It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of David ‘Dave’ Fullerton, age 80, of Sackville. Dave passed away peacefully at the Drew Nursing Home on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

Born in Middle Sackville on July 18, 1943, he was a son of the late Margaret ‘Marcie’ (Morice) Fullerton and Charles Fullerton.

Raised as an only child by two very strong women - his mother, Marcie, and his grandmother, Edith - in the beautiful Middle Sackville home in which he was born, Dave’s early years were filled with family and friends, and baseball in summer and skating on the Pond in winter. His late uncles, William ‘Bill’ and Jack ‘Jackie’ Morice, were also very important role models in his formative years. 

Following graduation from Mount Allison University in 1967, Dave pursued a teaching degree at Dalhousie University. Teaching was his true calling and, for over thirty years, he worked as a Social Studies and History teacher at Amherst Regional High School (ARHS), touching the lives of many with his inspired and entertaining style of teaching and a sincere interest in all of his students. Dave wasn’t afraid to lose the teacher veneer and don other roles in the classroom, often dressing in costume and jumping on desks to role-play historic figures and speeches. Music was also important in his lessons, and one role he loved playing for the entire school was Greasy Dave, lead singer of the teacher band Greasy Dave & The Dipsticks, which would perform at talent shows at ARHS. Back in the day, students were known to stand on chairs in anticipation of a Dipsticks performance, chanting "GREASY DAVE! GREASY DAVE!"

Dave also brought his stage presence to the local sporting community. With Sackville Minor Baseball, he umpired for many years and made many a player, coach, parent, and spectator laugh with his antics behind the plate. In the rink, Dave managed various high school and minor hockey squads, where he was commended not only for his organizational skills but also for his killer air guitar.   

Since his retirement in 2003, volunteerism and community were essential elements of his life with Diane. They served together for many years on the board of Live Bait Theatre and, from October 12, 2004 until June 23, 2022, Dave was the Town Crier for the Town of Sackville, a role he very much enjoyed. An active member of Sackville United Church since he and Diane moved back to Sackville in the mid-1970s, he contributed in various ways to the life of the church.

Traveling with Diane and their close friends - essentially the brothers and sisters he’d never had growing up - was also something that Dave enjoyed after his long career of teaching. Riverboat cruises in Europe, Ireland and the UK, road trips to Virginia and South Carolina, a two-week sojourn to Japan where he wowed crowds of strangers with his karaoke prowess … these were just some of Dave’s many adventures. 

Dave will be dearly missed by his wife of nearly fifty-five years, Diane, Sackville; children Kathryn (Mike) Steeves, Collingwood, ON; Matthew (Margaret Sadler), Dieppe, NB; Merrill (Elizabeth), Sackville; six grandchildren, Ellie, Paige, Celia, Sophie, Marianne, and Simon; and many Morice cousins and their families.

Visitation arrangements have been entrusted to Jones Funeral Home, 70 Bridge St., Sackville, NB, where visiting hours will take place on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 4 pm to 7 pm. Dave’s funeral service will take place at Sackville United Church on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 2 pm, Rev. Lloyd Bruce officiating. Burial will take place in the Sackville Cemetery.

Donations in Dave's memory may be given to the Alzheimer's Society, local youth sports, or a charity of your choice.

The family would like to thank Dave’s special friend Kathy Wry for her devoted care during his long illness, as well as the staff and residents of the Drew Nursing Home for the comfort and sense of community they created in Dave’s final months. The family also appreciates all friends and family who reached out with support during this difficult time. 

Sharing of memories and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the online memorial at www.jonesfuneralhome.ca or through the Jones Funeral Home Facebook page.