Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: Maggi Young on July 04, 2012, 03:23:02 PM

Title: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Maggi Young on July 04, 2012, 03:23:02 PM
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It is with the  greatest sadness that I must inform you of the passing of Forumist David Quinton, from Cambridgeshire.
David has died after a long battle with illness, faced with fortitude and with his thoughts being not for himself but ever for the feelings of his dear family.

It is always a sad thing  when a vigorous young person loses his life far too early and I am sure there will be no-one in this circle who will not be distressed to learn this news.
 
A fine young  man  with so much still to contribute to society, we will feel David's loss here as an enthusiastic grower of  galanthus, always happy to discuss his favourite flowers and interact with other 'galanthophiles' personally and in these pages.


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John Finch and David Quinton at the RHS Show in London- Tuesday 14th March 2012

David was fortunate to have the support of his loving family, in particular his wife Katherine and his precious son, James and while he has been sustained by their love through his illness, it is to them that we must now turn our thoughts and good wishes, to offer them our condolences and support through these sad days.

David was pleased to have been able to publish his very own snowdrop book (as mentioned earlier in the Galanthus pages http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=7687.msg248294#msg248294 (http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=7687.msg248294#msg248294)) - he said as "something for his family to remember him by" and I believe it was a project that was therapeutic for him to work on when he was so ill.  Now there is a tangible reminder of his love for the little white flowers of spring, and of his dedication to his loved ones in producing the book.
Young James may not grasp the full import of this now, but in years to come I trust it will serve as a fine memorial to his Father.

David was bright, intelligent and was fun to correspond with. The death of such a person at a young age is beyond comprehension for all his many friends.

We can only imagine the terrible loss felt by Katherine, James and the rest of David's family but there is some comfort that he was able to pass peacefully away on Monday afternoon, in his own home, with his devoted family around him.

His much loved wife Katherine has asked that this news be passed on to you all.


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The beautiful snowdrop named by David  for Katherine and James.

 Brian Ellis has said of the book: 
Quote
In it David shares with us 30 of his favourite snowdrops and tries to explain their appeal to him for the edification of his family. It is illustrated with his own marvellous photographs and I hope he doesn't mind me sharing a page with you which shows a discovery of his named after his wife and son.  It's certainly a book that I will treasure, all the more for the fact that one he describes was found when David King, John Finch and I were with him at Snowdrop Acre.

David will be truly missed and we send our kindest condolences to all his family. 
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: David Nicholson on July 04, 2012, 03:30:41 PM
How sad. I never had the pleasure of meeting David other than through these pages but he came across as an immensely likeable and knowledgeable young man who was always willing to share his interest and knowledge with others. He will be sadly missed here and my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Mavers on July 04, 2012, 05:04:44 PM

I'm sorry to say I never knew David personally.

It is so very sad to see someone so young lose their fight for life.

Thank you for posting this sad news Maggi.

Mike
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Martin Baxendale on July 04, 2012, 05:12:13 PM
Very, very sorry to hear this. Thanks for letting us know, Maggi.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: mark smyth on July 04, 2012, 05:55:36 PM
Maggi has said it really well.

I'll say no more except I met him many times and yes he was a great guy.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Michael J Campbell on July 04, 2012, 07:44:07 PM
Very sad to hear about the death of David, my sincere condolences to his wife and family.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: angie on July 04, 2012, 08:29:43 PM
So sad, I never knew him personally but when I hear of someone so young losing their life it makes me really sad.

Angie
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Alan_b on July 04, 2012, 09:33:05 PM
I got to know David through his posts on the forum, met him briefly in person a few times, would have liked to have got to know him better - but now never will.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: johnw on July 04, 2012, 10:53:53 PM
I have tried to write this note several times.  Let it just be said that although we never met David he was always kind and generous with his time and knowledge.   Over the past year his paramount concern was for his young boy and his wife.  His emails during this period touched me deeply.  We have lost a dedicated and talented young man who will be missed by the many who so admired him.

We will treasure his beautiful book, a fine tribute to this passionate plantsman.

johnw
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Lina Hesseling on July 04, 2012, 11:02:40 PM
This is very sad news indeed.
It is a tragedy when someone dies in this young age.
My thoughts are with his wife and his son.

Lina.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: John Aipassa on July 04, 2012, 11:06:11 PM
My thoughts and sympathy goes to his wife and young boy.

