Classic & Vintage - Sad news from the UK

My apologies in advance if this is not an appropriate way to post this news, but it seems important to me to inform fellow C&V members that a good friend of mine, David, who posted here under "Bikingbritinmex" sadly passed away on Monday.

David and I 'met' on C&V some years ago through his posting about a Holdsworth Equipe he was buying in the UK whilst living in Mexico. Through PM's and then e-mails and phone calls a friendship developed based initially on our shared enthusiasm for classic British bikes. David returned to his native England and settled in Hungerford Berks, where he set about the full restoration of his 1947 Hobbs, which he bought whilst living abroad but which stayed in the UK awaiting his return. He finally completed the job some weeks ago and was enthusiastic about riding it but was having some health issues. We planned to meet up soon and have a gentle ride together.

Then two weeks ago, on the eve of my departure for Thailand to attend my son's wedding, David e-mailed me to inform me that he was having to go to hospital urgently for emergency abdominal surgery. I replied with encouragement as he really had no choice at all and looked forward to speaking to him again on my return.

Tragically he was called to a higher place whilst I was on the return flight. His son phoned to inform me of the sad news today and my thoughts go to his family at this difficult time. I know I'll really miss him. I'll always be indebted to him for the effort he put in on my behalf whilst having his frame repaired by Mario Vaz in London. David doggedly quizzed Mario, who used to work at Holdsworth and as a result positively identified my 1954 Holdsworth Typhoon. We also used to post each other free parts for our respective projects and e-mailed jokes every day or so. A true gentleman in the real spirit of C&V in every respect I hope he finds smooth roads and decent tailwinds on the spiritual plane.

Sorry to be the bearer of such sad tidings, but I felt that others should know.

Oldpeddaller.

So sorry to hear that :(

Rest in Peace David "Bikingbritinmex".......
Condolences to his family.....

Chombi

My condolences to you, his friend, and to all of his family, and a "bon voyage" to David, to that big C&V club in the sky.

Thoughts and prayers...

Very sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you, and all of David's family.

So sorry to hear this.

We never really know when and where we'll meet those with whom friendships will grow to stand the tests of time.

Sounds like this friendship was still growing and should have had years to come.

Condolences all the way round.

Owen

condolences to you and David's family.

Marty

Thanks for letting us know. Condolences to you and his family....

Your description of him as a wonderful friend and fellow vintage enthusiast strikes a chord. My condolences to you and David's family. Rest in peace, David.

Sounds like he was one of the good guys, sad news indeed.

We are measured by the friends we keep and the words of those we leave behind... and by your words I know we lost one of the good ones.

You have my condolences on this loss of someone who seemed to be a true friend.

Thanks for posting this, Oldpedaller. It's what differentiates this forum from many others. My condolences.

..I've had a death here of someone close recently. Your countryman
Sir Thomas Browne has been of great interest to me in thinking about it.


The greater part must be content to be as though they had not been,
to be found in the Register of God, not in the record of man.

............Sir Thomas Browne ......... Hydriotaphia

Thank you for posting, and best wishes to all who knew your friend, at this time of grief and loss.

I'm sorry to hear that, my condolences.

Good friends are few and those special ones even rarer. As mortal beings, we're aware of and come to terms with the loss of someone dear to us that happens to be older. But we're not prepared to suddenly lose someone younger or our age. We don't expect to lose our dear friends who we choose to build a kinship. Taken before their time.
I'm so sorry to read about the untimely loss of your friend David.
I hope you and his family find peace.

Sympathies to all who were lucky enough to know bikingbritinmex. I wish I had had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Your words say so much about this loss.

I'm glad you got to know Bikingbritinmex, he sounded like a very nice man. Sorry you didn't get to meet with him, and my sympathies go out to you and his family especially.

Maybe he's riding merrily along out there in the ether. Who knows with all this talk about parallel universes. I like the idea.

Thanks everyone for your truly uplifting, kind and thoughtful responses. David really was one of the best, just like all you guys. I really do appreciate all the support at what is a very sad event for us in the UK and I hope to personally pass on your thoughts to his family at his funeral in a week or two. This Forum is full of caring, generous spirited true friends and although many of us will never meet due to geographical distances I feel we have a unique brotherhood (and sisterhood) that is truly precious. Your thoughts and words really do make a difference. Oldpeddaller.

"Smooth roads and a strong tailwind"...I wish it for him and for all of us. Godspeed.

It is difficult to deal with the loss of someone that has come to hold a special place ones heart and that was a truly wonderful human. I wish you, his family, and others who were close to him solace. You are lucky to have known and shared a friendship with someone like bikingbritinmex. May time bring peace and tranquility to all who knew and cared about him. Perhaps taking that gentle ride, thinking of him and all you two shared would somehow help you to feel close to him. All the best oldpeddaller. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.

My condolences to his family and to you, his friend. Thanks for posting this.

Our thoughts and prayers to his family, you, and his other friends. Godspeed, David.

Requiescat in Pace.

Godspeed to David and my prayers for your and his families peace and strength. So sad to loose one of the truly good men in cycling. Your post and the nice replies here say a lot about you and your friend.

Respectfully,
Bill

Nice words ,sorry for your loss...