David Hagborg Obituary
David Walter Hagborg
November 12, 1944 – September 25, 2025
BSc. (1966, Math/Physics), BA. (1976, Economics/Computer Science), BComm. Honours (2007, Accounting/Finance)
On Thursday, September 25th at 10:26 a.m., at the age of Four Score, David Walter Hagborg walked home with Jesus. His faith and his voice remained strong and he sang with us until he could not sing anymore. He undoubtedly has already joined the heavenly chorus as their most reliable bass.
David was born in the Rural Municipality of Fort Garry Nov. 12, 1944, the son of Mary and Professor Walter Hagborg and met his reward 40 miles west in the R.M. of Dufferin. In between he had several careers ranging from heading the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Fishery Data Centre in Rome, to owning and operating the Dor-Ed Drive-In restaurant in the R.M. of Brokenhead. After 25 years in the Federal Service, including stints in Brandon, Ottawa, and Winnipeg, David retired from Agriculture Canada in 1995. After his retirement, he enjoyed a number of ventures, some of the most notable being writing a book (“The Last Call”), his consultancy Hagborg Community Systems Limited, his extensive genealogical archive project, and selling imported western belts throughout Manitoba with his daughter by his side.
His later years were spent in Carman, Manitoba where he found the true blessing of community relationships through his BFF Jane Malcolmson, who brought him so much happiness and love. He had so much fun with her and his many Carman friends through the church, the Active Living Centre and the many community activities including countless games of bridge, his many choirs, and nights around the backyard bonfire with his guitar.
He was always happy to share his homemade wine, which he had finally perfected after extensive research and development, and was always up for a lively debate on nearly any topic. Whether at the Old Boys’ coffee on Tuesday, at the Wednesday Morning Group, or in his many university classes, David brought his unique perspective to all discussions from the existential, to the material, to the mundane.
While he allowed his Mensa membership to lapse after making it into their calendar as Mr. November in 2010, there was never any doubt that he balanced his humour and colloquial nature with some serious brainpower. After much hard work, he was so pleased to have achieved a lifetime GPA of 3.53 through his third and final degree (University of Manitoba, B. Comm Honours, 2007).
He would like to note that even though he was on the leading-edge of technology from the late 1960s through 90s, he managed to avoid ever getting a cellphone. The closest thing was a cordless telephone, which he answered with a definitive “6145!” to ensure that there was never any confusion as to who you were calling.
David was predeceased by his father Walter A.F. Hagborg and his mother Mary (née Pringle), as well as his sister Elinor Stevens. He has joined many relatives and friends who have been waiting for him to serenade them in the heavenly realm.
He is survived by his only beloved child, Sara Brandyn (Brandy) Hagborg Newton of Los Angeles, California, whom he loved to the ends of the earth and continually nagged (his words) that he had no fear of going to sleep in Jesus until the second coming. She and her husband Robert (Hoppie) Newton, hold him forever in their hearts and love and miss him tremendously.
David is also survived and deeply missed by his sister Joyce Hay of Brampton, Ontario and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends across Canada and around the world. He was especially grateful to his nephew Doug Hay for spending time with us in Carman during his last days, and to his nephew Ken Stevens for his work continuing his legacy with the genealogy database that he worked so hard on for our family. David loved hearing about his nephew Ian Hay’s many sailboat adventures on the seven seas and would have loved the family group chat if he had succumbed to the temptation of a cellphone.
In lieu of cellular connection, David fastidiously kept up with friends and family by email and thoroughly enjoyed entertaining faraway visitors like the Luong family, his sister Joyce, his great-niece Morgan Hay, and of course his daughter and son-in-law, who made their way to his little paradise in Carman. He is also survived by Brandy’s mother, Lorraine Hagborg, with whom he shared over 30 precious years, and the extended Selch clan who hold so many special and fun memories of “Crazy Uncle Dave” from many family gatherings at the farm in Beausejour, to visits in Italy, Ottawa and beyond, to a particularly memorable dance off at a wedding in 1997. (Despite a 20-year advantage by his challenger, he definitely won.)
On David’s last night, he enjoyed some wonderful sauvignon blanc (store-bought) and was toasted by his daughter.
“To David Hagborg, and to all the good things. Because it’s the good things that endure.”
There are so many good things about David Hagborg that it would be impossible to list them all, but they will endure forever in the love that we share.
In his memory, please sing a song, love your neighbour, and on a clear and starry night, look straight up and marvel at the magnitude of our incredible universe. That’s what he did, and despite knowing that he was but a speck of dust or grain of sand, he found peace in the Ultimate Reality that connects us all on the mortal plane and beyond.
Donations may be made to Carman United Church, or to whatever charity matters to you.
Funeral service will be held at Carman United Church with interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Doyle’s Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
David and his loved ones would like to extend a special thanks to all the people who have made this journey with us. To the EMTs who chauffeured David in his voyages, to the ER staff at Boundary Trails and HSC who saw us through some of the most difficult moments, to the Palliative Care staff at Boundary Trails and Carman Memorial Hospital who made sure that David lived every moment to its fullest until the very end, and the people of Carman who are just so amazing. Thank you. Words cannot express how much your kindness has helped make David’s final journey so meaningful and full of love.
An extra special thanks to Dr. Nause and LaDawn at Boundary Trails for the care you took of not only David, but of his daughter, in his final days. You are angels on earth and we are forever in your debt.
“Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee: My God, How Great Thou Art!”
