In loving memory of David 'Dave' Nicholas Grosvenor who sadly passed away on 15th June 2019.
A loving husband and father to Jonathan, Natasha and Anthony.
David was born in east London to Patricia and Walter on New Year’s Eve at the start of the swinging sixties. He was brought up in Elm Park and was the eldest of three children. From what I understand he was not too happy about the arrival of his twin sisters and asked him mum why she had to bring home two siblings!
He had a very happy childhood going to scouts but his real passion was playing football. He passed his eleven plus and went to Gidea Park Grammar school but failed to fulfill his potential as football often got in the way of any learning. Holidays were happy memories too, visiting the Isle of White every year. We recently revisited the Isle of Wight on a very emotional memory trip and relived those memories, talking fondly of those times. I am sure Liz and Anne will be able to update on these times.
I met David in March of 1978, shortly after I moved from a mining village in South Yorkshire to the bright lights of London. We met in his local pub, where he liked to frequent, called the Bridge House in Upminster Bridge. We both worked for NatWest Bank, him on the processing machines, me in an office at Lothbury which then was their head office.
He knew how to treat a lady by taking me to music concerts to watch The Stranglers, The Jam, The Buzzcocks, The Clash and numerous other punk rock bands. Him with his short trousers, his jacket borrowed from his dad with paint all over it and the obligatory Doc Martins. After a visit, to the what I would loosely call the ladies, I understood why he wore those long Doc Martin Boots!
We got engaged in the spring of 1982 and were married at Rainham church on 27th August 1983. The day was very hot and had been so for the whole of the summer. We were joined by family and friends and was the best day of our lives thus far.
We honeymooned in Jersey but in the rush of leaving the reception I left my handbag behind with everything in it, so his dad had to drive down to Gatwick hotel to drop it off. As anyone that knows him, he did not see the funny side.
We revisited Jersey last October and again reliving some of our most precious memories.
After seven years of having some lovely holidays, we decided it was time to move onto the next step in our lives and along came our eldest Jonathan in January 1990, followed closely by Natasha in October 1991. Life was good and we were living in a nice house in Chelmsford until our world fell apart by illness followed by redundancy from NatWest Bank. David found this time of his life difficult but with support from his family we got through this and having moved to Eastbourne, our third son, Anthony arrived in August 1995. Our family was complete. In June 1996 we moved to our present home in Benfleet and David started his job with Transport for London as a station assistant in the city.
Things were settled, our family became his whole world and every year there was a family holiday, with eastern France being the preferred destination, whilst the children were young. Enjoying good times in some superb campsites and good weather.
David was very proud of all his children encouraging them to make the most of their talents whether it be academic as with Jonathan and Natasha both gaining degrees or Anthony achieving great things in his chosen sport of cricket. All the three children are well rounded, confident young adults and we are both extremely proud.
As the children grew into adults we then began to start the next step in our lives and went on holidays often twice a year to his favourite place, Cyprus. Unfortunately this has been cut short by this terrible illness and I know he felt robbed of the good times to come and would apologise daily.
He had no need to apologise to me. It has been a great pleasure to have been loved by David and I feel lucky to have spent 41 years of my life with him. He will always be my husband and soulmate and the father of our children. Rest in peace my love and we will meet again I am certain.
David, I was thinking of you today, and looked you up. So sad. We went to RLS together and we played tennis,first at Raphaels Park and then Gidea Park tennis club. How posh ! Ive lived in California for over thirty years and often thought about those 'tennis summers' 1973-77. We went to Wimbledon together around 1977. RIP big man.
Sorry for your loss.
Thankyou for your donay. Will be used to give outstanding care to those who need it x
Thinking of Dave again today. My first venture to a nightclub 'The Cellar Bar' on the same road as Romford dogs. Dave and I drinking rum and black. Maybe 1977-78. Thinking of you Dave.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Definitely a scout!
Great photo 🥰
Lovely piccy of two of the loves in Dave's life
Awww that happy smiley face. Miss him so much🥰
REMEMBERING YOU - OUR BIG BROTHER
David our brother, I have uploaded a few happy memories via photos on this fab memorial website which speaks volumes in itself: from our growing up years with our lovely Mum and Dad and our regular family days out to piccies of your lovely own family: Wendy, Jon, Tash and Anthony and then of course the celebratory weddings, big birthdays and anniversaries over the years.
