David Kenneth Mandeville (23 Mar 1940 - 6 Mar 2015)

In loving memory of my brother, David, who was so courageous and uncomplaining during his final illness, but now at peace. I will always remember the good times we had and David will be missed so much by all of us. Joyce xxx

I thank David for 41 wonderful years of marriage. My memories of our journey in life will always be with me. David always put others first before himself and has left an amazing legacy. I hope as a family we will learn from his example. He was a wonderful husband, father to Simon and Nicola and grandfather to Ruby and Jack. He faced his declining health with an inner strength and humility. He never said "why me" and always had a smile for everyone who met him. I will miss you David but I will try to follow your example. You were a gentle man, kind, considerate, patient and loving. My love always. Liz xx

DAVID'S MEMORIAL BOOKLET

David Mandeville, one of life’s true gentlemen, was born in Robin Down Lane, Mansfield in 1940.

David was intelligent and articulate, an interesting man to talk to, but more importantly, he was someone who would really listen. He could understand and appreciate your point of view; even if it was different from his own.

David had a cracking sense of humour and there was nothing he loved more than a good joke or a funny story.

When recently talking of his childhood, David said “It’s a wonder I’m here at all because I had a couple of near misses when I was young”.

When he was four, David managed to get hold of a cigarette from the bag of his mother’s friend and tried to light it on the bars of their electric fire, thankfully singeing only his hair.

A little older, David put a bone handled cake knife into an electric socket during one of his mother’s tea parties. Fortunately he was not electrocuted but David was left holding a rather shrivelled bone handle and sporting a rather startled expression.

Like most young boys, there was the odd naughty moment and silly prank.

At age 10 David and his friends went scrumping for apples on a neighbour’s land. Upon being discovered, they swiftly emptied their full pockets only to be told by the owner that “you can keep what you’ve got but don’t come back”. All too late.

At the age 10 or 11, David’s Mum found a tin hidden under the kitchen lino containing cigarette butts which he vehemently denied were anything to do with him. After Mum put a note in the tin reading, “if I find any more of these there’ll be trouble”, the tin miraculously disappeared.

In 1967 the family moved to Nottingham where David attended Nottingham High School. Academically David did well but was not so keen on the cold, wet, cross-country runs so of course he took the odd short cut. On several occasions he was caught out along with other renegades.

Family life was happy and content and sister Joyce has fond memories of their childhood together.

David would go to Berry Hill Lake on the outskirts of Mansfield to catch minnows and tadpoles. In the winter snow Uncle Charles (cousin Hazel’s Dad) would take them to a local hill where they would go careering downhill on a sledge often packed with up to 8 children.

David and Joyce enjoyed family holidays together in Devon with cousin Hazel and family. It was well worth the 10 hour journey.

Music always played a big part in David’s life; he was part of a skiffle group as a teenager and mastered the guitar which he kept up for many years.

David was delighted to speak to and meet some of his music idols; the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Louis Armstrong, along with Ike and Tina Turner.

Aqualung diving was another favourite pastime. With close friend, Mike Rawlings, David would go diving in Markfield gravel pit. He also went on deep-sea diving holidays to Mevagissey which brought out his entrepreneurial side.

To pay for their holiday, the young men would collect sea urchins to sell to tourists who were impressed by the shark that they were supposed to have caught (something they had acquired from a local fishing vessel).

David left school at sixteen and went into his first job in Barclays bank. He had two identical suits, one blue, the other brown. The inevitable happened and one day he went to work wearing the wrong trousers, much to the amusement of the staff.

Over the next 30 years, David enjoyed a successful career with Marshalls which became Sovex Marshall, specialising in sales.

His last job was with Flygt Pumps where he stayed until his eagerly awaited retirement.

David met his beloved wife Lizzie whilst playing tennis at the Magdala Lawn Tennis Club, winning her over by offering to re-string her racket.

They married in 1974, honeymooning in London before moving into their first family home in Gedling.

In 1975, David became proud father to his son Simon and in 1977 to daughter Nicola.

David and Liz’s love of tennis continued, playing many fiercely contested matches at the Magdala Club and later at David Lloyd in Nottingham where some questionable shots were played by one and all.

David and Liz’s marriage has always focused on their journey as a family.

The family enjoyed some wonderful holidays over the years both at home and abroad. Liz, Simon and Nicola all share many happy memories of their visits to see Grandma (Liz’s mother) in Dinas Powys, Wales. There, the children enjoyed countless trips on the log flume and horse & cart at Barry Island beach with their dad.

David and Liz also took the family on trips to Portugal and to Robin Hoods Bay in North Yorkshire with Joyce and her two sons, David’s God sons, Paul and Mark and his late mother. Fun was had by all.

David was a dedicated husband, always placing Liz’s needs before his own, lovingly joking that the key to a long and happy marriage was to always agree with the wife.

He and Liz were delighted to reach their 41st wedding anniversary on 23rd February this year, a goal they had both focused on during David’s illness for some months prior.

David engaged with the church at All Hallows in Gedling, eventually accepting Reverend Mark Beach’s invitation to become Church Warden. The parishioners all adored David and, as testament to he and Roy Skellington’s work as wardens, their names were engraved on the guilded cockerel placed at the top of the spire during refurbishment works.

