David Smith (26 Nov 1933 - 20 Jun 2023)

In loving memory of David Smith who sadly passed away on 20th June 2023. Who was a Dad, Grandad and a Great Grandad. Was born on the 26th November 1933 to Florence Nester (maiden name Cooke) and Jonathan Smith, who lived in Blackley near Manchester, then followed sisters Lona and Jean. He enjoyed cycling and entered racers in Lancashire and North Wales, oftern cycling to and from the races or getting public transport. He be came the junior cycle champion of Lancashire. Also had a love of photography and developed his own pictures. His parents divorced before he got called up for National Service in the RAF as a driver/mechanic, for 5yrs. Sending his wages back to his mum to help surport his sisters. When he came out went to help his Dad on a farm in the Isle of Man, then went to work for Martin Bakers/ Ronaldsway Aircraft Company as a machinical engineer working on ejector seats, where he met Joan Mary Williams who worked as a secretary. They Married on 26th March 1959 and 1year later Carol Anne was born 4th January and then Michael Anthony was born 18th March 1962. Left the Isle of Man 1966/67 to live in Portslade, West Sussex, to be near his job. On 7th July 1971 Joanne Lesley was born and a few years later they decided to move back to the Isle of Man to be near Joan's Mum. In his spare time continued to cycle and his love of photography grew and also Joan's, where ever they went they had there cameras as well, he also liked t develop his own prints in a darkroom he set up at home. David and Joan joined a photography club where they won a few competitions. In 1989 they moved to Nottingham to be near Michael as they were about to be Grandparents for the first time. On the 13th January 1990 Emma Louise was born, David continued to work until he retired and set up his garage as a workshop for his woodwork he started to enjoy. Along came more Grandchildren Katy, Amy, Ellan, Laura and Paul. On the 10th June 2019 Joan passed away, where David had looked after her. A year later he became a Great Grandad as Cillian and Dainton were born and then in 2022 Orrin was born.