David Hawthorne

Mr. G. David Hawthorne passed away peacefully in his sleep
in the early morning hours of April 9/09 after a lengthy and
courageous battle with cancer and parkinsons.

He is survived by Kathy Hawthorne, his wife of 35 wonderful
years, daughter and son-in-law Jan and Art DeLaurier,
granddaughters, Lisa Armstrong and Jenny DeLaurier, great-
grandson, Noah Armstrong, brother and sister-in-law Don and
Fran Hawthorne, sister and brother-in-law Carol and Harry
Arkinstall, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and other
extended family.

He was predeceased by his two sons, Norman Hawthorne (1992),
David Craig Hawthorne (1990), Grandson Mark DeLaurier
(1994), granddaughter Michelle DeLaurier (1983) as well as
his parents Clyde (1983) and Doris (1993) Hawthorne.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Dave had a very
active and fruitful life. When he was in his early teens he
went up to Dawson City, Yukon to live with his aunt and
uncle where he learned the craft of jewelry making. He
carved ivory dogwoods out of Mastodon tusks and made various
pieces of jewelry from the gold nuggets found in the area.

After leaving the Yukon, Dave returned to Vancouver where he
attended Vancouver Technical to take up watch making. He was
then hired by Canada's largest jewelry chain, Birks of
Canada, and settled into family life in Victoria, BC. After
several years, and the births of his three children, Dave
turned his attention to home building. An exceptionally
talented carpenter and contractor, he became very well known
in the construction industry in his hometown and spent many
years as a business entrepreneur at the head of his own
company. He also worked for the Naval Fire Department for 5
years and volunteered during his 'free' time as a
firefighter for the View Royal Fire Department.

His passion for building and designing eventually turned his
eyes toward museums which took him to various parts of the
United States, Canada and Spain.

In January 1973, he and Kathy moved to Atlanta to build and
operate the Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum in Underground
Atlanta until 1979. Dave and Kathy then moved to Alpine
Helen and built "The Castle" on the Chattahoochee River
which housed the Castle Inn and the Museum of the Hills.
David became very involved with the community, serving 4-
year terms on both the Helen Chamber of Commerce and the
Helen Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as being a
member of many other committees. Always enjoying the
outdoors and the water, Dave and Kathy built their home on
Lake Lanier where they spent countless hours boating,
enjoying water sports and relaxing with friends when they
weren't working. Dave finally decided in 1998 to enjoy full-
time 'retirement' at home, where he spent his
time "cheerfully" helping Kathy with gardening tasks and his
friends with their own home repairs and renovations.

His smiling face, twinkling eyes, and warm embrace will be
greatly missed not only by his family and close friends but
by all who knew him.

Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday April 14,
2009 from 6-8 p.m. at Mason & Ward Funeral Home. A Memorial
service to celebrate Dave's life is planned for Wednesday
April 15, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of First United
Methodist Church on Thompson Bridge Road, Rev. Tom Jones and
Jeff Ash will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may
be made in David's name to either, Hospice of Northeast
Georgia Medical Center, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Gainesville,
GA. 30564; The Salvation Army 711 Dorsey Street,
Gainesville, GA. 30501 or to the Hall County Humane Society
845 West Ridge Road, Gainesville, GA. 30501.

online condolences may be sent to
masonandwardfuneralhomeandcremation.com

Mason and Ward Funeral Home, 1190 McEver Road, 770-287-0220.