David James LaPierre crossed his final finish line in the early hours of May 24, 2026, with his devoted wife, Dolly, at his side. They were a team until the very end.

In his lifetime as an ultra distance runner, David covered many thousands of kilometers (over 740 km in a six-day race, and over 1,450 km in a 15-day race, just two of countless examples) and he set Canadian records for endurance races along the way.

In 1981, after running the Vancouver Marathon, he was introduced to Dolly after Mass at the Holy Rosary Cathedral, and a friendship developed. They were married in 1988.

David was born September 18, 1940 in Gonic, NH to Gerald and Antoinette (Bilodeau) LaPierre and grew up in Rochester, NH, the second of three children. Predeceased by his parents, and his beloved brother, Guy Gideon LaPierre.

He was in the US Army signal corps, working as a radio operator after being sent to Vietnam from 1963 to 1965, and was highly valued for his volunteer work as the chaplain’s assistant while he was there. He was an excellent photographer and took many photos during this time.

David was an outstanding natural athlete his whole life…from Little League baseball, to high school football and college cross country running. He achieved local fame for his many accomplishments as a competitive boxer. He ran his first marathon in 1967, marking the official beginning of a lifelong dedication to the sport.

David moved to Canada in 1975 with his young family to work as a teacher. They became Canadian citizens, returning to his family’s French Canadian roots. “Mr. L.” was an inventive and much-loved school teacher in Donnelly, Grande Cache and Ft. McMurray, Alberta. After moving to Vancouver in 1985, he owned and operated a small cartage business until 2008, making many friendships in the course of these years.

David had a lifetime-treasured friendship with his sister Marcia. His visits with her and her family in Bristol, NH were annual highlights. Predeceased by his brother-in-law, Dennis Loft, he is remembered with love by Marcia, niece Lisa Newton (Matthew) and her children Emily and Evan, and nephews Joel and Michael Loft.

David was the very proud father of Michelle Fox (Ky) of Salt Spring Island, BC and Andre LaPierre (Birgit Wunsch) of St. Albert, AB. His grandchildren were a pure joy to him: Jacob (Anni Wang), Jessica and Benjamin Adelson; Finnian, Ayla and Saskia LaPierre; Oscar and Violet Fox.

David died in the hospital at peace, surrounded and supported by love from his family.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, June 5 at St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Vancouver, with interment at Gardens of Gethsemani to be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to a charity of your choosing, or a tree planted in remembrance of him. His favourite tree was a maple.

Assisting the family with arrangements is Arbutus Funeral Service of Vancouver, BC.