I’m indebted to Vivienne, Janet, Rebecca, Naomi for their thoughts and memories that I’ll be sharing with you. Dave was my friend for 41 years. He was my best man. I have many fond memories of Dave that I will cherish forever. My fondest memories are simple and undramatic such as the lazy hot summer days we spent when we were young and single, travelling to the Eagle Star sports ground in Warlingham for a game of tennis and sitting out in the sunshine afterwards. Then out for the evening at a pub with friends or at a party. It may not sound spectacular but for me those days were priceless. Dave was born on 30th June 1961 at Russell Stoneham Nursing Home in Crayford, the first child of Vivienne and Laurie, and was followed by his two sisters, Paula two years later and Susan after six years and they’ve been a very close family ever since. Dave was successful at school and University. He started at St Joseph’s Primary School, in Crayford, where he passed his 11-plus exams and went on to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar school, which was where I met him, and he made many good friends there. He did well at his exams and at 18 he went to the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he gained an honours degree in Agricultural engineering. Dave was successful academically, but he particularly enjoyed a more practical, outdoor way of life. He gained a love of farming, following a farm holiday in the Lake District when he was eight, when he spent days on a tractor ploughing fields with the farmer’s son Alan (himself only 12) and helping to milk the cows. He built up such a good friendship with the family that, whilst he was in Newcastle, he often travelled across country to spend his weekends helping on the farm. He also enjoyed fishing with his dad and friends, and loved spending family holidays caravanning. Dave spent a lot of his free time when he was younger working with his Dad in the building trade and was a great asset with his immense reserves of energy and with the speed at which he worked. It was here that Dave learnt the creative skills that were used to great effect throughout his later life. He completely transformed his house in Dunwich Road with a level of perfection he clearly got from his dad. Dave was physically very strong, possibly the result of the building work. I remember one day picking him up from his mum and dad’s. We had only travelled a few roads away when I got a flat tyre. Out came the wheel brace. I undid 3 of the 4 wheel nuts but the last one wouldn’t budge. I strained for several minutes going red in the face but to no avail. Then Dave had a go, and with one swift, effortless turn, off it came. I’ve never forgiven him for that! Dave was always full of energy. It was tiring at times just watching him. He hardly ever sat still. He always seemed to have several projects on the go that no normal person would attempt, such as the parties he organised where he did pretty much everything himself, or organising work events, or all his DIY improvements. He was a keen sportsman. In addition to Tennis we played football together, we went running, we played squash and more recently golf. Dave was a loyal West Ham supporter. He was, at one stage, a season ticket holder at Upton Park. And he went to see them whenever he could. In December although in a wheelchair Dave had a great day out at West Ham on a special visit organised by his brothers-in-law, Paul and Cliff. He got to meet the Chairman and players and he really enjoyed the day. Dave was occasionally mischievous, but always in a friendly way. Even from an early age he had a lively nature. Vivienne fondly remembers the time when he was only 22 months old when Paula had just been born. Dave wasn’t a jealous brother but when Vivienne was bathing her one day, David ran off with the soap leaving her helpless with the new baby in the bath. That lively nature continued when he started Primary School and the Headmistress made a point of asking Vivienne to tell David that he came to school to work and not to play! Susan remembers that, when they were young, Dave thought it fun to create an assault course for them at night time when they were supposed to be in bed. This consisted of them climbing out of the landing window, onto the garage roof, onto the high garden wall then jumping down and running round to knock on the front door. They would do this again and again driving their Mum and Dad mad! Dave loved to surprise people. Who of us can forget the look on Janet’s face when she turned up at the surprise party that Dave had arranged for her 50th. Dave was great fun to be with. He could cheer people up with his smile and with his infectious laughter. We went with Dave to one fancy dress party where he was dressed as a pirate and as we were driving home he suddenly shouted in a panic “Stop! We need to go back. I’ve left my hat at the party”. Then as Pam was in the middle of a U-turn Dave shouted out again, “it’s alright, I’ve found it, it’s on my head”! Dave was a party animal. But he also took his work responsibilities very seriously. After achieving his BSc at Newcastle he started his career at Eagle Star Insurance in the engineering department in Birmingham. He then moved to London with Eagle star and continued to work with them as an engineering underwriter until they were taken over by Zurich, and he later moved on to work at Munich Re. He built many lifelong friendships at work and it’s great to see so many work friends here today. From speaking to colleagues Dave was a dedicated employee and a true professional. He was a recognised expert in his field, a speaker at conferences and his job took him all over the globe. Dave was a very caring person. As a boy and as a man he put the interests of others before his own and he was always helping people out. He would ask how I was and ask after the family, but not in a casual way - he really wanted to know. He gave his time for good causes. He worked with the Bexleyheath disabled club for several years. He was also very active in the girls