I think that the phrase " a larger than life character" was coined by someone who must have bumped into Dave somewhere. Always full of fun and energy, he "held court" every breaktime with his amazing library of animated recounts of the events in his life. He could imitate most of the well known students of the day (and teachers). I used to love sitting at the back of the hall with him during mass. He would sit bolt upright and sing hymn's in a posh voice, which of course would make all the Sixth Formers laugh. He would then look at them with his sternest face and "tell them off" for laughing during mass. He would then go back to his singing and the laughing would start all over again. My nephew was a pupil of Daves. He remembers the day Dave said he would make him clean the whole school with a toothbrush. Including the roof. And he wouldn't be providing the toothbrush!! He was a much loved teacher and colleague, as well as a super friend. He should have been on the stage. Dave will leave a huge space in our lives, he really was one of a kind. John Finlon.