It is said that, on one occasion, Mahatma Gandhi was asked what he thought of Christianity. His interesting reply was: "I admire" Christ, but not Christians". One can say with certainty, however, that, had the Mahatma and David ever met, the former would have been happy to rate the latter an exception to his observation. For David was a true Christian and he demonstrated that in the way he lived his life. But it is, perhaps, not surprising that David was a man of principle when one remembers that among his forbears he numbered a distinguished Archbishop of Dublin and, somewhat further back in time, Oliver Plunkett, canonised a saint in 1975. David was always very proud of Oliver, regardless of their different paths to the Kingdom, and always kept a picture of him on display at home. Indeed, it can truly be said that Oliver and David had much in common, notably a quiet determination to stand up for their beliefs, come what may, and a deep and abiding love of Ireland, their native land.
Though David's home was in England for most of his life, his working days with Stewarts & Lloyds, later British Steel, sometimes brought him to Ireland, and he was always delighted to have a reason to return here, whether by way of work or more often, on holiday with his wife Philippa and daughters.
An enthusiastic gardener all his life, the gardens in Birmingham, rural Leicestershire and, more recently, in London all showed the benefit of David's masterly hand and his ready affinity with the natural world. In Leicestershire, David specialised in growing Jerusalem artichokes, both for the beauty of their flowers and also for their health giving properties which he delighted in describing to his guests at table. Always a very sociable man, David shared a gift with Philippa for entertaining and their home often echoed to the sound of laughter and people enjoying themselves.
David never spared himself at work, whether in steel, as mentioned, or later with Martell and lastly with Marie Curie Cancer Care. It was during these latter years that he himself afflicted with cancer which, with Philippa's constant and devoted support, he fought so courageously and for so long. He threw himself into his work fund raising for this charity with the utmost dedication until, literally, he could do no more. It was fitting that the charity, in turn, was able to repay his selfless hard work with much devoted nursing care in the last stages of his illness, enabling him to remain at home much longer than would otherwise have been possible.
Husband and father to a devoted family, David gave them all the love of which he was capable and Philippa and their two daughters, Emma and Arabella, responded in turn. As a family their unity and devotion to one another remain an inspiration to all who know them.
By the happiest of coincidences, the sadness of the last days was softened by the recent arrival of a fine healthy grandson, who, with the joyful indifference of extreme youth, is determinedly leading the way to the future.