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MG MG Y Type - David Pelham

There is little one can say when you lose a husband, a father, or a best friend, however at this time, our thoughts and condolences and prayers go out to the family of David Pelham following his sudden and tragic passing yesterday, June 29,2013.

David will be forever remembered as having been the enthusiast who always went above and beyond for any one, any time, for any thing. Especially in our circle, he drove the remaking of many unobtainable parts through the East Grinstead Small Works Team. He inspired people to reach for the seemingly impossible and against all odds, restore MGs that frankly even the MG Community had forgotten about largely. He was a man of intense passion for what he believed to be ethically important in life and strove for perfection in everything he did.

To me, he was a friend since my acquisition of Y 5270 in 1990, and stuck by me through some very important times. More recently of course he helped co-found and establish the International MG Y Type Register, always being the MG YT Expert, he selflessly recreated the MG YT Factory Records and proved beyond doubt that the long held numbers of Y versus YT production of 6,158 and 877 were incorrect and that his latest research had re-established this at 6,131 and 904 with pending further upward movement of the number of YTs relative to Ys. He was also the UK International Representative of the IMGYTR, and also stood in for me several times as webmaster. In all of these roles, as in many things, David leaves a legacy to us all and will be sadly missed.

At this time too, our thoughts, and prayers and condolences go out to his family, to Shirley, Kirsty and Carole.

Please feel free to leave your tributes to David on this thread too.

Paul
Paul Barrow



Paul,

Thank you for sharing important information about David in your touching eulogy! Though I never knew him, I have heard only positive and respectful words relating to his character.
even if I am only an aspiring Y owner, I realize David Pelham was considered the consummate expert for these wonderful automobiles. May I add my prayers and condolences to his friends and family.

Respectfully,

Jerry Chandler

Jerry Chandler 1951 TD

Paul,

Just seen this news, lost for words and shocked. Hits home when I think I spoke to him earlier in the week and was due to be at Sommertreff with David next weekend, life can be so unkind!
Thoughts and condolences to David's family at this time!

Richard
R E Knight

I found it hard to accept that David had died, especially so when I was speaking to him on Skype earlier in the week. We used to have almost weekly chats and he was telling me about his forthcoming trip to Germany.

David was a dear friend, a man with a sharp intellect, a perfectionist and above all, a principled individual who would quickly see through posturing and 'spin'.

My heart goes out to Shirley and daughters, Kirsty and Carole.
J D JAMES

This is devastating news. We are in tears here.

To Shirley, Kirsty & Carole, our grief is but a small fraction of what you would be going through, both Debbie's and my heart go out to you. Such a wonderful man.

We feel so honoured that David shared a small part of his life with us, through our joint interest in MG's and some of the special things he did for us. Although our regular contacts only developed after the formation of the IMGYTR, such was your impact on us, you quickly came into our hearts as a friend.

We will miss you terribly David, Rest in Peace

Tony & Debbie Slattery
Brisbane
Australia
A L SLATTERY

I was looking forward to finally meeting David next weekend at the Sommertreff in Germany about which we exchanged some emails.

The Y-community has lost an important member. My condolences to David's family.

Willem van der Veer
Ermelo
The Netherlands
Willem van der Veer

What can I say about David? In 2011, while visiting in London for a wedding, I took the train down to East Grinstead and spent the weekend with David, his family and friends. David showed me all of his MGs, we met with Neil Coomes and toured the Bluebell Railway, visited the local pub and attended the annual Y-Type annual business meeting in Abingdon.
We also spent hours on Geneology dot com and David showed me some tricky ways to navigate the site and get around roadblocks on the search. I found that before emigrating to the U.S. my family had been cabinetmakers in the same parish for hundreds of years!
I will surely miss David who was a wonderful gentleman, host, enthusiast and friend.
My condolences to his family, friends and all in the MG world.
Scott barrow
S.R. Barrow

I was deeply saddened on Friday to hear of David's untimely departure from this world. I used to speak with David at least weekly, and only spoke to him last a couple of days ago, when he was looking forward to the trip to Germany. David was a fountain of all knowledge, a truly super guy and a great friend. I will miss him and his advice a lot, as will many in the greater 'MG World'. The Y type community have lost a very fine ambassador.
My condolences to Shirley and the girls.
Brian Rainbow
Brian Rainbow

Althgough I never knew David personally I concur with all the fine tributes posted. A sad time for his family and friends.
D MULLEN

Jo and I picked up the sad news of David's death on Birmingham International Airport this evening (Monday) having been out of the loop in Prague since last Thursday.

All the comments about David are absolutely spot on. I would add that he had a wry sense of humour and was always a highly principled individual - a trait sadly too often lacking in many in today's society.

He cared very deeply about others and especially Shirley, Kirsty and Carole and our thoughts must be with them.

