OBITUARY: Dave Powell, who has died of Covid aged 57

YORK printer Dave Powell, who has died from Covid aged 57, was a husband, dad, granddad, son, brother, uncle, and friend.

He leaves a widow Jane, triplet children Thomas, Rebecca and Victoria, aged 30, and daughter Evie, 24, as well as two grandchildren, Noah, five, and Jacob, who was born just weeks before Dave's death.

At Dave's funeral in York yesterday, his sister-in-law, York celebrant Fiona Brown, led the service with this tribute:

WE reflect now on Dave’s character and what he meant to everyone who knew him. To his friends, Dave was a “top man”, “smashing fella”, “cracking bloke”, “great person”, “Toffee Boy” but to those who loved him the most, Dave, was so much more.

His life began with a bump in more ways than one, when his sister Therese dropped him on his head when he was baby.

She was only six years old and was probably as shocked as baby Dave was when she let go of him.

Fortunately, Dave ‘bounced’ and there was no lasting damage done. Dave was good-natured from a young age and throughout his life was known for his smile.

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Jane had seen Dave when she walked home from school. She was in her early teens then and boys were just beginning to pique her interest. Dave lost no time in sweeping his love off her feet. He plied her with chocolate – bars and bars of Fry’s Mint Crème.

He first proposed to Jane when he was 15. He’d even presented her with a ring, but had to wait another two years for permission for the marriage to be given.

Dave and Jane on their wedding day

Dave and Jane married at Heworth Church on 28 July 28 1984. It was a very windy day, which proved problematic for Jane, as her veil kept trying to fly off. It wasn’t much easier for Dave. He had wanted a top hat as ‘it was somewhere to keep his fags’ but the wind did its best to snatch it from him!

Dave was so proud to be a dad, although he wasn’t so keen that he had to register the babies’ births in Leeds. He begged the authorities to register them in York, as he didn’t want his little ones associated with Leeds United, well what blue blooded Everton fan would?

He wasn’t allowed to, and fate made sure that the next generation would be affiliated with Leeds United too! Noah is a real fan and even wears the T-shirts! Being the good granddad that he was, Dave overlooked that and no doubt secretly hoped he could convert him. There is a lovely photo of Dave with Noah and a cut-out of Wayne Rooney, so he was doing his best!

Dave with grandson Noah

As a Dad, Dave was perfect. There are lots of wonderful memories of playing on the beach, days at the races, outings to the cinema, school trips and of making sure that, when they were older, the girls always had Pepsi to nurse their hangovers!

The triplets may not have inherited Dave’s love of football but Evie did. Dave was so proud watching her play. He would stand behind goal and yell encouragement. Dave always attended school sports day and often recalled the time that Tom won the three-legged race with Jimmy, even if Jimmy did carry Tom over the finish line! That didn’t bother Dave, his heart burst with pride as Tom accepted his award.

Dave with daughter Evie

It is a testament to Dave’s love as a dad, and Jane’s as a mum, that Vic, Tom, Bec and Evie have grown up into the wonderful adults they are. That meant a lot to Dave. When they were happy, he was happy.

Dave was so pleased to welcome Diana, Ian and MacKenzie into the family and was overjoyed to become a granddad to Noah and Jacob.

Dave with new grandson Jacob (born a few weeks before Dave was admitted to hospital with Covid)

Noah loved spending time with Dave. Jacob is too young to have memories of his granddad but tales of what Dave was like will always be told and through us all, he will know and love him.

Some of the best times away were with Dave’s other ‘family’ – best friends, Mark and Karen, and their children, Gemma and Dan.

Karen remembers:

"We have shared many holidays with Dave and Jane over the past 40 years we have been friends. The holiday that stands out for us was the caravan trip to Torquay for two weeks but it rained for 13 days. On the dry day, we went for a trip to Babacomb model village. We all got sunburnt! Every night, Karen and Jane went to bingo while Mark and Dave got Dan ready for a night out at the club house, but that night we won the grand prize, which was a free holiday to come back for a week. Mark and Dave totally refused to go back again, as they said we already had grown webbed feet! We will always remember the great holidays we have shared with our best friends."

Dave Powell who has died aged 57 from Covid

Gemma tells this story:

"We went camping and Jane and Dave had borrowed a motorhome. We had arrived at the campsite and had got everything set up, so we all decided to have a cup of tea. Jane and I were sat just outside the motorhome and Dave was busy doing something with his bike (he was cycling with some friends the following day I think). He came from the back of the motor home with his socks pulled up to his knees and said “right then campers!” We all laughed so much as he looked such a sight. He was then known as ‘happy camper’ all weekend. It has been so difficult to think of one memory as my mind is full of happy times with Dave. He was truly amazing."

Dave and Vic

Dave was a character and one which won’t be forgotten. He was witty, kind, friendly, funny and always thought of others. Yes, he had his faults, we all do. He could be stubborn and Jane dreaded whenever he went into Tesco, as he would disappear into a time vortex and appear hours later with a bunch of bananas and some loo roll! Dave loved Tesco, almost as much as he liked B&M, Home Bargains and Farm Foods! Dave enjoyed bagging a bargain, so car boot sales were his idea of heaven!

Then there were the relaxing times, like reading a book in the bath, even if the pages did get soggy when he fell asleep, and of the many, many hours spent playing bingo with all the girls. Although Jane always kept hold of the winnings!

Dave loved to stretch his mind. It’s why he enjoyed bingo and for over 20 years he was a member of the ‘Hairy Frogs’, with friends, Mark, Pete and Graham at The Brigadier Gerard’s Quiz Nights on a Sunday.

The best thing about Dave was his personality. He had, as one of the messages on Facebook says “Such a positive outlook on life, that was so contagious”. “Dave was a really happy person with a heart of gold” and a lifelong passion for Everton.

One thing is for sure, Everton’s shares have taken a hit. Over the years, family and friends must have kept the shop in business with gifts for Dave. Although he never liked Everton Mints!

Dave was, quite simply, an amazing man.