‘He was so loving, we’ll all miss him’

LOVING tributes have been paid to a popular local man and father of two who lost his battle with cancer earlier this month.

David Stuart Mallaby from Langold passed away on 3rd March, aged 44-years-old. He was a loving husband to Joanne, and a devoted father to 12-year-old Olly and 14-year-old Lucy.

David worked at Job Centre Plus as an admin officer in the finance department, but had also spent the earlier years of his life as a title-winning boxer and boxing teacher at Langold Amateur Boxing Club, as well as a dental technician and more.

Joanne and David met in 1986 and married 10 years later.

“It was a true privilege for me to have met David,” said Joanne. “Although he died young, the time we had with him was pure quality.”

“He spent a lot of time with his kids and would always do anything to help his family in any way possible. David was such a fantastic role model for the children. Everybody says that the kids are so well-mannered, and that’s down to him. He was very laid back, down to Earth and loved a good laugh. Even when he was poorly, he kept a very positive attitude and was still there for others - especially his family.”

As well as being a doting father, David was also a very active person who loved the outdoors, and made many friends through his hobbies, work, university and being in boxing from the age of 12.

“He was also a DIY fanatic and would have a bash at anything,” said Joanne. “There were so many people at his funeral that they had to stand outside - I can’t believe how many people he touched in his life.”

Daughter Lucy said: “Dad always wanted the best from us. He’d help us whenever we needed him and always supported me in my amateur dramatics. Everybody he met says that he was a true gentleman.”

Lucy continued: “I’ll miss him because dad was a very good listener, and always accepted people for who they are.”

Olly added: “Everybody that he met liked him, and if there was ever anything that we wanted to do then dad would make the effort to drop everything and make it possible.”

The Mallaby family would like to thank Cedar House at Bassetlaw Hospice for all of their warmth and support during David’s illness. The family have raised £1,526 for Cedar House as a thank you so another family can benefit from their care. The family would also like to thank their family and friends for their support and anyone who donated to their fundraising.