Thank you to all the amazing people in Carman - and beyond - who made my Dad's life here so full of love, friendship, and community.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me anytime at 204.997.7183 or [email protected]
With love, kindness, and deep appreciation,
Brandy Hagborg Newton
David Walter Hagborg
November 12, 1944 – September 25, 2025
BSc. (1966, Math/Physics), BA. (1976, Economics/Computer Science), BComm. Honours (2007, Accounting/Finance)
On Thursday, September 25th at 10:26 a.m., at the age of Four Score, David Walter Hagborg walked home with Jesus. His faith and his voice remained strong and he sang with us until he could not sing anymore. He undoubtedly has already joined the heavenly chorus as their most reliable bass.
David was born in the Rural Municipality of Fort Garry Nov. 12, 1944, the son of Mary and Professor Walter Hagborg and met his reward 40 miles west in the R.M. of Dufferin. In between he had several careers ranging from heading the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Fishery Data Centre in Rome, to owning and operating the Dor-Ed Drive-In restaurant in the R.M. of Brokenhead. After 25 years in the Federal Service, including stints in Brandon, Ottawa, and Winnipeg, David retired from Agriculture Canada in 1995. After his retirement, he enjoyed a number of ventures, some of the most notable being writing a book (“The Last Call”), his consultancy Hagborg Community Systems Limited, his extensive genealogical archive project, and selling imported western belts throughout Manitoba with his daughter by his side.
His later years were spent in Carman, Manitoba where he found the true blessing of community relationships through his BFF Jane Malcolmson, who brought him so much happiness and love. He had so much fun with her and his many Carman friends through the church, the Active Living Centre and the many community activities including countless games of bridge, his many choirs, and nights around the backyard bonfire with his guitar.
He was always happy to share his homemade wine, which he had finally perfected after extensive research and development, and was always up for a lively debate on nearly any topic. Whether at the Old Boys’ coffee on Tuesday, at the Wednesday Morning Group, or in his many university classes, David brought his unique perspective to all discussions from the existential, to the material, to the mundane.
While he allowed his Mensa membership to lapse after making it into their calendar as Mr. November in 2010, there was never any doubt that he balanced his humour and colloquial nature with some serious brainpower. After much hard work, he was so pleased to have achieved a lifetime GPA of 3.53 through his third and final degree (University of Manitoba, B. Comm Honours, 2007).
He would like to note that even though he was on the leading-edge of technology from the late 1960s through 90s, he managed to avoid ever getting a cellphone. The closest thing was a cordless telephone, which he answered with a definitive “6145!” to ensure that there was never any confusion as to who you were calling.
David was predeceased by his father Walter A.F. Hagborg and his mother Mary (née Pringle), as well as his sister Elinor Stevens. He has joined many relatives and friends who have been waiting for him to serenade them in the heavenly realm.
He is survived by his only beloved child, Sara Brandyn (Brandy) Hagborg Newton of Los Angeles, California, whom he loved to the ends of the earth and continually nagged (his words) that he had no fear of going to sleep in Jesus until the second coming. She and her husband Robert (Hoppie) Newton, hold him forever in their hearts and love and miss him tremendously.
David is also survived and deeply missed by his sister Joyce Hay of Brampton, Ontario and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends across Canada and around the world. He was especially grateful to his nephew Doug Hay for spending time with us in Carman during his last days, and to his nephew Ken Stevens for his work continuing his legacy with the genealogy database that he worked so hard on for our family. David loved hearing about his nephew Ian Hay’s many sailboat adventures on the seven seas and would have loved the family group chat if he had succumbed to the temptation of a cellphone.
In lieu of cellular connection, David fastidiously kept up with friends and family by email and thoroughly enjoyed entertaining faraway visitors like the Luong family, his sister Joyce, his great-niece Morgan Hay, and of course his daughter and son-in-law, who made their way to his little paradise in Carman. He is also survived by Brandy’s mother, Lorraine Hagborg, with whom he shared over 30 precious years, and the extended Selch clan who hold so many special and fun memories of “Crazy Uncle Dave” from many family gatherings at the farm in Beausejour, to visits in Italy, Ottawa and beyond, to a particularly memorable dance off at a wedding in 1997. (Despite a 20-year advantage by his challenger, he definitely won.)
On David’s last night, he enjoyed some wonderful sauvignon blanc (store-bought) and was toasted by his daughter.
“To David Hagborg, and to all the good things. Because it’s the good things that endure.”
There are so many good things about David Hagborg that it would be impossible to list them all, but they will endure forever in the love that we share.
In his memory, please sing a song, love your neighbour, and on a clear and starry night, look straight up and marvel at the magnitude of our incredible universe. That’s what he did, and despite knowing that he was but a speck of dust or grain of sand, he found peace in the Ultimate Reality that connects us all on the mortal plane and beyond.
Donations may be made to Carman United Church, or to whatever charity matters to you.
Funeral service will be held at Carman United Church with interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Doyle’s Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
David and his loved ones would like to extend a special thanks to all the people who have made this journey with us. To the EMTs who chauffeured David in his voyages, to the ER staff at Boundary Trails and HSC who saw us through some of the most difficult moments, to the Palliative Care staff at Boundary Trails and Carman Memorial Hospital who made sure that David lived every moment to its fullest until the very end, and the people of Carman who are just so amazing. Thank you. Words cannot express how much your kindness has helped make David’s final journey so meaningful and full of love.
An extra special thanks to Dr. Nause and LaDawn at Boundary Trails for the care you took of not only David, but of his daughter, in his final days. You are angels on earth and we are forever in your debt.
“Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee: My God, How Great Thou Art!”
Thank you to all the amazing people in Carman - and beyond - who made my Dad's life here so full of love, friendship, and community.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me anytime at 204.997.7183 or [email protected]
With love, kindness, and deep appreciation,
Brandy Hagborg Newton