David Leathers
11 December 1942 – 17 January 2022

David and Amanda Leathers supported the creation of Grange Park Opera in 1998 and have been loyal and generous contributors every year . . . even when there weren’t any operas (2020)  . . . and when they couldn’t come along in 2021.

David’s funeral on 21 February 2022 was splendid . . . but very sad.

David always had a smile and Sarah Groombridge leading the service, began with this:

“There were certain things David did not like: square bars of soap, typos, white flowers in the garden, dogs in London, inefficiency, Japan, camping and going for a walk.”

From The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer:

There was a knight, a most distinguished man
Who from the day on which he first began
To ride abroad had followed chivalry,
Truth, honor, greatness of heart and courtesy.

He had done nobly in his Sovereign’s war
And ridden into battle, no man more,
As well in Christian as in heathen places,
And ever honored for his noble graces …

He was of sovereign value in all eyes.
And though so much distinguished, he was wise
And in his bearing modest as a maid
He never yet a boorish thing had said
In all his life to any, come what might;
He was a true, a perfect gentle-knight.