Dave Jolly, 27th July 1954 – 10th April 2009.
R.I.P. Old mate & champion bloke.
A great old mate and champion bloke you will always be Dave. I promised Jane I’ll never talk about you in the past tense. We go back a long way, it’s just that for now I can’t joke around and have a drink with you.
The frustration of living in that broken body is over for you. Your resting peacefully now, looking down on old mates and reliving wonderful times you shared with them.
It’s a privilege for me to let those who don’t know you, the qualities you brought to this world. Dave Jolly, plumber by trade and by all accounts a perfectionist in your work. A black belt in karate who also excelled in judo. A gifted guitar player who loved music. You can also turn your hand to pottery and woodwork. A horse rider of note and excellent in many sports. A lover of women, and can literally charm the pants off them. A generous man who’d help anyone in need. A mate who’d stand with you, backs to the wall. A no nonsense guy who spoke his mind and laid it straight down the line.
Ryde RSL Basketball Team, 1970, we were just 16 years old. Aussie Brian No.7 & Dave Jolly No.10
Man, we got up to so much mischief at school, to say we were a couple of scallywags is an under statement. We made love to the girls and fought the boys. Beating up bullies was something we did often and enjoyed!
As young men we travelled the coast line of Australia surfing (and still getting up to ‘mischief’). Fantastic times we had Dave. We still never shirked away from a blue, even had a couple between us. Thanks for the broken nose and fractured elbow old mate. Guess what, I loved every minute of it, although I still reckon the head butt was a cheap shot :-)
July 2008, two old mates. I made you get out of your wheelchair, otherwise I wouldn't pose with you. We had to prop you up to the hand rail, took some guts and a big effort on your part. Thank you Dave.
Jane let me say goodbye to you the day before your funeral. You knew I was weeping, I could sense you telling me what a big girl I was for doing it. It was hard Dave, I was cussing you and demanding you open your eyes and let me know you didn’t mind. I’m being a big girl right now and can hardly see the keyboard.
I placed a badge on your casket at your funeral, it was The Southern Cross, Eureka Stockade one I wear on my my leather vest. It was cremated with you my old mate. Jane is going to send me some ashes so I can grow a huge fig tree over them. You’ll look over my dam and the wild life for centuries to come.
A kiss and a hug for your lovely lady and soul mate Jane, July 2008
At your wake, I met a few of your nephews and nieces. The boys said they never knew you that well, let me tell you Dave, they certainly do now. I took the boys aside and we spent the evening drinking and me telling yarns about their Uncle Dave, things I couldn’t share with the girls. They loved it, saying, “Uncle Dave was a legend, we never knew.”
Jane offered me some of your tools as mementos Dave. I picked out some that had your name on them. I told her we’d be building sheds and other things together, Jane reckons you’ll be happy about that.
For the time being that’s it from me old mate Dave. Rest peacefully dear friend.
Always thinking of you …. Brian.
No related posts.
Requiem for an uncommon man.
Thank you Jeff. Dave is one of those rarities, a champion bloke.
I’ll be having a cold one on your great mate, Brian. And on you too.
Because it is great to see friendship such as this. It is great to hear you talk about your friend like this. Which says a lot about what a great man you are too.
And I’m looking forward to the day I can have a cold one with both of you…
Thank you Johann. Dave loves a cold beer, and he’s partial to a drop of Cougar bourbon. I don’t know whether you can get Cougar in your local UK pub, if you can, have a nip or two in his honour.
And you’re welcome to drop in to my place any time you’re globe trotting this part of the world. It’s a little bit of paradise, where every day’s a Sunday :-) I think you’d enjoy it.
Thank you too, Brian.
I’ll have to take you up on that one.
Hey Brian, theres proof how strong friendship really is. The death of a loved one or mate can bring a grown man tears and it was very moving reading what you wrote about your mate dave . I’m sorry for your loss!
Thanks for that Lachlan. Old mate Dave’s been gone for 18 months already. Still think about him every day! Shit, we had some great times together in the old days :-)