'Dave has left a massive hole in all our lives'

The name Dave Bastow will live on in the memory of sports lovers in the Bay.

Dave was just 63 when he passed away from Covid a few months ago.

He was married to ‘Debs’ for 41 years and they were together for 46.

They have grown-up children Lindsay and Lloyd and four grandchildren – aged from 12 to ten months who Dave ‘absolutely adored.’

Dave worked for Torbay Council/Swisco in the parks and sports department for 30 years and was due to take early retirement last month.

He loved his sports, playing schoolboy football from a young age to Upton Athletic which was then ran by grandfather Ivor Bastow – head of the famous local football family. He was a supporter of Liverpool and Torquay United.

Dave played skittles in both Torquay and Newton Abbot leagues from a young teenager. He played and was captain of The Willows team for almost 20 years, having won many titles including division one champions several years running. He now has a trophy named in his honour.

He was also a keen biker and followed and attended most MotoGP and British Superbike meets in the UK and Europe.

He and Debs both travelled to Italy in 2018 to visit the home of his idol, Valentino Rossi.

In latter years Dave became a huge Exeter Chiefs Rugby fan, attending most of their matches, home and away.  His ashes are scattered on their pitch.

Debs said: “He has left a massive hole in all our family and friends’ lives.”