swimming club and organised lots of events such as walks, golf days and cabaret events for friends and colleagues. Dave was his own man. He had a clear set of principles that he lived by and never wavered. If something wasn’t right Dave would say so. Dave also had a strong sense of duty and responsibility He was a dutiful son and brother. He watched over his sisters Paula and Susan and made sure they were safe. Paula remembers that when she went out to parties Dave would make sure that he picked her up. She also recalls one time when she and Dave were both at a party. She was speaking to a boy and the boy said to her “there’s someone over there watching me” and Paula replied “that’s my brother David”. Above all else Dave was a committed family man. I remember in our younger days being amazed at how much time he spent helping his Mum and Dad and sisters and forever meeting up with his Aunts, Uncles and cousins. Family was so important to him. And he really came into his own when he started his own family. He met the love of his life Janet at Eagle Star and they were married on 7th May 1988 in this very church. I remember the day vividly with Dave being so proud of his new wife, and Janet being so emotional during the ceremony that she couldn’t say her lines. That was a great day and the start of a new era for Dave. That’s when he found his true purpose in life, as a husband and then as a father. Dave and Janet had two wonderful daughters, Rebecca and Naomi and they were the focus of his life until the day he died. It was a delight to meet up with Dave and listen to him talking about the girls. He was always so proud of them and enthusiastic about the things they were doing. It was heart-warming to read Rebecca and Naomi recalling how Dave supported them in everything they did, guiding them and helping them in their studies and encouraging them with their swimming and other activities. He was always so positive. Even in the last few weeks before he passed away he was teaching Naomi in great detail about insurance. The last few years were blighted by illness but he fought the illness bravely. He never made a fuss and never complained. He preferred to talk about other people rather than talk about himself. It has been wonderful to witness Dave’s love for Janet, Rebecca and Naomi over the years. But it has been equally wonderful to witness the love they had for him. The last few month epitomised that love. It must have been heart breaking for them to see Dave suffering from his illness, but the way they looked after him was amazing. He couldn’t have wished for better care or greater devotion. Janet, Rebecca and Naomi have provided me with some words which I would like to read to you now: From Rebecca titled ‘The most wonderful dad a girl could ever ask for’ Thank you Dad for all the support you have given me through the 22 years of my life. You supported me and encouraged me to do my best in everything I do. I will never forget the help you gave me through GCSE’s, A Level’s and my degree – you read through my essays and sent me back pages of feedback. Even when you were away with work, no matter what the time difference, you would be there guiding me to achieve my best. I will never forget the times you came home from a work event where you may have enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine. You would put your headphones on and listen to your music… which we could still hear from the other room. Even though I’m better at getting up in the morning I miss your wake up call, you were so calm, even after telling Naomi to wake up for the tenth time. Your smile and calmness would set my day off to a good start. I learnt so much from you and I thank you for teaching me to see the good in individuals. You were strong, determined, professional, enthusiastic, funny, caring and loving, the list is endless and I hope and wish that I will grow to be like you. Rebecca From Naomi Titled ‘My Number one’ One of the first memories that I can remember was from our camping holidays. They would start by dad insisting to leave at 5:00 in the morning! Which, to mum, Rebecca and I, wasn’t too appealing! The car journey would consist of eating huge amounts of crisps and wine gums and listening to songs like ‘we’re all going on a summer holiday’. During the holiday we would go on long bike rides and walks which we all loved especially dad. I remember when I was little Dad would carry me on his shoulders for miles because I was too lazy to walk! I have never heard people speak badly of dad as he was such a gentle and loving man, he has made a mark on so many people’s lives which will never be forgotten. No words will ever describe how sad I feel and how much I miss him already, he was a great man and I will remember all our happy times as a family together and will cherish them, in my heart, forever. Sleep peacefully daddy. Love you for now and always. Naomi. From Janet My Darling Dave, I couldn’t have asked for a more loving, caring and funny husband. We shared good times and sad times. You always wanted to please me and others. You were a wonderful cook and I will miss all of the lovely dishes you prepared. You were always on the go. Your job list was endless, I couldn’t believe where you got your energy from. You were a gardener, window cleaner, DIY man and many more. On our honeymoon you lost your wedding ring in the St Lucia Sea. You put on your prescription goggles (otherwise you couldn’t see anything). I was on the shoreline praying you would find it. After a while you spotted it glistening, you swam down and retrieved it. You shouted ‘I’ve got it’. That was a miracle and a sign that we would be together always .I have lost my soul mate and I’m going to miss you so much. Janet Dave lived his life right. He was a decent and honest man. Modest and courageous. A true gentleman. He achieved many things. He made a difference in other peoples’ lives. Above all he was our Dave. He belongs to all of us and we belong to him. His greatest achievement is in this room today. Well done Dave. We’ll miss you.