Remembering Dave Savoie

VE7IDU · Silent Key

David Alexandre Savoie was known to local amateurs simply as Dave. Amateur radio was where he found friendship, conversation, and a community that accepted him warmly. His distinctive voice and his own unmistakable way of speaking made him instantly recognizable on the air.

Dave was a faithful presence on 2-metre radio nets. Those who listened or checked in came to expect his call, and his absence after he became a Silent Key was deeply felt.

Dave and the amateur-radio community

Dave earned his Canadian Certificate of Proficiency in Amateur Radio on April 1, 2000, receiving the call sign VE7IDU. The certificate records his full name, David Alexandre Savoie, and his Basic qualification. Published amateur-radio Silent Key listings remember him as a Burnaby operator, age 74, who died in October 2015.

As of July 2026, VE7IDU has not been reissued. For those who knew Dave, the call sign remains a small but meaningful part of his memory.

A personal remembrance: the memories on this page of Dave’s voice, his participation in 2-metre nets, and the gathering after his passing are shared by friends who knew him on the air and in person.

A well-attended celebration of life

Dave’s celebration of life, held on October 31, 2015, brought together family, friends, and many local amateur-radio operators. The small church parking lot was full; as people drove in, they were directed to parking elsewhere, and some—including the writer of this remembrance—parked several blocks away. The turnout spoke clearly of the place Dave held in the community.

Guests gathered after Dave's celebration of life — Friends and family gathering after the service.

Memorial display of David Savoie's amateur radio certificate and VE7IDU items — Dave’s certificate, licence documents, club name badges, and VE7IDU memorabilia.

Memorial table with bowling pins, photographs, and Dave's personal items — A table of photographs and items representing Dave’s life, including his bowling memories.

Second view of the memorial table — Another view of the remembrance table, prepared with care by those who loved him.

More than a call sign

The photographs remember a man with interests and milestones beyond the radio: his 1957 school diploma, his bowling team, and a handwritten set of practical reminders. Together they give a fuller picture of Dave—an individual whose personality and presence mattered to the people around him.

David Savoie's Macdonald School diploma dated June 1957 — Dave’s 1957 diploma from Macdonald School.

Industry Canada amateur radio certificate issued to David Alexandre Savoie for VE7IDU — Industry Canada Certificate of Proficiency in Amateur Radio, issued April 1, 2000.

Dave Savoie in a blue shirt with his bowling team and trophy — Dave’s bowling team. Dave is the person wearing the blue shirt.

Dave's handwritten instructions and reminders for everyday life — A handwritten note of everyday reminders, preserved as part of Dave’s personal story.

Sources and record notes

Radio Amateurs of Canada, The Canadian Amateur, January–February 2016 — Silent Key listing for VE7IDU, Dave Savoie of Burnaby.
VE3DDQ Silent Keys list — listing for VE7IDU, Dave Savoie, Burnaby.
BCPSN Report, October 2015 — contemporary notice of Dave becoming a Silent Key.
Personal photographs and memories supplied by Dave’s friends and local amateur-radio community.

Note: published notices and the memorial image differ slightly on Dave’s reported October 2015 date of passing. This page preserves the date shown in the family memorial image while citing the published radio records separately.