July 16, 1935 - May 5, 2024
Reverend Canon David Arthur Pritchard was born on July 16, 1935 in Vernon, BC.
He passed on May 5, 2024 in Manzini, Eswatini (Swaziland).
He was predeceased by his wives Beatrice in 2021 and Cyndie in 2001.
He is survived by his Canadian children Kathy (Collin) and Michael (Gillian); his Swazi children Buhle, Paul (Kylea), Mary (Logan) and Martha (JP); his 6 grandchildren (Theresa, Jenna, Emma, Pixie, Atlas and Solairis) and his 2 great grandchildren (Quinton and Revlyn) all living in Canada.
David obtained a bachelor degree in education in 1963 and spent 25 years in Canada as a teacher, principal, school superintendent and finally as deputy minister of education in the Yukon. In 1981 he answered God's call to Priesthood and pursued his master of divinity degree. For many years he was a parish priest both in Canada and Eswatini.
In 1987 he went to Eswatini as an Anglican church missionary. In 1990 he became the first executive director of the Council of Smoking Alcohol and Drugs (COSAD). The work of COSAD helped those wanting to leave their addictions and pursue treatment in South Africa.
In 2001 his wife Cyndie passed which prompted his return to Whitehorse in 2002 as a single parent to raise his 4 Swazi children.
In 2004 David founded the Swaziland Education Trust Society (SETS). Thousands of dollars were raised in the Yukon to pay for school fees for Swazi children who would otherwise not receive an education.
Thanks to the efforts of SETS more than 35 children received an education for grades 1 to 12. With the generosity of many Yukoners one of David's proudest achievements was to build a house for a single mother that was living in poverty in Eswatini.
Even though he returned to Canada on many occasions his heart remained in Eswatini. He was honoured by being given the name Thandabantu which means loving people and serving them. This name was very appropriate given he was a life long humanitarian and philanthropist.
Until his last breath he continued to help people in need. He has been laid to rest In Manzini, Eswatini next to his wife Cyndie in the country he loved.