David Watkins 12/11/1948 - 12th June 2012

Originally from Manchester with very established Ruardean
roots he left for Australia in 1967, and inherited the passion
for the Forest from his father Harold.

Sadly Dave passed away earlier this week, but leaves
this Forum as a legacy that we intend to continue.

A limb has fallen from the family tree.
I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me.
Remember the best times, the laughter, the song.
The good life I lived while I was strong.
Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you.
Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through.
My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest.
Remembering all, how I truly was blessed.
Continue traditions, no matter how small.
Go on with your life, don't worry about falls
I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we're together again"


To David's family

May the comfort of God help you during this difficult time.

from
David, Graham, May, Michael and Slowhands
{on behalf of this Forum}

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

So sorry to hear this sad news. He has left a wonderful legacy in this forum which is one of the best. My thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

Anne

I also have had a few dealings with David Watkins and appreciated all that he has done for this Forum. May his family realise what happiness he gave others.

Thank you
Rita James
NZ

God bless you and your family David. Your hard work and dedication to this wonderful site has, and will continue to be, appreciated by generations of grateful people throughout the world.

On behalf of myself and all the friends and ancestors you helped introduced me to
"Thankyou". RIP

Oh no.. so sorry to hear this :(.. such a lovely helpful man..you will be missed around here David, but never ever forgotten xxxx

I am saddened to hear about David. His vision in setting up this site has helped many, many people to trace their Forest roots. My condolences go to his family and friends.

I am Very Sorry to hear this, Sincere Condollences to his Family.

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. David helped me again very recently, it was always a joy to read his messages.
A true gentleman who will be dearly missed. Thank you and God Bless.

I also was saddened to hear this news, and send my condolences to David's family. He will be sadly missed. This site which he set up has been very helpful in tracing my Forest of Dean family.

Many thanks, may you rest in peace.
Esther

That is very sad news. This site is the best genealogy resource on the net as far as I am concerned - how fortunate for those of us who have Forest roots. I have learned more about my Forest beginnings here than I ever did from my family.

So, a huge thank you to David, and his family who must have supported him in his labours.

Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tane (A totara has fallen in the forest of Tane).

This proverb is said when someone of importance passes away. Tane is the Māori god of the forest. A totara (a native tree of New Zealand) is a huge tree that grows for hundreds of years. When one falls, it is a great tragedy. Even though David did not come from NZ, the proverb is appropriate, because he came from a great forest.

So sorry to hear the sad news of David's death. Condolences to his family. He was a great help to so many people including myself. He will be sorely missed but this is a great site and I am sure it will carry on with the help of the many dedicated people involved.

Sheila

Thank you. Thank you David. Your name and the names of your Forest Family will live on in grateful remembrance. Thank you for your dedication to us and all our researching.

Thank you so much David, for all the help you have given. Gone but not forgotten - your legacy lives on in the lives of many. Sleep well. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who love you.

I would like to add my name to all those expressions of sorrow and gratitude
Sylvia Morgan

I would like to echo all the previous comments. This site is simply the best.

It is with great sadness that I have received the news of David's passing,he was a great help to me in my research of my family tree and will be sadly missed by many.On behalf of the Teague family I offer our sincere condolences and hope that this site continues to flourish as a most fitting memorial to his life.
Maurice

I have come very recently to the forum , I didn't realise until mother died just how little I knew about the family , and so haven't dealt directly with David ,but anyone who leaves a legacy like this has the everlasting supposrt of this member of the Bennett and Jordan families
My deepest sympathy to his family and friends

Such sad news. God Bless.

All i can say is god bless

On behalf of all my Brain family past and present a big thank you and I bid a sad farewell .

Such sad news. My thoughts are with his family.

Please extend our deepest sympathy to Davids family,
He will be sorely missed by so many people .
may he rest in peace.

David Watkins gave more pleasure to more people in more places of the world than anyone that I have had contact with.
Thank you David for having lived a wonderful and useful life.

Farewell

Farewell to Thee! But not farewell
To all my fondest thoughts of Thee;
Within my heart they still shall dwell
And they shall cheer and comfort me.

Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live
And men more true Thou wert one;
Nothing is lost that Thou didst give,
Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done.
Anne Bronte
1820-1849

I am so sorry to hear of David's passing. My condolences go to his family and friends.

He helped me on many occassions and as he would say 'Have a good day!',

Paul.

I am also very sorry to hear the sad news, please pass on my condolences to his family and I cannot emphasise enough the contribution he made to the site as his skills and his knowledge, along with his insight were phenomenal.

God Bless and Thank you X

So sorry to hear. This has been such an amazing genealogy website. Condolences to his family and friends. Montana Girl

Condolences to David's family. He will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone who has used this wonderful site he created.

Joss

It's so sad to hear this news. David has left a wonderful legacy for all future generations to use.

Our gratitude and thanks for an outstanding contribution to this excellent site and to all of us. His inspirational presence has been a magical experience for all who
logged onto this site. May he rest securely in gods keeping.

A complete shock to me that this has happened, my sincere condolences to David's loved ones.

God Bless and Thank you for a fantastic site. Sincere Condolances to David's family.

Barbara

Thank you for all you foresight and hard work.

From
<ENG-GLOS-FOREST-DEAN-L@rootsweb.com>

Slowhands -

Thank you for passing to the Forest of Dean list the sad news of the loss of
David. Please pass condolences to his family on behalf of the Forest of
Dean list members. Many will have been in contact with David, and used the
resources gathered together, transcribed, on the www.forest-of-dean.net
website.

Wendy
Forest of Dean List Admin

<><>
How very sad, he was too young!! I remember all the information he has given to
all of us beginners and never complained.

Also, I remember you "slowhands" but its been so long ago that I will have to
apololize that I can't remember your given name.

Thank you for remembering David.
Alice

<><><><>

So sorry to hear this news. My condolences to his family.

June Chan

<><><><><>

Wow, what a great loss this is to hear Dave have now taken the journey home
to be with all the many he and his Dad helped through the years, rest well
Dave and bask in the knowledge that you helped us all for so many years and
know we will all miss you dearly!

I am most grateful to you Dave for your kind support and the passion and
skill you exhibited in running the FOD site for so many years and I am sure
all my forest kin in spirit will be meeting you to welcome you home!

May your path always be illuminated by angels

Jim Patterson
Western Canada

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Hello Slowhands, Never knew your real name. I've found quite a lot about my
grandmothers links to the Forest of Dean site. I too am greatful for the
work David did. Hes the same age as me and it seems to young to go.My
sympathy to his family
Hazel Wiley, Waipukurau, New Zealand

From
gloucester@rootsweb.com

I'm sorry to hear that.
David's website has been invaluable to my research of my father's new
found birth (as against adopted) family and I shall be forever in his debt.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Cathy Edge

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Dang, way way too young!

Eliz with some roots in the Forest as well

Eliz Hanebury

<><> <><> <><>

Such a sad loss. I remember David visiting the Gloucestershire Family
History Society monthly meeting many years ago and speaking up for the
overseas members of the society. His enthusiasm for Gloucestershire and
family history was evident way back then.

His legacy for Forest of Dean researchers is of immense value and we should
all do our best to ensure that it is maintained for posterity.

My condolences to his family.

Liz

_______________________________________________

Elizabeth Jack
Discover Gloucestershire Ancestors:

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>