David Frantzeskou - Varne Ridge, UK. RIP

loneswimmerloneswimmer IrelandCharter Member
edited March 2018 in General Discussion

Some of you knew David Frantzeshou, IMSHOF, of Varne Ridge who passed away last month. David's funeral was yesterday and due the Europe-wide winter storm, many of us who had planned to be there were not able to make it.

David is greatly missed by so many of us.

@Tracy_Clark was particularly close to David & Evelyn in the last year, and she shared some words that she collected from many swimmers who knew and loved David.

David isn't just David or Dave to the Channel swimmers around the world. He has touched the hearts of 100s of us so he has earned the title of Dad...our swim Dad.

We arrive at Varne Ridge a bundle of well hidden nerves. A quiet chat on one of the many park benches, each of which has its own sad and special story. A drink at happy hour in the conservatory for the few not abstaining from alcohol. Whichever way...our swim dad has made it into all of our hearts. Especially the massive Dad bear hug we receive upon making our swim to France and the country flag he has flying to make us feel like an Olympic athlete.

I asked around for words to describe our swim dad
Extremely Generous
Caring
Creative
A good listener
Intelligent
Wise
Gentleman
Lots of charisma (for all the ladies)
Campari his favourite tipple
Guinness which we shared many
Lawnmower came up a lot
Bear hugs
Salted caramel ice cream especially in the latter months.
Laughter
The best humour
Dapper
Mr Grumpy meant in the most loving way
Long lunches and Capel Rock concert
Bloody mad Channel swimmers
Sod off
Bugger off and other words I won't mention
Devastatingly handsome
Witty
Passionate
Driven
Pride. Proud of all of us and incredible love and support.

Very few of us only visited Varne Ridge once...Instead we became the naughty children from Ireland, England, New Zealand, South Africa, every corner of the globe.

One boat pilot said David had got more swimmers across the English Channel than all the pilots put together.

...and lastly....Evelyn... our swim mum. He loved you beyond words and the love and care you have given to our dad especially over the last years, months and those last days is true love.
In his last days I promised him we would all take care of Evelyn...he opened his eyes and said ...promise...I said promise and we all will. We are all here for you mum.

We miss you so much already dad x"_

Thanks Tracy.

Bye Dad.

David Frantzeskou (by Donal Buckley).resized

loneswimmer.com

JustSwimswimfreeordieCathyInCA

Comments

  • What a beautiful tribute.

  • david_barradavid_barra NYCharter Member

    Thanks for posting this Donal.
    David and Evelyn made VR a special place.

    ...anything worth doing is worth overdoing.

  • dpm50dpm50 PA, U.S.Senior Member

    He sounds like a wonderful guy whom I wish I'd met! RIP

    CathyInCA
  • suziedodssuziedods Mem​ber

    I will always love Dave and Evelyn. I never had the chance to stay there but met them both with the lovely Anna Baker at pre CSPF dinner visit. Anna wanted to stop by and say hello to them.
    We walked in to that lovey kitchen and conservatory looking out over the Channel and Anna introduces me.
    ( This was in the day of the "smartgroups list serve" eons ago and I was quite active on it.
    Dave looks at me and says " is this the world famous Suzie Dods?"
    Of course I immediately fell in love :)
    I will also never forget Evelyn's GIANT smile when she won the GIANT bottle of red wine at another CSPF dinner.
    I hope they had a chance to enjoy that bottle in their conservatory.
    He will be missed but not forgotten.

  • Tracy_ClarkTracy_Clark Norwich, United Kingdom (from Auckland, New Zealand)Member

    @suziedods said:
    I will always love Dave and Evelyn. I never had the chance to stay there but met them both with the lovely Anna Baker at pre CSPF dinner visit. Anna wanted to stop by and say hello to them.
    We walked in to that lovey kitchen and conservatory looking out over the Channel and Anna introduces me.
    ( This was in the day of the "smartgroups list serve" eons ago and I was quite active on it.
    Dave looks at me and says " is this the world famous Suzie Dods?"
    Of course I immediately fell in love :)
    I will also never forget Evelyn's GIANT smile when she won the GIANT bottle of red wine at another CSPF dinner.
    I hope they had a chance to enjoy that bottle in their conservatory.
    He will be missed but not forgotten.

    I just saw this thread. Your post made me smile @suziedods. That massive bottle of red was brought back to the CS&PF Awards some years later and demolished by their table when they had a special presentation for being inducted into the IMSHOF. Great memories tx

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