I have not really known David for 45 years or so. Our paths crossed at both my parents funerals and in the intervening period we exchanged an occasional text. It is with sadness and a little trepidation that I now find myself paying him tribute at his funeral.
David and I were born within 5 months of each other and I got to know him really well when we played together throughout our childhood in Grangecliffe Gardens. We lived two doors down from the Leventhalls and for some of the time our families were close too. I counted David as my best friend in my childhood.
The street was our playground and my memory was that it was us, the baby-boom-kids, who dominated the place rather than the cars, which came to take up all of the available space in the neighbourhood in later years.
We (David, Mark and many others) would seem to spend endless hours playing in the street, and alleyways, in our respective back gardens and in local parks. David and I shared a similar vivid imagination. No doubt there is some misty eyed, post-optimism about such memories, but I think that we had the best possible outdoor childhood with brilliant playing and socialising opportunities which since seem to have been sadly lost.
David and I had drifted apart prior to him becoming so severely affected by his auto immune condition.
I have some mild chronic pain now I am in my sixties. I know how corrosive and tiring that can be. How David bore many decades of such a severe and debilitating condition I will never understand.
I send my respect to you David and my condolences to your family.
Nigel Dann
02/08/2022
