I have known Dave since we worked together at CJB in Paddington, England in the 1960,s. We both worked in the civil engineering department at a time when having a good time was a priority. I still have the mini trophy which was presented to each of us on the department “soccer” team for winning the inter discipline soccer tournament. I think Dave told me he still has his somewhere. We reconnected in Canada when Dave found out I was coming to work for the same company in Toronto. He called me up pretending to be from the UK Inland Revenue and had me on a hook for a long time while he told me I owed the government a lot of money. He could not sustain the story and broke down laughing. I called him a few names and we stayed in touch until last week when he called me for the last time. I shall miss him and his stories of the “old days” and his wicked sense of humour. RIP Dave.
My dad will be remembered for his stories, humour, and love for his family. My dad loved to make people happy and especially loved to make them laugh. I’m going to miss hearing those stories, but I’m also so happy I have my own stories with him to hold onto.
My dad was always fond of music. My earliest memories are of him playing his CDs around the house and in the car. Dad wouldn’t settle for anything but the best speakers. If you liked the music he was playing, he’d sit you in his favourite spot between the two speakers, which he’d specifically set up for maximum sound quality. My dad’s appreciation for music had a great influence on me as a child. He always supported my decision to study music.
When my parents signed me up for intramural soccer as a kid, I didn’t think twice about being a goalkeeper – the position my dad always played. I moved on to rep and spent the better part of the decade going to games and practices with my dad: my biggest fan, my most invested coach, and my *ahem* personal driver. When I quit soccer, he was disappointed, only because he thought I had talent. However, he continued to support me in everything I did. When I started playing volleyball, he learned about the sport and became invested in that part of my life too. While I didn’t always agree with his comments and feedback, I’m so lucky I had a dad who was involved in my life and pushed me to do my best.
My dad always told me my biggest asset was I was “coachable”. He told me my willingness to learn would always be to my benefit, that I would keep improving as long as I invested the necessary time and effort. My dad always recognized my desire and willingness to learn, whether it be new things or the same things, and he nurtured that part of me from the time I was a kid. When I started to focus on my music, my dad never tried to push me in a different direction, and when I was accepted to do my MA in Europe, my dad was thrilled. He knew he would miss me, but he was happy for me and wanted me to go. He always told me, “You’ll thrive. You’ll never want to come back.” Dad always had faith that I would do well in life, even when I didn’t feel the same. He didn’t always totally understand what it was I do, but he never doubted I could do it.
I’m grateful I have a dad who never had a problem telling me he loved me or that he was proud of me. I’m so lucky I got to spend those last days by his side, telling him I love him and I’m proud of him too.
Love ya, Tog. Rest in peace. xx
Will miss our telephone chats. I really wish we could have visited you one more time. Love and best wishes from Barbara, Charles, Gareth and Laura.
David, it was a minor miracle that we ever met at all, but, the moment we did, you accepted me into the family instantly and unconditionally. Throughly you, your wife, and your daughters, you brought me into touch with a new dimension of my family history and for that I will be forever grateful. Rest in peace, dear cousin!
Sometimes I wish we could go back to the old days when things were so perfect. I remember how pleased you were when our son Stuart was born on your birthday. To us you will always be alive in Toronto. It was a joy to have known you. Rest in perfect peace dear Friend