David Pearcy (1972-2014)

David Pearcy

1972 – 2014

Our friend David Pearcy died peacefully at home on September 6th, following a two-year battle with bowel cancer. He was just 42.

David was a long-time member of the Railway Society, a regular attendee at our Friday meetings and a keen participant of the summer excursions. His enthusiasm and cheerfulness will be greatly missed.

We said our last goodbyes on Thursday, 18th September. A Routemaster bus in London Transport livery carried David's friends in the procession from Slough Town FC Youth Club, Farnham Park to The Chilterns Crematorium, Amersham. A seat was kept for David, reserved by his ubiquitous over-filled rucksack, and local roadmaps.

It was 'standing room only' for the service of celebration and remembrance. At the family's request, people wore yellow and blue, the colours of Slough Town Football Club. There was a strong contingent from the STFC Supporters Club, and as the coffin was brought in, the fans chanted "David Pearcy's Rebel Army" (an adaptation of a chant regularly heard on the terraces at Slough Town games – the club nickname being 'The Rebels').

Eulogies were given by representatives from the many local groups in which David participated. SWRS Chairman, Barry Hodkinson, gave a tribute on behalf of the Railway Society (read it in full here). There were special floral tributes in the shape of a Slough Town football jersey, a London bus, and a railway locomotive, neatly summarising David's greatest passions in life.

In memory of David, his family have set up a Just Giving page where friends and relatives can donate to the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research which works in conjunction with Cancer Research UK. A collection was held on Friday night, and SWRS members donated £110 to the fund.

Donate to Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research

Our thoughts and best wishes are with David's family and his numerous friends.

Further Tributes

Don Roberts, life member and former Chairman of the SWRS, sent this tribute:

A few words for David.

I first met David when we had a stand at a local show many years ago. He stayed and chatted to us for some time and told us about his interest in railways. David also liked buses and probably his main interest was football. He followed and supported Slough Town and did stewarding for them, I think selling the programmes.

I can't remember when David joined the club but he had been a member for a very long time. He came on most of our trips and he liked to sell the drinks on the coach, a job he did very well for us. One year he had worked so hard for us that the committee awarded him The Alan Christmas Award. I was the Chairman at the time and I remember when I called out his name at the AGM the look of surprise on his face, he seemed to be in shock. He did after some persuading come up and collect the award.

When my Pat would travel to work on the bus in the morning David was often on her bus. He was sometimes singing songs with other passengers. If he saw Pat he would come and sit with her and chat until he got off in Langley. He knew all the local bus routes and all the drivers, I suppose because he travelled all the time on the buses.

He went to Langley College and did computer studies and from what he told me he was getting on well with it. I don't know how far he got but he was trying to better himself, and with his disabilities this was some achievement.

David tried to live an independent life and most of the time he did, because of his disabilities he would have to put up with people who should have known better being abusive to him. I never heard him complain and he was a happy and cheerful person.

I for one will miss David as will a lot of people, he died far too young. My condolences go to his Mum and Dad and his family and friends.

Don Roberts

On the SWRS Facebook page, long-standing SWRS member Steve Morgan left a message:

I knew David Pearcy very well, both in his railway activities, his disability activities and his football and when I was at the Manor he was a regular on a Friday night. He was always glad to see you and always had a cheery word for you and I never heard him say a bad word about anybody. He was a stalwart of the Society and supported it in all its activities if it didn't clash with his love for football.

The last time I saw David was to take him down in professional capacity as a hospital porter for an X-ray at Wexham Park Hospital and even then in the most abnormal of adversity he still had a cheery outlook on life. He had overcome many personal battles with his disability and his never-ending cheerful character and personality always shone through.

He will be surely missed by all at the SWRS and those that met and knew him.

Steve Morgan

 

David's family have been overwhelmed by the love and support expressed online on social media, particularly the Slough Town Football Club Twitter feed (search for #daveprogrammes).

Over £3300 has now been raised for Cancer Research through David's Just Giving page, far exceeding the original target of £2000. Nevertheless, please consider clicking on the link above and making a gift in David's memory.

If you would like to add your own tribute to David, either send an email to info@swrs.co.uk, or leave a message on the SWRS Facebook page.

Online Support

Slough Express (front page), 12th September 2014
Slough Express 12th September 2014

Tributes were published online by friends from Slough Town Football Club and the STFC Supporters Trust. And at the FA Cup match on 13th September, fans held a "minute's noise" in David's honour.

  • Warren Carter ('Brighton Rebel') gave this eulogy at the funeral on behalf of STFC. It was also published in the following Saturday's match programme.
  • Graham Kaye-Taylor posted this blog, and will be running for David's supported charity at the Royal Park Half Marathon.

 

The local newspapers also acknowledged the great love expressed for David: