Well-known Islander David Crouch, who for over 30 years was the sales manager at local company Wight Building Materials, has died at the age of 56.
David, described by WBM colleagues as ‘an inspiration to all who met him’ passed away peacefully at his Newport home having lived with pancreatic cancer for two years.
Lived and worked his whole life on the Island
One of four children, David was born in St Mary’s Hospital, Newport. He spent his early life in Lake attending Gatten and Lake Primary and then Sandown Middle School, but after moving with his family to Newport he finished his schooling at Carisbrooke High.
His first job was making lampshades in the Readers’ factory in Cowes, but his career really began when he joined Pioneer Aggregates some 34 years ago. He started off as an office clerk before going outside to work as a batcher filling the lorries with ready-mix concrete.
A move to Bardon Vectis
He then went to work at Bardon Vectis, now Wight Building Materials, and rose through the ranks becoming sales manager on the concrete side of the business.
David had a unique approach to management and customer care and, with a trademark smile, would often turn up to sites bearing gifts of ice creams, doughnuts or takeaway chicken.
Burton: A real team player who loved his job
WBM general manager Steve Burton said,
“David had a wonderful style of management and would do whatever was needed to get the task done. He was a real team player who loved his job.
“He was both loved and greatly respected by all of us here and by our customers. He was an inspiration to so many people both inside and outside of work – he was simply one of life’s nice guys.”
Remembered through Golf Day
David, typically, threw all his enthusiasm into Wight Building Materials’ annual charity golf day which will now be named after him.
A talented table tennis player, David also loved cooking and was an enthusiastic barbecue host. Unassuming but outgoing, he loved to socialise, gaining a reputation as the life and soul of any party.
He met wife Karyn at Chicago Rock in Newport and they soon became inseparable, David supporting his wife through her degree in social work.
The pair loved foreign travel and were married on a visit to Sri Lanka in 2004, with a befriended local couple and their children serving as witnesses and bridesmaids, along with a native elephant who was matron of honour!
A kind and generous heart
Such was David’s generosity and determination to do the right thing that, on one trip to Kenya, he bought a new bike for the son of their room attendant and on another visit he purchased a trolley full of Christmas goods for the families of two local lads he had befriended.
Steve added,
“Wherever he was, David enriched the lives of all who met him. His positive attitude inside and outside of work will always be an inspiration to us.”
A celebration of David’s life was held at the IW Crematorium on 2nd July.
News shared by Gavin behalf of Island Roads. Ed
