THE PASSING OF ANOTHER FORUM FRIEND

[Grandad]

RIP DABBY

It is with much sadness that I have to inform you that Don Blackwell, aka DAB19, passed away this morning in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Don was almost a founder member of the forum having joined on 11 February 2005, just a month after its inauguration. Many of you will remember Dons wit and dry humour and I have found his last two posts from Luxor4U and Egypt4U, both on 4 February 2009.



Don has been in poor health in recent years, since he had major heart surgery and then lost his dear companion Annie. I had the pleasure of getting to know Don via telephone and email but, in spite of our good intentions, we never actually got to meet.

I am sure you will all join me in sending our condolences to his family at their sad loss.

[Horus]

May I also add my condolences to his family, Up until a little while ago I would often chat with him on Skype and via emails, it was especially sad when his companion Annie passed away as he seemed a little lost after that. As with all these things you have little control over peoples lives and sadly the contact got more sporadic and even asking on here for him to join in had no results, so I assumed he had his own reasons as he often made comments about his PC. Just a stark reminder that we are all mortal and like many times before on the Luxor forums another well liked member passes on and they are always sadly missed. Dabby's baseball cap avatar always belied his real age and this youthful impression suited him very well as he was always young at heart, so goodbye dear friend and rest in peace.

[Kiya]

I'm so saddened to hear of Dabby's passing , he was a charactor really & if at any time you felt down he was sure to brighten your spirits.
I got to know him more personally via e-mails & I remember well when his partner Annie passed , he realy spoke from the heart when he lost her & for a long time after.

R.I.P Dabs you will be missed!

[Winged Isis]

I always enjoyed his posts. RIP.

[Horus]

There has been a post from my friend JoJo over on the Blue side to say that Don's daughter had rang to give her the sad news. She told her that Grandad had informed the various forums about his passing and she offered her thanks to him for doing so.

[Grandad]

Dons daughter Joanna told me that even as late as Monday afternoon, although he had difficulty with speech, he was giving her instructions about who he wanted told when he finally passed away. The forums were on that list and he asked Joanna to let you know through me.

What a man. Even when he knew that time was running out he wanted to make sure that those who had been his friends, albeit in many cases anonymous friends, should be told that he was no longer with us. Don was quite a private man and in the six or so years that we have corresponded he would never confirm his age to me. I believe he was 81 when he died but that is half guesswork.

We all seem to recall his posts from the wit and humour that they contained and I am sure that it will be that wit and humour for which he will be fondly remembered.

[Phantom]

Oh no. I only spoke to him last on Christmas Day, although he couldn't hear me properly he did try.

I think he did well to carry on after losing Annie, then his son and a quadruple heart operation. He also moved house not long ago which upset him.

He will long be remembered especially on Christmay day.

[Grandad]

DONS FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Dons daughter Joanna phoned me today to let me know the funeral arrangements for her father and, whilst she acknowledges that his forum friends lived far and wide, there may possibly be someone living in the South West who would like to attend. It would be a nice gesture if there was somebody who could represent the forums.

Funeral will take place at St Pauls Church, Durnford Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth. PL1 3QW at 11.00 on Tuesday 5 March 2013.

This will be followed by a private family cremation.

Joanna has arranged a wake at The Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club, Madeira Road, The Hoe, Plymouth. PL1 2NY from 12 noon. If there is anyone who will attend, please PM me as Joanna wants to ensure that she has catered for enough people.

Thank you.

[LovelyLadyLux]

Sincerest condolences to the family. May their loved one Rest Forever in Peace.

[Grandad]

I received a phone call from Dons daughter Joanna this morning telling me that she had had a bench installed at Devils Point, Plymouth, in memory of her father. It is identified with a brass plaque to Donald Blackwell and she wanted us to know just in case any of us might be that way and should take a break on Dons Bench.

Don lived just a few hundred yards from The Point and loved to walk there and just sit and watch the sea and the ships.

A fitting memorial I think to an old Royal Navy man.

[Kiya]

Awe thats a lovely memorial to Don, maybe some day I'll get that far for a visit & take a break on Don's bench .

[LovelyLadyLux]

Awww - what a lovely memorial idea.

[Grandad]

Awe thats a lovely memorial to Don, maybe some day I'll get that far for a visit & take a break on Don's bench .

Another bench to add to our list Kiya.

[Kiya]

Oh aye ! Grandad