As for David? He walks with God now. I can't imagine a better place to be.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: loes on July 04, 2012, 11:28:18 PM
Very sad to hear this news.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Brian Ellis on July 05, 2012, 12:22:33 AM
I first met David through the forum, one of many friendships that have been made, I had posted a picture of Galanthus ‘Three Ships’ and David sent me a pm asking where I had obtained it.  Fortunately for him I had chipped it and sent him some two year old chips which he grew on.  He repayed the favour several times by collecting snowdrops for me when he was whizzing around the country (for work of course) and visiting nurseries and growers as he went. So began a seasonal correspondence and his emails were always a pleasure to receive and quite often very amusing.

He and Katherine came over to see my snowdrops and we met up at several snowdrop events notably the Glen Chantry Snowdrop Days when we met up with John Finch; and a visit to Ann Borrill’s followed by the Greatorex garden where we all found some interesting snowdrops, his find being pictured in his book.  Those were the first of quite a few meetings on snowdrop visits and it was always good to see him at events and catch up with the latest snowdrop news.

His illness struck and his attendance wasn’t always possible, but he remained an active member of the forum, and we often kept each other up to date; and this spring, although he was hospitalised for a large amount of the time, you always knew when he was getting on better as you could see that he had logged on and been following the news on the forum.  It was good to see that Katherine had persuaded him to go down to the RHS halls this March, it was very tiring for him but he was pleased to have made the effort. 

Producing the book was a marvellous project to help through his illness and to leave as a legacy, like John I shall treasure my signed copy.  One can only hope that his son James will grow up to be like his father, certainly his enjoyment of football was a source of great pride to David.  Up until a few weeks ago we were still talking about swapping snowdrops which he might have enjoyed seeing this Autumn and Spring next year, sadly it was not to be and he will be sorely missed.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Lesley Cox on July 05, 2012, 02:32:52 AM
So very sad, and incomprehensible to others whether we believe in a loving God or whether we don't. I would like to add my condolences to  the others here, for Katherine and James and from the far south, add the Maori words, Kia kaha - Stay strong.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Oakwood on July 05, 2012, 10:55:22 AM
very sad  - my condolences for family........... as we say here Пусть земля ему будет пухом....
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: emma T on July 06, 2012, 09:51:00 AM
So very sorry to hear this. I am pleased i meet him. My heart goes out to his family
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Arykana on July 06, 2012, 10:12:23 AM
My deepest sympathy for his family.  Hope, he is in  heavenly gardens and surrounded by beautiful flowers
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Sean Fox on July 06, 2012, 10:56:37 AM
My heart felt condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace David.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Ding Dong on July 06, 2012, 03:46:03 PM
So very, very sorry to hear this sad news - condolences to all of Dave's family.  You will be missed by all of your friends at Avon Bulbs, may you rest in peace.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: steve owen on July 08, 2012, 11:20:00 AM
Well, rock on David. We are all placed here for a season to live, learn, laugh, love, grow snowdrops, argue over Arsenal and Manchester United - but its all a prelude to the extraordinary things that await us all and to which David has beaten us.  If perchance his family read these contributions, take heart - its just an interruption, not a severance.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: GoodGrief on July 08, 2012, 05:04:28 PM
Nicely put...
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Jo on July 09, 2012, 09:55:14 AM
What sad news,  he will be remembered by all of us on the forum with great respect.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Maggi Young on July 10, 2012, 09:42:27 PM
Details of David's funeral:

Monday 16th July 2012

Service to be held at St. John the Baptist Church, Church Street, Woodhurst PE28 3BN    at 11.15am

Katherine requests that traditional funeral attire is worn.

There will be a private burial after the service in the churchyard behind the church and David's family request that as many people as possible could make their way to The Windmill Public House and Restaurant,  St. Ives Road, Somersham, PE28 3ET, whilst this is taking place.

Please note that there is not a car park. Parking in a nearby field might be arranged

The request is for family flowers only but if you would like to make a donation two charities are being supported:

The Macmillan Woodland Centre.  Cheques need to be made payable to 'Hinchingbrooke HCT Charity - Woodlands Centre' -" for the help that we have received over the last few months".

The Woodhurst Church Repair Fund. Cheques should be made payable to 'St. John the Baptist Church, Woodhurst'  - "David was always very fond of church buildings and was very sad when our village church started to collapse.  One of his ambitions was to live in a converted church".

