Final wave rolls in for popular Dave Clark
Dave Clark was a well-liked and respected man who went out of his way to help anyone in need; nothing was ever too much trouble.
TRIBUTE
David Leslie Clark was born in Pietermaritzburg on September 21 in 1944 to Bill and Peggy Clark.
The family moved to Sunwich Port in 1952.
He completed all his schooling in Port Shepstone after which he went to Durban to complete his motor mechanic apprenticeship.
Dave, as he was known, later returned to the coast where he worked in the motor industry all his life.
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He was passionate about surfing and fishing, and never missed a sardine run.
Not being able to sit still in his retirement years, he got the perfect job as workshop manager at Port Shepstone Country Club, where he was able to enjoy his golf.
He also befriended two wild workshop cats, Tom and Foreman, who became his trusted office buddies.
In 1969 he met Dawn and they married in January 1970, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
They had two daughters, Brenda and Heather.
With his family now in tow, many early morning July sardine runs and boating weekends were spent between Shelly Beach and Hibberdene ski-boat bases.
Dave’s love of deep sea fishing never came to an end, with several trips to Mozambique with his brothers Billy and Allan, as well as a trip to Cahora Bassa, where they spent 10 days on a houseboat and he caught his first tiger fish.
A trip to Madagascar was also among the highlights.
He was a well-liked and respected man who went out of his way to help anyone in need; nothing was ever too much trouble.
Dave stood by and supported Dawn during her own battle with cancer.
He was a devoted father to Brenda and Heather and his passion for surfing rubbed off on Heather, who went on to become a world star.
They shared surfs on birthdays, Easter, Christmas and New Year’s Day, among many others.
She had him to thank for her sea legs and in all she achieved throughout her surfing career, he was her biggest fan and mentor.
Dave and Brenda enjoyed the odd fishing trip, be it on the river or on his paddle ski at sea.
Brenda never got into the mechanical side of things but always took care of his admin.
Dave was a doting grandfather to his two granddaughters Nicole and Kirsten, the apples of his eye, enjoying many trips to the beach, the workshop and to the airport to fetch Heather from overseas surfing trips.
He often commented on how fortunate he was to have his girls so close to him for so long, to watch them grown into the beautiful young women they are today.
Dave always enjoyed a good braai and drinks, with son-in-law David and daughter-in-law Menize.
In May this year Dave’s health took a turn for the worse and within six weeks he went from working, fishing and golfing to being bedridden and in a lot of pain.
He died on August 26 in the comfort of his home, with Dawn, Brenda and Heather at his side.
Dave will be sorely missed by his family, friends and all who knew him.
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