Sincerely

Jerry
J P BIRKBECK

With a fright this morning I heard the news of the death of our friend David., So close to our summer meetings at which he had been looking forward to.
We mourn with his family to a good friend.
Rest in peace.
Your friends from the summer meeting:
Knight Richard Borchers Karlheinz & Anne Schulz Tom & Karin Noll, Manfred & Uschi, Plass Fritz & Bettina, Hebbel Henry & Marlies, Arnus Ivo, Yeh Ron & Ing, van de Veer William & Liesbeth, Becker Karl & Christa, Moldrup Palle & Rikke, Robert Möller & Dorle
K.H. Borchers

We met David on our regular annual visits to the UK. He was always welcoming, kind, and helpful. Sadly we were staying with friends in Abingdon when we heard the devastating news. Our sincere condolences to David's family and friends. Mel & Davina Fry
M.H. Fry

So sorry to hear of Davids untimely death. My deepest sympathy and very best wishes to his family.
Jane and Paul Thompson
P S Thompson

Like many others, I am finding it very difficult to come to terms with the fact that David is no longer with us. After speaking to David on Thursday last week, I never dreamt that less than 24 hours later, he would not be here. His loss to the IMGYR Community is enormous, but nothing like the devastation to his close friends and family. The David Pelham that many people new was a bit like an iceberg, a very prominent image, but much, much, more behind the scenes that went on to help all those that he came in contact with. His principles were his path and set a good example for us all. He will not be forgotten. Our deepest sympathy to Shirley, Carole and Kirsty.
Rest in peace David.
Keith and Rita Herkes
Keith D Herkes

Would like to add my condolences to David's family. Had the great pleasure of meeting him and Shirley on a visit to England a few years back and enjoyed meeting them very much.
Frank and Christine Russell
F.G. Russell

I pray for his bliss.

I appreciate the passion to his Y-typeRG.
XPAG Masaaki Sakaguchi

As a mark of respect to David and in consideration of his family, and close friends in the IMGYTR around the world, there won't be any updates to the IMGYTR website in the month of July.

I know you will all understand this pause in activity, as the loss of David has hit us all very hard.

He will be missed, we and the world are all poorer for his passing.

Thank You

A L SLATTERY

Thank you Tony for the explanation and for the great picture.

At this time, all our thoughts and energies are focused totally on the Pelhams' loss and their comforting.

Paul
Paul Barrow

I was shocked and very saddened when I went onto the website today and saw the tragic news about David. It's difficult to believe. It seems such a short while ago that David rang me up and introduced himself and the Y register. In the following weeks he was so kind with his advice on my YA, and invited us to drive over and see him so we could talk all things MG. I gather from reading the other tributes that this was typical of this very good man. I am so sad that this meeting will now not be possible. I have been really encouraged and made to feel so welcome by David, and I will always remember his kindness.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Joel Jennings
J Jennings

Yesterday's service was a moving occasion and the Chapel and Hotel were packed. Carole Pelham did so well in reading her eulogy for David - an extremely
difficult task that she did so well. David would have been proud of her.

David was a special person to a number of different groups. friends and especially his family. This was the first time that I had met Shirley, Carole and Kirsty and when I introduced myself there was a warmth and recognition from them all The same as David always had with people.

I am glad that I attended and have to thank Peter Veilvoye for collecting me from Oxford Services.

We will always remember David as a kind, thoughtful and very engaging individual who would willingly put himself out for anyone. Also he was prepared to take up a cause that he felt had some merit and outcome for the greater good.

A fine and loveable man who wont be forgotten. We must also remember and of course be prepared to help Shirley, Carole and Kirsty.

Sincerely

Jerry
J P BIRKBECK

I haven't said anything on the bulletin board before because I find it very difficult to write about David's death. It was such a sudden shock. I can't pretend to have known him well, but I spent a glorious week with him in France last September on the Y Type Britanny Run and know that it was his hard work and devotion that made it all possible and so much fun. That someone with his drive, knowledge and ability can disappear in an instant seems impossible and should make us all make the most of everday and of everybody we care for. Thanks David, everytime I notice that lack of oil on my garage floor I'll remember where that engine oil drip collector came from. This picture sums up my memory of him.
Peter

P S Sharp

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/newsupdates/davidpelham.shtml

Fitting tribute, to great chap who was always willing to help!
R E Knight

Thank you Richard. David Pelham was, without doubt, a great man and certainly dedicated to the MG Y. As you mention Richard, he was always willing to give freely of his time, knowledge and share is accumulation of spare parts to owners in need and was fully committed to the goals of the International MG Y Type Register: his loss is still felt very acutely by all of the board here. The page was constructed after much thought and we are indebted to Robert Gammage for the fine words of tribute that show us all the other David Pelham - the family man. The family also helped in the construction of the page with some lovely photographs and also agreed the page before we released it. There is also a DONATE button on the page linked to the British Heart Foundation where members can make a donation to a charity that was very important to David. Please make use of this and leave a tribute to David if you feel to do so.

David may no longer be with us in body, but we will not forget him, or the vast contribution he made with tireless efforts for MG Y owners.
Paul Barrow

A fitting and moving tribute to a man I shall never forget, as I am sure many others will not, who met him over the years. At the end of this month I shall be wandering arount the Enfield Pageant and Autojumble, but with a heavy heart, as I shall not have David at my side. He and I have and Brian Purves have spent many hours searching for those elusive car parts at this event over the years, but I am not sure that I shall have the same enthusiasm this time. This was the last time we saw each other last year. Why do the good ones go early?
The British Heart Foundation has my donation in David's memory.
Keith
Keith D Herkes

This thread was discussed between 29/06/2013 and 13/05/2014

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