www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 11, 2009 - 11 Saluting an officer, father and friend By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF David Carter will be taking a path straight to heaven, according to his widow Zaimene Carter. The former Metro Toronto police officer of 31 years and father of three passed away in his sleep on Jan. 29. He was 69. On Feb. 3, traffic through Oakville stopped as three Metro Toronto Police cruisers and four from the Halton Regional Police Service joined Carter's funeral procession -- passing by his Oakville home of 35 years on Colchester Drive and pausing for two minutes David Carter before moving on to Glen Oaks Memorial Gardens. "I would never be able to There were bagpipes and an replace him, ever, ever. honour guard. Fittingly, Carter's final resting He was my best, best friend place is on the same land that he and the only best friend I ever had." owned as a hobby farm. "His journey will be straight to heaven, there wouldn't be any Zaimene Carter detour for him," said Zaimene through tears. "I would never be able to replace him, ever, ever. He was my best, best friend and the only best friend I ever had," said Zaimene. A big man, who stood 6-foot-5, and pursued a career that ran in his Carter was described as Gentle Ben family -- Zaimene said his brother by his wife, who had come to and sister were also police officers in Canada to attend the University of England -- Carter had originally Toronto from a convent in Trinidad studied agriculture in university and it was always his first love. when she met Carter. That's where his hobby farming, Just over a year later they marwhich Carter did for 20 years, came in. ried and Zaimene never returned to "He never made any money at it, the convent. but he loved farming and animals," "They weren't very happy with said Zaimene. me," she smiled through tears. Carter owned about 70 cows, a The couple settled in Oakville trio of horses, some sheep and one and never moved from the house they purchased. They raised three bull named Charlie. "They were good friends," said children -- Michele, Anita and Zaimene, confiding that Charlie Brendan -- and boast 11 grandchildren ranging in age from 11 years "used to get drunk." Apparently, to six months. None of their chil- Charlie had an affinity for the dren has moved farther than apples that would ferment on the Burlington and Carter was known property and ate too many. to his grandchildren as Papa, Buba Zaimene recalled how once she called her husband and told him and Grandpa. "I wish we'd had some bad times Charlie had died because he was and then it wouldn't hurt so much not moving, but then she saw the now, but he was such a good per- bull's eye move. "He was just drunk," she said. son," said Zaimene. Carter gave up the hobby farm Carter lived a full life that includand retired from the police service ed a love of Elvis Presley's music and with a singing voice of his own, 12 years ago when vacation travel Carter had come to be known as took the spotlight in his life. Over his policing career, Carter "The King" at the Irish Club of worked at Toronto's 14, 52 and 54 Mississauga where the couple had joined at the behest of friends as one divisions. He also served on the board of directors of the Toronto of the few non-Irish members . Carter was born in Birmingham, police association and many comEngland in 1939, but after bombing mittees that included health and in the Second World War drove safety, clothing, planning, facilities, people into the countryside, he probation, pension, race relations grew up in the Cotswold area before and more. As chair of the police associaattending college in Oxford. tion's concert committee, Carter After travelling to Australia and New Zealand, Carter arrived in brought in Pink Floyd for a concert, Canada in 1967 in time to take in which raised $324,000 for Toronto's Expo '67 and land a job with the Hugh McMillan Centre. "David loved Oakville," said Toronto police. Zaimene, noting that he also got Though he attended police college involved in local politics and was friends with Otto Jelinek, Keith Bird, Harry Barrett, Kevin Flynn and the late Norm Connelly. Carter served on the Town of Oakville's tree and traffic committees bringing his agricultural and police background to bear. Carter was a past member of the Oakville Legion Branch 114, past vice president of the Lion Rampart Club and a past member of the British Club. More than 400 people saluted Carter through visitation and his funeral service at St. Cuthbert's Church. The service included renditions of What a Wonderful World, The Wonder of You, Amazing Grace and My Way. While The Wonder of You was the first song Carter ever sang to his wife -- and repeatedly did so over the years -- he also made the journey of his life his way. "He always did things his way, he was different," said Zaimene. "If he believed something was right, he would fight to the end and wouldn't give up. He wouldn't lie to you, he was very honest," said Zaimene, adding that he didn't care if he incurred the wrath of management if he was fighting for something he believed in for members of the police service. During his career he received three Governor General's awards. "He was a very, very loving, sweet person. He was a generous person and he never got mad," said Zaimene, noting sometimes she was afraid to ask for something -- because she knew that no matter what, he would try to secure it for her. He also extended a helping hand to others -- and the couple had a lot of "good, good friends" as witnessed by the many hundreds of people who have expressed condolences and offered a helping hand since Carter's unexpected death. Zaimene said she cannot thank the Metro or Halton police enough for their efforts at Carter's funeral service and beyond. "My Dad ... You were a man of character, strength, wisdom and laughter. You were loving, caring, secure and honest. You were the leader, creator and supporter of our family. You could make a dream a reality. You were my rock, my listener, my hero," said Michele Joly at her dad's funeral. Al Ziesman, Carter's best friend said of his friend, LIVE @ LESS THAN LEVEL Friday February 13, 2009 $ Mondays are 5 a Pound Wings! 905-842-9009 Less Than Level · 381 Kerr Street, Oakville Open Mon.-Sun. 5pm-2am 4 Drinks on Saturdays $ For all your sports and entertainment needs. Warm your Hearth this Valentines Savings up to $300.00 on select models. See store for details. "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905-337-2066 See A hero page 13 STUDIO ONE DESIGN & BUILD INC. March Break Camp BASEMENTS ADDITIONS WINDOWS · Licensed · Insured · WSIB March 16th-20th, 9:00am-3:30pm For campers age 5 - 12 Full and half day camps available Extended care available from 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM Spaces are limited! Drama, Dance, Fine Arts, Crafts, Games, Musical Theatre and much, much more! Over 20 years experience Featured contractor on popular home revovation show Registration on Now Offering The Finest in Arts Exploration and Development! 905-257-3092 Call for a Free Estimate 1011 Upper Middle Road & Eighth Line, Oakville, Ontario L6H 4L5 Phone: 905.844.ARTS (2787) www.oakvilleacademy.com