David Walker died on 11 February 2023, aged 96. He had lived on Osney Island for over 80 years.

The funeral will take place on Monday 6 March, 2.00 p.m., at South Oxfordshire Crematorium, Garfield, Abingdon, OX13 5PA. It will be followed by a reception at Milletts Farm Centre, Frilford, Nr Abingdon, OX13 5HB.

David moved to Osney with his parents when he was 12 years old. His family owned a garage and four-bedroomed house at 41 West Street — the site of what is now West Court. Here David grew up and married Mary, who lived with her parents at 55 West Street. The couple spent their whole married life living in their South Street home. Mary sadly died in 2018, aged 91. David’s daughter Marilyn and son-in-law Phil were a great support to both David and Mary.

Osney will miss David’s cheerful presence on the island. He was a real gentleman, a good neighbour and always a pleasure to talk to.

Tributes

Robert Lawrence writes: Susan and I became islanders, (almost) oblivious to its delights on arrival in January 1991 and David was one of the first residents we met. Then, as always, David was welcoming, genial, funny and deeply well informed about all aspects of Osney life. If was David who related to us the mystery of the ‘missing’ 41 West Street abode, the house formerly adjacent to ours and the site of what is now the main approach to the West Court flats. I’m pretty certain that he even managed to dig out and give us some notes he had kept on number 41 and the large house that used to be situated where the flats now are. David had a long life well lived for which we as fellow residents can all be grateful.

Brian and Fiona write: He was a great neighbour during our time in Osney Island and was always a great source of knowledge and information.

Richard writes: It’s a real loss to our community. He was such a gent and it’s so sad that he’s no longer around.