Dave Cantin, May 7, 1968 – January 9, 2018
Dave Cantin, 49, of Montecito, California died suddenly as a result of the Montecito mudslides that occurred January 9, 2018. His wife, Kim, and daughter, Lauren, were injured in the mudslides and his son, Jack, 17, remains missing.
David was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on May 7, 1968, and spent his early years in Warren, R.I. He grew up in Portsmouth, R.I., and graduated from Portsmouth Abbey School in 1986. While matriculating to Bryant University, he was awarded an internship with a medical device start-up company called Ultracision®, which hired him after he graduated with a degree in management. This company was acquired by a Johnson & Johnson Company, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, and it was there he met his wife, Kim.
Dave enjoyed over a 20-year career in the medical device industry where he valued the impact that the various technologies could offer patients – be it a less invasive option or enabling better surgery. By 1999, Dave and his wife moved to Carlsbad, California; it was in Carlsbad that Dave became the proud father to John (Jack) Cantin and, two years later, Lauren Cantin. It was also during this time Dave completed his MBA from Xavier University in Ohio.
He and the family moved back to Cincinnati with work, and there he made wonderful neighborhood friends, enjoyed golfing, and family camping trips. In 2010, Dave and the family relocated to Santa Barbara, California.
It was in Montecito that Dave became more involved in Boy Scouts. Dave became the Scoutmaster of Troop 33, the second oldest troop in Santa Barbara. He led many back-country hikes, 50-mile spring break camping trips, summer camps at Emerald Bay, Catalina Island and annually participated in the Montecito Fourth of July Parade and the Montecito Beautification Day. Dave also was active in the Santa Barbara adult league baseball team, playing catcher and as number 4 in the batting lineup.
Dave will be remembered with his warm smile and his positive energy. He is the guy who would always make time for people and lend a helping hand. Dave was led by his values of faith, family, and a goal to make a positive difference. He was a devoted and loving husband, Dad, son, and friend to many.
Dave is survived by his wife, Kimberly Miller Cantin, and his cherished daughter, Lauren Elizabeth. His son, John (Jack) Cantin, is on the list of missing people from the mudslides. David was the son of Kathleen Smith Cantin of East Providence and Richard Cantin of North Carolina. David was predeceased by an elder brother, Michael. Additionally Dave is survived by his step-mother Marie Cantin of North Carolina, his Aunt Patricia, his in-laws Willard and Anita Miller of Niagara Falls, Canada, and several cousins and a host of friends.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapel on 15 E. Sola Street Santa Barbara. The funeral service will be held at 10 am, Saturday, February 3, 2018 at the Santa Barbara Mission. The burial will be at the Santa Barbara Cemetery on Channel Drive on Monday, February 5. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Ronald McDonald House, 45 Gay Street Providence, RI 02905 or to the Santa Barbara Foodbank.