Cheques should be sent to:

Dennis Easton Funeral Services The Lodge 1 Broad Leas St. Ives Cambs. PE27 5PU

Please ensure that you show that your donation is for David.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Hagen Engelmann on July 12, 2012, 03:10:16 PM
There was no right moment to meet David this year in GB.
Now it is too late.

We Galanthophile lost Günter Waldorf
and now also David Quinton.
Both, thank you for the books you gave us!

my condolences for the family of David


Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Alan_b on July 15, 2012, 08:55:14 AM
There was a nice little article remembering David published in the Cambridge Evening News and here http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Tributes-to-snowdrop-expert-David-13072012.htm (http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Cambridge/Tributes-to-snowdrop-expert-David-13072012.htm)
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: steve owen on July 20, 2012, 08:27:37 PM
Just to say that a number of the snowdrop fraternity attended David's funeral and were privileged to take past in a moving service in which snowdrops featured.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Paddy Tobin on August 12, 2012, 12:49:19 AM
Coming late to this sad news. I'm afraid I have been away from the forum for quite a while and missed the news when announced. I enjoyed David's comments and photographs and feel great sorrow for his wife and son.

Paddy
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Natalia on August 12, 2012, 11:33:02 AM
Deepest condolences to the family of David ...
 
He will live for all of us in his book and snowdrops.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: Anthony Darby on August 14, 2012, 10:46:34 AM
That's a lovely tribute in the newspaper to one who died so young.
Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: KentGardener on August 23, 2012, 06:30:48 PM
There was no right moment to meet David this year in GB.
Now it is too late.

We Galanthophile lost Günter Waldorf
and now also David Quinton.
Both, thank you for the books you gave us!

my condolences for the family of David

David's book arrived at my house from his widow today.  I can hear David speaking when I read the front page.

I am really happy to be able to reach for Günter and David's books and picture them in my mind when I turn the pages.   :)

Title: Re: A fine young man, lost to us.
Post by: chasw on August 23, 2012, 10:21:48 PM
My copy has also arrived from Katherine,and how pleased I was to receive it
Title: Remembering Davd Quinton: Memorial Charity Bike Ride
Post by: Maggi Young on June 10, 2013, 10:42:06 PM
Remembering Davd Quinton:  David Quinton Memorial Charity Bike Ride

Friends, we have received this message from Katherine Quinton - please consider giving some support to this venture by David's friends and Katherine's  participation in the "RAce for Life" too, via the donation page of Andrew and Nigel- http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/fundraise/fundraising-pages/david-quintons-life-cycle-ride (http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/fundraise/fundraising-pages/david-quintons-life-cycle-ride)

Katherine's message:



Dear All
 
Sadly it has been nearly a year since David passed away.  To commemorate this, one of David’s best friends, Andrew Butcher and his brother Nigel Butcher are doing a memorial bike ride on Sunday 23rd June to raise funds directly for Oesophageal Cancer Research.
 
The bike ride will be approximately 50 miles in and around the Cambridge area, and will take in places of significance to David’s life, such as his primary and secondary schools, football clubs that he played for, places of residence etc.
 
We would really appreciate your support for this worthy cause, however small.
 
After his initial diagnosis David was always dismayed that funding never really reached the lower profile cancers, so to be able to have the money donated go directly to trials for new drugs and early diagnosis methods for oesophageal cancer would have pleased David.
 
You can sponsor Andy and Nigel via their fund raising page, or if you prefer, I have a paper copy that you can sign if I am likely to see you over the next few weeks:
 
http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/fundraise/fundraising-pages/david-quintons-life-cycle-ride (http://myprojects.cancerresearchuk.org/fundraise/fundraising-pages/david-quintons-life-cycle-ride)
 
Nearer the time of the bike ride we will be publishing the route that the ride will be taking and it is hoped that they will have a tracking facility on them, so that people can check on the web and then pop along to the specific points and cheer them on.
 
Thank you in advance for your kind donations. 
 
Please note that whilst I am certainly not fit enough to do a 50 mile bike ride, I will be doing the race for life with some of my work colleagues in July.  As we have been able to have the funds donated to the bike ride go directly to oesophageal cancer research, I would prefer that Andy and Nigel receive the sponsor money, so I will not be asking for further sponsors for the race for life :-)

Please feel free to pass this email on to others.


Katherine

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