Celebration Of
Life
David Edward Suddes ‘Dave’
24th May 1988 – 25th March 2022
Woollensbrook Crematorium Hoddesdon
Monday 25th April 2022 11.00am
Service conducted by Celebrant Graham Ellis
In Loving Memory of David Suddes
Entrance
I’ll be there for you, The Rembrandts
Words of Welcome
Poem
Do not stand by my grave
Music
Memories, Maroon 5
Family tributes and memories of Dave
Music
Because I got high, Afroman
Family tributes and memories of Dave
Reflection Music
Follow me, Uncle Kracker
Poem
Gone too Soon
Our Time to Give Thanks
Farewell
Closing Words
See you again, Wiz Khalifa feat Charlie Puth
Welcome
Good morning, on behalf of Lorraine and Ken, I offer you a warm welcome
and thank you for coming together today.
My name is Graham Ellis, and it is my honour to be here with you today as
we gather to
celebrate the life of a very special man David Suddes or Dave as he was
known.
I would also like to welcome those of you joining us via our webcast
today, especially Paula and Hillzy.
I know that today is a sad day, but I hope that by the end of our time
together you will feel glad to have been part of it.
That you will have felt that it has been a special time for each of you in
your own way,
to say goodbye to a man who touched so many of your lives.
Whatever cares the world has for you outside of this room, leave them
there and take this time to remember
and to celebrate Dave’s life and to grieve his loss.
Your grief is valid, so feel free to remain silent, cry or laugh as you
need to.
When someone we love dies nothing can prevent the sorrow and sadness that
we feel.
Grief, unfortunately, is an inevitable part of life.
When we fall in love, we invite the possibility of grief.
When we have children, we invite the possibility of grief.
When we simply love, we invite in the possibility of grief.
Grief is the price we pay for love and the only way to avoid grief is to
avoid love.
Dave is no longer with us, and it is natural that we should be sad because
in a practical sense, he is no longer a part of our daily lives.
But the joy, the reassurance, and the gratitude of having had him in your
lives will never be lost.
So today is not just about saying a sad goodbye, it is a day to give
thanks for his life so that he will continue to
live on in your thoughts and in your hearts forever.
Poem
Lorraine and Ken have chosen a lovely poem to start our service with I am
honoured to be reading it on their behalf.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!
Music
Dave’s Mum has chosen a beautiful song for us to take a moment to listen
to and it’s Memories by Maroon 5.
Family tributes and memories of Dave
We now have some wonderful tributes for Dave so can we start by inviting
Jodie up to the lectern please .
I never thought I'd stand here to say goodbye to you, I never thought for
a second that we would lose you so soon.
My dearest friend for the longest time, I don't know what to do? I held
your hand in your final days and made a promise to you..
that I will always be there for your mum, family, and close friends to,
you smiled,
clenched my hand coz you absolutely knew, and you struggled to say the
words "I love you to"
I will never forget you David for you mean so much to me, my whole
childhood is filled with the bestest memories!
you will never leave my thoughts, my mind or heart. David Edward Suddes
I've loved you from the start!
Thank you Jodie.
I would now like to read some lovely words on behalf of Angela.
A heart of gold that stopped beating, A body of armour that could fight no
more.Two shining eyes that are now at rest.
For these are for a truly amazing man that I fell in love with, that will
now guide me through my worries, that will be here to protect me.
Dave will always be by my side and will have a place within my heart.
For the time we had together wasn't long, but within that time I found
love, I found a friend, I found a soul mate who I could cherish.
Dave loved me for who I am and the love I could give. The time we spent
together was filled with laughter and love, never sadness or any tears.
Though I am so lucky to have had Dave be part of my life, now that shining
Angel within the stars,
I know he will always be here with me and his family protecting us all.
Until the day we meet again, sleep tight Dave, all my love, Angela
This is from the Bakehouse Team
For those of you that had the privilege of working with Dave would know
that it was simply impossible to dread working a shift with him.
You would never need to physically see him to know he was around, all the
confirmation you’d need was the smell of lynx
and a freshly opened can of emerge sitting on the glass wash.
You could never dread a shift with him because he just made life easier.
Be it a joke or funny anecdote to keep your spirits high on an awful day,
the cosiest of hugs when you were feeling low, or taking over a job you
just really didn’t want to do.
There was nothing that he wouldn’t do for
you,
except polish cutlery, Nat’s had to take one for the team on that many a
time.