What can I say, you have been taken away from us all far too early but I know you will continue to look out for your loved ones from the other side. You will now forever be my rainbow just like the rainbow which appeared on my last journey down the A127 to your house on the early evening of your passing away so I will keep an eye out for you. Lessons in life for all of us come far too late. We will all miss you big bruv but rest assured we will never forget you!
Goodnight.
All my love until we meet again in the next life ...
Anne
x
Lovely words Anne thanks😘
You'll always be remembered Bruv.
Rest in Peace... til we meet again ...
Lots of love Anne and Marce, Lawrence and Dominica
A huge thank you to Havens xxx
Thankyou they have been outstanding 😘
Walthamstow with Jon and Tash
They were and always our world😘
Wife and Mum ... lovely
1988 - a few moons ago; lovely memories
At mum and dad's Golden Wedding anniversary
Wow this was just before his back operation
All looking handsome 😘
At Anne/Marce's wedding day; lovely memories
Lovely day that was 😘
David and cousin Peter
Watch the birdie Peter ... 😋
School photo
Always that big smile. Miss this most I think. 😘😢
Lovely wedding day pic
See still smiling. Almost 36 years needed more taken from me just as we were entering the best to come. Miss you love you always 😔🥰
Always in our thoughts. Will forever be remembered. xx
Thankyou couldn’t have got through without them 😘
Lovely photo!
Awww lovely pic of the three of you x
Haha not too happy here 😂
REMEMBERING OUR BROTHER DAVID
On New Year’s Eve, 1960 our bro’ David Nicholas was born
The apple of our mum’s eye from the moment he came into the World
We lived at 23 Hugo Gardens, Elm Park from birth until he married - and had lots of good memories there, being the eldest of three so believing he was in charge
so when his twin skin and blisters (me and Anne) came along
we probably annoyed him like mad
and growing up, as siblings do would always be falling out
‘just a tad’
We would play our own records on his player unbeknownst to him
(cos we knew it would have created merry hell)
But his punk music certainly also didn’t go down too well!
Dad got him earphones when playing this lovely stuff
It’s a shame it wasn’t soul or funk but for Dave it was always
PUNK PUNK PUNK
Dave was an ardent Man. U. Fan
And had always played footie from a kid
He played in defence – which made sense as he was always tall
And played for a pretty good local side – Gidea Park Rangers
As well as the school
Being clever and having passed the 11+ he went to Royal Liberty High School for Boys
and footie and cricket continued to be a must
But he was also in a production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “Pirates of Penzance!” Yes, he really was, I remember going to watch him with the family
I think he secretly loved dressing up being a pirate and pretending to be at sea!
Family holidays were at the Isle of Wight
- Great times with the family which started from the time of getting on the ferry
- Staying at Fort Spinney
- Having fun on the beaches at Sandown, Shanklin, Ventnor & Ryde
- Exploring the Island cos there was so much to see
- And doing lots as a family
When Dave first brought Wendy home I could soon see she was “the one for me”
And it wasn’t long before they tied the knot in August '83
Dave has always been proud of his kids and all what they have achieved – Jon, ‘Tasha and Anthony as they have set out accomplishing their goals
As well as being there as their dad when in need
I cannot believe what has happened
And what an “annus horribilis” year it’s been
Losing our brother, much loved husband, dad and son
It’s felt at times like a very bad dream
We may not have always seen eye to eye
And been a bit like chalk and cheese
But you will always be our brother
And we love you, Rest In Peace (till we meet again)
Lovely words Liz
You were taken too young David. Rest in peace x
You were taken too young David. Rest in peace x
RIP, David
Thankyou so much. X
Definitely a scout!
Lovely piccy of two of the loves in Dave's life
Walthamstow with Jon and Tash
Wife and Mum ... lovely
1988 - a few moons ago; lovely memories
At mum and dad's Golden Wedding anniversary
At Anne/Marce's wedding day; lovely memories
David and cousin Peter
School photo
Lovely wedding day pic
Dave, Natasha and Anthony
Me and Dave at his sister’s wedding.
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