We couldn’t forget to mention David’s love of football and his avid support of Nottingham Forest football club over the last 50 years. He became a supporter by sheer chance; going to watch the club play after a game with his local work team was cancelled.

Last autumn he was thrilled to be taken as a special guest by Vinny to the Directors’ lounge where he watched the match and met some of the first team players who signed a football shirt given to him by his God son Mark when enjoying a local derby match together.

David always had a theatrical bent and got a certificate as a boy for his portrayal of Archangel Michael; a talent which he seems to have passed on to Simon. At family gatherings, the highlight of charades was always David who totally immersed himself in his roles and had everyone in stitches. No-one will ever forget his portrayal of the TV soap opera ‘Neighbours’.

As a father David was totally devoted and willing to go to the greatest of lengths to provide for and support Simon and Nicola.

Nicola remembers fondly her father taking her to horse riding lessons as a young girl, always excited to wear her dad’s aviator sunglasses on the drive home so she could look as cool as him.

When Simon and Nicola both took to swimming, David became treasurer of the swimming club, Nottingham Northern, taking exams to be a timekeeper and relentlessly driving hundreds of miles with Liz to take the children to swimming galas.

David’s love of music was passed down to the children, using his spare time to take them to piano lessons and exercising his patience to listen tirelessly to Simon’s trumpet practice and Nicola’s electric guitar.

Dad’s support and patience remained unfaltering as the children grew to become young adults.

After telling Simon not to drive his prized possession, the family car, at speeds of more than 50mph, he remained calm when discovering that Simon in driving the car somewhat faster had blown up the engine, writing the car off. He was calmer still when Simon returned home after rearranging the bonnet of the new car in a contretemps a few short weeks later.

David can be very proud to know that, with his support, both Simon and Nicola secured university degrees and post-graduate qualifications that have enabled them to go on and prosper in their respective careers.

As well as being a loving father, David was also God father to Paul, Mark and Eleanor.

David became very proud grandfather to Simon and his wife Vicky’s children, Ruby (6) and Jack (4) in more recent years, enjoying many special moments playing and laughing with the grandchildren.

David and Liz moved to Castle Donington almost ten years ago and have been wholeheartedly welcomed into the local community.

David has continued to worship with Reverend Andrew Micklethwaite at St Edward King & Martyr and became secretary to the PCC, meeting the demands of the parish photocopier with the help of Liz until only a few months ago.

He and Liz have thoroughly enjoyed their time together in the village, strolling along country walks to the local hostelries in the summer months, and visiting garden centres for afternoon tea and scones.

Even during his battle with his illness, David has remained determined with the support of his family to enjoy his favourite pastimes, enjoying a trip to Wales with Liz and Nicola and a trip with Liz, Simon, Vicky and the grandchildren to the North Yorkshire Steam Railway to see the Stanier Black 5 steam engine in action.

Indeed only very recently, David’s sheer determination helped him to visit his much-loved Chatsworth Estate with the family.

David has continued to enjoy his music and reading over the years and this has offered him great comfort in recent months, Liz never knowing when to expect the next Amazon delivery ordered with the help of Simon when visiting his dad.

During David’s later life, we have all seen his very courageous battle with illness, having been diagnosed as having Progressive Suprenucleur Palsy from 2011, a degenerative neurological illness, and with cancer of the oesophagus in July 2014.

David’s unbelievably heroic struggle with adversity is a true testament to his character; the great peace and humility with which he has faced his illness has been truly admirable.

He has never complained about the discomfort he was in, a rare quality in anyone, but he simply said “it’s the cards I have been dealt in life and I’ll face whatever will be”. Everyone loved him and he always had a twinkle in his eye and a kind word for the wonderful array of medical professionals who helped him through the last stages of his illnesses.

In these last months the commitment shown by Dr Jane Young of the Castle Donington surgery to David and Liz has been truly commendable, as has the work of the district nursing team and David’s carers dealing with his palliative care.

David and Liz have been tremendously grateful for the support of all those at Sheffield Hallamshire hospital, Derby Royal Infirmary and Loros Hospice in Leicester.

Such a man was David that he cast his influence upon all whom he met.

We may in time forget what he said and did but we will never forget how he made us feel. He may have sometimes appeared as quiet and deep thinking but that was surely because he never judged anyone, he accepted and saw the best in people, always putting others first.

David had an abundance of humility and showed strength, courage and a quiet determination until his peaceful passing.

David’s life revolved around his family, they meant more to him than anything and he devoted himself tirelessly to providing for and supporting them.

David leaves an amazing, unforgettable legacy not just as a husband, father and grandfather but also for his whole family and all the lives that he touched. He will be greatly missed.

The last word has to go to Lizzie who devoted herself so selflessly and tirelessly to caring for David in his final years: “David will be a light that shines forever and never goes out”.

My dad lost his very courageous battle with cancer a few weeks ago. I miss him very much and remember him today as I do every day. I am forever grateful and honoured to have such an incredible father, one who always gave such immense love, support and encouragement. His strength, courage and humility is truly inspirational and I will always hold him very dear in my heart and memories xxx