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Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: Jim Allen on March 18, 2020, 01:19:43 am

Title: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 18, 2020, 01:19:43 am

After illness a very dear friend of mine has passed away, I am beyond upset today.
RIP Dave.

---

A story for you.

About 18 years ago, whilst working on a building site in Den Helder (NL), I met Dave. Dave had a serious drug & alcohol addiction and was sleeping rough in one of the sea containers on-site used for storing tools.

Everyone avoided Dave, but for some reason, I started to share my lunch with him daily until the building project came to an end some 3 months later.

About a year went by when out of the blue I got a call from my boss, informing me a rough-looking man had shown up in the office asking for my contact details. It was Dave and, I insisted he stayed at my home.

Most might consider this a lack of judgment and, if I'm honest, I half expect to find the house ransacked and the TV missing after the first day, instead, however, the house was cleaned and dinner was cooked.

Dave got a job and stayed for nearly 10 weeks. He asked me once how I had known that he wasn't going to rip me off. I told him I didn't, a leap of faith.

5 years later a recession in the Netherlands, I was broke, struggling to pay the rent, let alone food. So, I decided to travel to Ireland to find work. Our paths crossed again, Dave now with his life back on track and myself in a less fortunate place. Dave insisted that I stayed with him and he helped me find employment.

Whenever Dave got the chance, much to my annoyance, he would tell people to meet the guy who saved his life and tell a grandiose version of this story.

We remained very close over the years and, my children knew him as uncle Dave and loved him.

RIP Dave, you will be missed.

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 18, 2020, 11:59:02 am

Had lots of emails and PM from people, and I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time and the support is appreciated.   :)

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Grasshopper on March 18, 2020, 12:24:39 pm

Gecondoleerd, sterkte en berusting

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 18, 2020, 02:57:15 pm

Bedankt.

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: harleymc on March 19, 2020, 03:42:54 am

Jim, sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story.

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 19, 2020, 04:27:02 am

Thanks

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Loa111 on March 19, 2020, 04:51:58 am

Very sorry to hear Jim. He sounds like a gentleman of excellent character and good heart. RIP.

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 19, 2020, 09:54:39 am

Thanks, he was a character alright and, I'm glad I had the pleasure of his friendship. 

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 21, 2020, 05:13:38 pm

Services were today.

Was nice but sad of course.

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Ptrk3 on March 21, 2020, 06:51:11 pm

I'm very sorry to read of the loss of your dear friend, Jim. Please accept my deepest sympathies. May he rest in peace.

Stay safe through these unusual times.

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 21, 2020, 07:15:08 pm

Thanks, appreciate it.

Services included bringing the ashes home on a motorcycle ride, he would have loved it as he was a big time biker.

Best Jim

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jody on March 23, 2020, 02:58:51 pm

Jim...sorry for the loss of your dear friend Dave. ♡♡

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: OneTampa on March 23, 2020, 06:42:08 pm

Jim, sorry for your loss of Friend David.

(https://i.imgur.com/W7MWEhw.png)

Take care,

OT

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Tonny2 on March 23, 2020, 08:50:25 pm

        ojo.     I am sorry for your loss Jim... You are a good guy, definitely... That’s a really nice story... When uncle DAVE  talked to his friends about you as he did it was because you deserved it, and I respect  and admire you for all you do on these forums.


HONOR A QUIEN HONOR MERECE.  (For you Jim)

R.i.p.

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 24, 2020, 05:30:34 am

Thanks, I appreciate all the kind comments.

Hugs, Jim

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Cosmicdancer on March 25, 2020, 05:42:41 pm

Sorry for your loss, Jim. That was a beautiful tribute to him. Thank you for sharing it.

Title: Re: RIP David Larkin
Post by: Jim Allen on March 25, 2020, 09:30:21 pm

Thanks.