David Stenson
OP 1952
31 October 1940 - 11 October 2022

Thank you to Jackie, David's partner, for providing this tribute

David and his twin brother Keith were born on the 31st October 1940 in Waterlooville where his parents had been evacuated from Southsea during the Second World War.   

When the war ended the family moved back to Southsea. David attended Portsmouth Grammar School where he began to show an interest in football and Athletics.  At the age of seven his Father took him to Fratton Park to watch Portsmouth play and he became a lifelong supporter.  Discovering he had a lovely singing voice he became a choir boy at St Jude’s Church.  St Jude’s had a football team which he joined and regularly played in matches. While at school he loved running and competed in middle distances races with many medals to his credit.

On leaving school he started working in the family business which specialised as wholesalers for the sale of toys and fancy goods.  When his parents retired, David took over their business becoming David Stenson Agency travelling around the South of England visiting clients, his friendly nature gaining orders from customers.  He especially enjoyed the Trade Shows which gave him the chance to meet other Reps.  Teletubbies were one of his big sellers.

David achieved much in his lifetime through his love of sport.  He said that Athletics was his preference sport and he was a lifetime member of both Portsmouth and Havant Athletics Clubs.  He later qualified as a Starter at Race Meetings and was a Starter at The Great South Run for many years and at Hampshire Athletic between 1974-2014.  In 2014 he received a Certificate of Appreciation from Special Olympics Great Britain who recognised his invaluable contribution as a regular volunteer starting official for over 20 years and how he had consistently served Special Olympics GB athletes. 

David was one of the founding Members of the Portsmouth Joggers.
    
Golf was another passion of his. He played regularly at Waterlooville Golf Club and was honoured to be Senior Club Captain in 2005.  He later joined Southwick Park Club.  He also supported social events which were held at both Clubs.  

David and Jackie met in the late 1980s and moved to Valiant Gardens in Hilsea.  They had many happy years together enjoying many holidays abroad and in the UK.  Although David enjoyed good health all his life, keeping fit through his love of sport and walks in the countryside, his health unexpectedly declined rapidly in his last few years and he died peacefully on the 11th October this year.

Although in private he was a modest unassuming man, David will be remembered for his friendly outgoing  personality, his loyalty, kindness, good humour and generosity.  He was one of life’s gentlemen and a good sport.