David Avard Illsley

David Avard Illsley, age 81, of Edgewater, Florida, passed away Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at Advent Health New Smyrna in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, after a long illness.

David was born March 7, 1942, in Middleton Nova Scotia, Canada, a son of Avard and Hazel Pineo Illsley. He moved to this area in 1987 from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He married the love of his life, Marian Keppel Smith. David had been employed as an Artist/Cartoonist/Videographer, in TV, newspapers, and educational venues in various cities. He won the First-Place award for the video, The Potion, in the Drama division from the Association of Cinematic & Video Arts, as well as the Silver Award in a state competition for Joyride, another video he created. In addition to drawing, he enjoyed traveling, as well as writing, both poetry and stories.   

A devout Christian, he was active in First United Methodist, Space Coast Baptist and Edgewater Union churches.

Left to mourn him beside his wife, Marian, are his dog, Ali'i, as well as friends and family, including granddaughter, Adrienne Stevens-Kivell (Chris). 

Many thanks to the entire staff on the 4th Floor (ICU and PCU) at Advent Health, New Smyrna Beach, who went above and beyond to care for him during his many stays there over the years.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 12 at 2:00 P.M. in the First United Methodist Church of New Smyrna Beach. 

Memorial donations may be made to the church of your choice or the Shriner's Hospitals for Children.

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