There has never been another employee to be so kind and helpful as he was.
Dave was the go-to for any newcomer,
he made you feel so welcome, as if there was nothing you couldn’t ask him,
no question was too silly and he was
never one to belittle but to educate
instead.
If you’d ask anyone what Dave was like they’d tell you how funny he was,
smart, kind, compassionate, supportive,
helpful, the list really does go
on.
But above all else, they’d say he was a friend.
A friend to everyone that
had the pleasure of meeting him.
It’s hard to put into words how very missed he’ll be by the staff and the
customers at the bakehouse.
It’s safe to say that there is now a big whole in our family where he used
to be but that doesn’t mean he’ll be forgotten.
The memory, the heart, and the compassion of him will be carried with so
many people for as long as they live.
Because how could you ever, forget a man as special as our Dave. Rest in
paradise you wonderful man,
for this isn’t goodbye but simply see you later until we meet again.
This next tribute is from Dave’s oldest friend
Stewart:
I was 6 years old when I met Dave as a couple of mischievous kids who
loved playing football and runouts, that’s
when I first realised Dave was a terrible loser - and an even worse
winner!
Fast forward to ours teen years not much changed, we'd spend hours playing
street fighter and Halo,
and Dave was extremely competitive as was I,
I'm still not entirely sure who won.
I have thousands upon thousands of amazing times and memories with Dave,
most of which were spent in the legendary
conservatory... if you've been in there you'll know!
Our forever growing group of friends all shoulder to shoulder laughing and
giggling and doing absolutely
nothing we shouldn't have done (or so his mum thought).
As growing boys turning into men, earning our own money we got to enjoy
going to Weymouth with, Hillzy, Jodie, Rachel.
We had a blast, one day we went go karting which started with Hillzy
crashing into Dave, and ended with me and
Dave neck and neck to hit the
finish line,
aside from that, the rest is a blur which could be related to alcohol
consumption... who knows?
Our best getaway was to Amsterdam, our first holiday without our parents,
our first lads holiday.
Safe to say as a group of young lads we were in our element, we
experienced the red-light district,
which was definitely an experience... Louis, Dave and myself had a
leisurely stroll through the district where
Dave told me not look to my
left...
of course I did. I turned around to a very confident,
yet unattractive
women begging to show me a good time, whilst showing me body parts for
free.
Dave thought it was hilarious especially as the only thing I thought to do
was run, run as fast as I could back to our hostel.
Our holiday finished with Dave being blamed for losing the key to our
room, and Dave being as headstrong as he was,
was adamant that it wasn't him... of course it wasn't,
Dave had a great memory, I found the key in my trouser pocket but couldn't
admit it was my fault...
my sweet, sweet revenge for the previous outing.
Dave wasn't just my best mate; he was my brother. So make sure you save me
a seat fella, I miss you so much...
the next song is for you brother, If Amsterdam was a song..this is what it
would be.
Because I got High, Afroman
What a great song,
I'm now honoured to be reading a tributes from Dave’s Mum and Dad
Dave, it's Dad. You were cruelly taken so soon; this is not the way it is
supposed to be.
You have always been a kind, caring and wonderful Son, Brother, Uncle and
Friend.
I do miss you so much, somehow the place will not be the same without you,
however, you will always be here in My Heart.
Myself, Mum, Mike, Gemma, Jasmine and all your Friends and Relatives will
be here to keep your memory alive.
Until we meet again, sleep tight my Son. Love always, Dad.
And now we hear from Lorraine:
Hey David, my son over your 33 years you caused me some grief but it never
stopped me loving
you and now you are causing more grief but this grief will never go away
but once again it will never stop me loving you.
I miss you terribly but you can always come to visit me if it’s possible.
Love you forever David until we meet again, sleep tight sweetheart.
Love mum
Finally, this is from Emily.
Dave,
I still can't believe I'm writing this, how is it possible this is the
last time I'm going to talk to you?
I have so many things I want to say to you... but I'll keep it short, I
want to thank you.
Thank you for the irreplaceable and unforgettable memories, thank you for
laughing with me, crying with me and just being you -
I can't describe how much I miss you, and to get through this I'll need
your help, please just stick around and
just let me know your still here, nothing freaky though, you know I'm a
wimp.
You asked me in your final days "why me Em?", and there is only one simple
answer, in a meadow full of flowers...
you would only pick the most beautiful, and that you are Dave, I'm in awe
of your strength and bravery in a time where there was no need.
