The Nepean Nighthawks are heartbroken to receive the news that we have lost an incredible hockey volunteer, builder, umpire, coach and player. Dave Lovell was instrumental in keeping field hockey alive in Eastern Ontario. In 1975 Dave made a very difficult decision to leave the club he was playing for to join Indo Canada FHC along with Mike Fearon and Victor Willson (Indo Canada became the Nighthawks in 2006).
Dave contributed to his community in a very special way and we will miss him dearly. As young people I am certain we did not understand his effect on our lives but in retrospect he did so much for us. Dave drove us to every practice, match, tournament and tryout. He was there when we needed equipment, uniforms and most importantly he fiercely supported every one of his players as if they were his own kids. When we started playing in adult tournaments he played along side us but never took time from any developing youngster. As we got faster he moved further back in defense and when he felt he could not keep up he started to play goalie, because we didn’t have one and when we got a goalie he became coach/manager/driver/trainer. That was Dave.
Dave coached many high schools, club teams, regional teams in the Ottawa area but that was only a fraction of his contributions. When there was no umpire he picked up the whistle. When there was no manager he pulled out the clipboard. When there was no money he found it.
Dave gave us so much and he never expected anything in return. He never took advantage of us, he never left us in an unsafe situation and from time to time he jumped to our defence. We were so young playing in the best tournaments of the day and he beamed when we outplayed the adults. I would give almost anything to see that look once more.
Dave deserves to be recognized as a legendary field hockey builder in Eastern Ontario and I am certain he is looking down on all the field hockey players in the 613 with the love he showed for decades.
We will miss you Dave, but we will never ever forget what you did for us and we promise we will carry on your beautiful work.
– Sandeep
