Dave’s story

Dave is remembered by his family as a truly wonderful man — someone who was deeply loved by everyone who knew him.

A friend to all, Dave was a devoted husband of 40 years to his wife Caroline and a much-loved dad to his two children. He was funny, witty, and incredibly intelligent, with a caring and generous nature and a heart of gold.

Dave loved motorbikes, model railways and loud music, and took great pride in his record player and extensive vinyl collection. Above all else, he adored dogs, and dogs adored him in return, drawn to his unique and infectious energy.

“He was loved far more than he ever appreciated, and is missed more than words can say,” says his daughter Danielle. “He really was the glue that held us all together, both individually and as a family.”

“Dave always had the solutions to every problem we faced, no matter how complicated it seemed he could work everything out for us and make everything better.”

Dave’s death was extremely sudden, completely unexpected, and deeply traumatic for his family.

For more than 30 years, he lived with chronic illness and severe pain, showing extraordinary strength and determination throughout — something his family remain incredibly proud of. By sharing Dave’s story as part of Avma’s It Can Happen to Anyone campaign, his family hopes to honour his life and help prevent others from experiencing avoidable harm.

Their message to other families comes from lived experience: “Voice all the concerns you have; don’t doubt yourself if you feel that something is wrong. You are entitled to answers — seek them, but don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

And their message to those responsible for healthcare decision-making is clear and direct: “Ensure you have communicated all decisions and plans with each other, the patient, the patient’s family, and most importantly the patient’s records, as without accurate records there can be too much room for error and miscommunication.”