Fred Langan 

David Dawes, who has died just shy of his 81st birthday, was a well-known jeweller and store owner in Knowlton, president of the museum and a member of the old merchants association. Dave, as he was always known, was born in Montreal, where his family owned and operated Black Horse Brewery. 

After school, Dave worked in several jobs and then started work at Birks, the Montreal- based store, eventually rising to be the manager of its store in the Rockland Shopping Center.  In the late 1960s, he moved to Knowlton and bought the Bolton Pass Inn, now the Knowlton Pub, the first of his many businesses in Knowlton. He then opened a small clothing store in a building across the street from where he operated for the last few decades. 

In 1974 Dave and Barbara Hodorowski were married. They operated The Shack, a clothing store, but people knew of Dave’s experience at Birks. “They kept coming in with questions about jewellery and watch repairs,” says Barbara. So it became also a jewellery store. Dave Dawes threw himself into volunteer life. He was a member of the Lion’s Club and an active member of the volunteer fire department, where he was a lieutenant and in charge of the portable breathing apparatus. “As a volunteer fireman, he enjoyed visiting local elementary schools to teach children about fire safety,” says his daughter Angelina. 

“He was very passionate about the museum and, in particular, preserving the Fokker plane,” says his wife, Barbara. “Dave loved Knowlton and cared about its success.” 

Dave managed the small blue tourist booth across the street from his shop. And for those who knew him, he was a great talker and storyteller. Dave Dawes is survived by his wife, Barbara and his daughter Angelina.