Dave, of Middlewich, passed away on 14th May 2026 aged 44 years. He was the devoted Husband of the late Sarah, precious Son to Jim and Sue, dearly loved Brother to Matthew and wife Linda, proud Uncle to Jack and friend to all. The funeral service will take place at Holmes Chapel Methodist church on Friday 5th June 2026 at 2pm, followed by committal at the Birches Crematorium. Family flowers only. Donations if desired to the James’ Place (Mens Mental Health).
I’ve been so saddened to see of Dave’s passing. He taught my eldest guitar at sandbach high and I remember his grabbing her attention with James Bond on lesson one, his gentle but pointed knowledgeable commentary at parents evenings and how much the girls school tours participants enjoyed his company and roasting. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a n’anam dilis. RIP.
To Dave,
I learned of your passing yesterday and am still in shock. It feels weird writing this but I wanted you to know how much you helped shape my life into what it is today. I’m sorry you were hurting so much, I really hope you’ve found peace with Sarah now.
I first knew of you through my brother Iain, who was friends with you at school. You were playing in the school canteen on an open evening I went to when I was around 10 or 11 years old, and in a vain attempt at looking cool in front of some friends I made up a story about how I knew the guitarist in the band and was going to get lessons from him. Complete lie at the time. Awkwardly, a few weeks later one of those friends, Mike Allen, unknowingly called my bluff by asking for your details as he wanted to get lessons himself. I had to open up that I had made the whole thing up but from that we then got hold of your details and both became two of your first students.
To say you had an influence on me cannot be overstated. You didn’t just teach me the guitar – you taught me how to fall in love with playing the guitar. I’m now 39 and have been playing guitar for 28 years, supporting myself as a musician for the last 12 years – and the main reason that’s the case is because you (and Jim, Sue and Matt) let me and many others into your home every week for the best part of 5/6 years to teach me the songs that I loved, laugh at me for liking the songs you thought were shit (but still learned and discussed them), or just chat through anything and everything on the weeks I hadn’t practiced much.
You taught me more than guitar, but how to feel music, how to break it down and rebuild it, listen to where the pulse of the music sits. I still envision you air drumming to Brad Wilk on an Audioslave track to teach me about feeling the offbeat and swing. Your passion for music was infectious and your frustration with me not practicing enough always showed how much potential you saw in others. I’m sorry that I still don’t practice modal harmony enough. Thank you Dave, I wouldn’t be who I am today without you. Rest in peace. Xx
Dave our daughter was lucky to have you as a teacher .
She loved every lesson with you.
We saw how passionate you were about teaching.
We won’t forget how much you inspired her.
She won’t.
Whenever she plays a gig we remind her where it started.
Sending love to your parents and family.
You won’t be forgotten.
Dave was such an intelligent & talented guy & he was an amazing husband & a rock to Sarah during her illness 😢
He will be sadly missed & I hope he is now reunited with Sarah, the love of his life & is now at peace ❤️ xx