When I think of all the memories we share the one that I always come back
to is the day we were in your conservatory chatting away,
and your mum came in and you got in an argument about taking up the
washing basket,
I can just remember how awkward Stu and I felt, it’s awful sitting there
watching your mate getting a grilling from their mum,
especially when they're in their 30's, and you wouldn't let us leave... so
cheers for that mate.
My final promise to you Dave, is that for as long as me and Stu are around
Mum, dad and Michael will never be alone,
and we will always look out for them, because I need them too... they are
the bravest, strongest,
and most wonderful people, and they are my family
too.
So it's only goodbye for now, for we will see each other again, my best
friend, my brother from another mother.
Spread your wings and sleep in perfect peace my darling.
Reflection Music
We are now going to listen to a great song which is ‘Follow Me’ by Uncle
Kracker chosen simply because Dave loved it.
While we listen, we are going to be able to see some lovely pictures from
Dave's life so please take this time to watch,
listen and to think about Dave in your own way.
Poem
Emily and Stewart has chosen a beautiful poem for their friend and once
again I am honoured to be reading it on their behalf
Words cannot describe the loss I feel
Saying farewell to you
but heaven chose to give you wings
and now it's time you flew
I wish that we could have more time,
That God had let you stay
Forever would not be long enough
But I would take one day
I wish I had just one more chance
To see that tender smile
To laugh with you again my dear
Just for a little while
Gone too soon but not forgotten,
Forever he will remain,
My guiding light, my shining star,
Until I see your face again
Our Time to Give Thanks
For all that Dave was. We give thanks.
For the memories we treasure today. We give thanks.
For all that he was as a son, a brother, a nephew, an uncle, and a friend.
We give thanks.
For all that was good in his life, his love for his family and his
friends, for Manchester United and for getting high with his friends. We
give thanks.
As we remember Dave today, we remember all whom we love and see no longer,
but most of all we give thanks that he was part of our lives and a part of
us.
Commendation and Farewell
Please be upstanding.
Let us commend Dave onwards in the love of his family and friends.
Into the freedom of wind and sunshine, we let you go.
Into the dance of the stars and planets, Dave, we let you go.
Into the wind’s breath, we let you go.
We love you. We miss you. We want you to be free and happy.
Go softly. Go onwards on your journey. we let you go.
Dave, you have completed your journey here on earth. Your life we honour,
your departure we reluctantly accept. Your memory we cherish forever.
We wish you well as we send you on this next stage of your journey with
our blessing, love, and thanks.
We grieve at your passing, and we stand here, together, honouring your
life,
and we give thanks for having had the privilege of sharing it with
you.
Rest now at the end of your days, your work is done.
Rest in the hearts and minds of all who knew you.
May your mum and dad, Michael, Emily, Stewart and the rest of your family
and friends
find comfort in the memories of your life and the times you
spent together.
May they find support and love both from one another and from their
friends in the days, weeks, and months to come.
And may they find strength in their hearts Dave, because of your unending
and enduring love for them. Rest in Peace Dave.
Closing Words
Well, that brings us towards the end of our service and as I said at the
start, I hope that you feel glad to have been a part of it.
On behalf of Lorraine and Ken I would like to thank you once again for
coming together today and to extend an invitation to join them at
The Bakehouse in Welwyn Garden City for some refreshments and the chance
to share your own stories and memories of Dave.
If you would like to make a charitable donation in Dave’s name, then the
family have chosen
to support both MacMillan Nurses and The Cats
Protection League.
There are details of how to donate on the back of your order of service or
if you prefer there is also a collection box as you leave the chapel.
I
It has been an honour for me to have been chosen to deliver today's service
and it has been a privilege to have got to have known Dave and his family
in a small way.
When you leave here today, leave with peace in your hearts and the
contentment that you came to honour
and to say farewell to
such a special and very much-loved gentleman.
As you entered the chapel today, we heard the theme tune to Friends as
Dave loved the show and he and his friends would quote the show a lot.
Dave really enjoyed the Fast and Furious films so this final song is taken
from the end of one of those films which was a really poignant moment.
It’s also been chosen as the sentiment and the words are perfect for right
now.
The family are going to hold back to spend a moment alone with Dave so
please take a moment of reflection before you leave. Thank you.
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1997 - PRESENT