracted conductors from across Canada and the U.S.

David served as Executive President of the Brandon Festival of the Arts from 1962 to 1963 and remained on its board for a number of years.

David’s teaching career began in 1961 at Vincent Massey High School and he moved to Harrison High School when it opened in 1962. David was always grateful to the students and staff at Harrison for shaping him as a teacher. He immediately became involved with drama which allowed him to introduce students to the world of major productions.

From 1973 to 2002 David taught at Vincent Massey High School where he continued to teach English and Drama. During his career he directed over forty high school musical productions such as My Fair Lady, Oliver, Fiddler on the Roof, Hello, Dolly!, The Fantastics, Toad of Toad Hall, West Side Story, Anne of Green Gables, Brigadoon, Mame, Godspell, The Boyfriend, Cabaret, Camelot, Me and My Girl, 42nd Street, and Crazy for You. He loved allowing students to present their talents to very appreciative audiences.

For sixteen years he took groups of students to Stratford to introduce them to the great playwrights such as Shakespeare and Shaw and they also got to enjoy the odd Blue Jays game and U2 concert.

Recognizing that his students needed serious “public outlets” for the skills he was teaching them, David conceived of Mosaic Massy, an annual Festival of Life and Learning which involved his students and staff members bringing world renowned musicians, writers, politicians, scientists, astronauts and sports figures to mingle with students and teachers from across Manitoba and open to the general public. The Festival included speakers such as Buckminster Fuller, Adrienne Clarkson, Barbara Frum, Peter Kent, Knowlton Nash, Lloyd Robertson, Alex Haley, Alvin Toffler, Ralph Nader, W. O. Mitchell, and Ken Dryden.

From 1976 to 2007 David sat on the Board of the Eckhardt-Gramatte Competition for the Performance of Canadian Music, eventually being named a Life Member.

David retired from his teaching career in 2002 but his years of volunteering did not end there.

In 2007 he joined Jean Pickard to organize the Retired Educators’ Museum as part of Brandon’s 125th Anniversary.

In 2008 he chaired the committee that planned the Manitoba Heritage Tattoo patterned after the Edinburgh Festival Tattoo which David had attended.

From 2009 to 2019 David chaired the committee for Augustfest which involved inviting musicians whose early training in Southwestern Manitoba and Brandon to perform concerts. The performers came from all over the world and included singers, pianists, string players and wind players.

For many years David was the music director at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.

In 1991 David was invested with the Order of Canada, in 2002 he received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and in 2012 he received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.

In 2010 Vincent Massey High School named its Lecture Theatre the David C. Wilson Theatre.

In 2019 David received the Award of Lifetime Achievement from Brandon University.

From his days in high school on and throughout his life David spent most of his time volunteering for activities which he truly believed in and which he felt had the greatest effect on other people. His contributions in the field of education and music helped to shape the lives of many young people and for this he felt truly rewarded.

A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Condolences: www.brockiedonovan.com

As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 29, 2025