Tributes from Mandy, Jack, Anita, Ashley and Nicholas

Amanda Librach

I first met David way back in 1986, the year before I married his older brother, Andrew. What a character he was, and how different to his three brothers. Here was a guy who spoke fluent French, was an accomplished patissier and chocolate maker, AND he tuned pianos, and played beautifully. I loved him immediately, he had a great sense of humour, and our conversations were often pretty ribald, as neither of us held back. David had strong views on everything, and we had many debates, often agreeing to disagree. I'm sure I exasperated him many times, but he tolerated me, and we got on well.

David was very honest, sometimes too honest. He said it like it was, with no frills, and bad luck if you didn't like it! I loved that about him, as he was frank and direct, and you always knew where you stood. And he loved my parents, Anita and Jack, and developed a close bond with them, which was a lovely thing for us all.

As the years went by, Andrew and I were divorced, but my connection with David never changed. He made many birthday cakes for the boys' parties when they were young, always delicious, always to his exacting standards. Our sons, Ashley and Nicholas, loved seeing him, and I recall visiting him at his Queen St home in Richmond, and trying to prevent the (quite young) boys from touching the huge bins full of liquored plums, etc., used in his chocolate making.

Then along came Ross, the great love of his life. I had never seen David so happy, and to me, they were the ideal couple, truly a beautiful match.

We were honoured to be at their memorable commitment ceremony, myself and my family, and it was probably the loveliest marriage I ever attended. Even though David had been diagnosed with MND by then, the day was full of love and joy, with the MND very much in the background. To this day, their wedding invitation and photo remain on our fridge, a constant reminder of their great love and happiness.

As the disease progressed, I began to visit Olinda with Ash and Nic, and we always enjoyed the warm hospitality of both David and Ross, in their gorgeous home and garden. We were making memories, and these memories are forever. David fought MND so courageously, with great dignity and strength, right to the end, his ever loving Ross constantly by his side. He called Ross "mon ange", my angel, and he was 100% spot on. Ross is an absolute angel, and I know that David's life was extended considerably by the extraordinary care given by Ross, 24/7, month after month, year after year.

I want to remember the David I always knew, and that David was ever present, even when he could no longer speak, his personality was just as strong. He would give a certain look which always made me laugh, it was the "oh God shutup Mandy!" look, and I'll miss it.

The last time I saw David, very recently before his passing, I followed Ash and Nic in giving him a big, long hug, and telling him that I had always loved him and always would. And that I loved Ross, and he would always be family to me.

Bless you David, I believe you are finally at peace, and with your parents and all loved ones who passed before you. You will always be in my heart, and I will always miss you. I will always be here for Ross, your beloved husband, because I love him too.

Rest in peace David darling, no more suffering, you fought so hard for so long, you have earned your rest.

Love always, Mandy xoxox

 ———-

WE FONDLY REMEMBER OUR DEAR DAVID,MASTER PASTRYCOOK & PIANO TUNER,WHO WOULD DROP IMPROMPTU INTO OUR HOME IN BRIGHTON,WHENEVER HE WAS IN BETWEEN ‘TUNINGS’ OF HIS CLIENTS PIANOS.

HE WOULD SAY ‘I JUST WANT A CUP OF TEA &  WILL ONLY STAY A COUPLE OF MINUTES’,WHICH INVARIABLY STRETCHED OUT TO MANY HOURS.

SOMETIME LATER WE ATTENDED HIS VERY MOVING COMMITMENT CEREMONY TO HIS BELOVED ROSS,& FROM THEN ON,WE ENJOYED HIS HOSPITALITY IN THE GARDEN OF THEIR BEAUTIFUL OLINDA HOME,ALWAYS GOING HOME WITH HOME GROWN PRODUCE.

ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT ATTEND HIS MANY CONCERTS,WE KNOW HOW MUCH HE LOVED HIS MUSIC & HIS PRIDE & LOVE OF HIS GRAND PIANOS.

HIS FRENCH WAS MAGNIFICENT,& HIS BLOGS WERE ALWAYS BILINGUAL.

HIS COURAGE IN ADVERSITY & HIS WILL TO KEEP FIGHTING & LIVE TO THE MAX,WAS EXTRAORDINARY & WE WILL NEVER FORGET HIM.

WE LOVE HIM & WILL MISS HIS UNIQUE PERSONALITY & HE IS NOW FINALLY AT REST WITH NO MORE SUFFERING.

ALL OUR LOVE & FOND MEMORIES OF DAVID,

ANITA & JACK LIBRACH - MANDY’S PARENTS,& ASHLEY & NICHOLAS BLOOM’S GRANDPARENTS

-------------------

Nicholas Bloom

Hey Ross,

I can't possibly understand what you're going through right now, but I'm sure it's an overwhelming range of emotions. I'm also sure you're absolutely inundated with loving and supporting messages, but I wanted to chip in some love to you as well :)

I absolutely love you as family, and even more so, as a family member that I truly respect and care for, find easily relatable and open-minded, and whose company I've always enjoyed. I really appreciate you hosting us so graciously in the past (and I'm already going to thank you in advance for when you host us in the future). Hopefully we can return the favour down the track as well!

I also feel so grateful to have had an opportunity to see you and David together one last time after so much time away overseas. The last day we all shared together was typically lovely and it meant so much to me, particularly the heartfelt final farewell.

From the bottom of my heart, thank-you so much for loving and taking care of my beautiful uncle, especially over the last few years - you're an absolute gem of a human-being.

All my love,

Nic

..................................

Ashley Bloom

In the section marked 'childhood', I've found a few aperçus about uncle David. There were his Richmond home's cloying smoked meats, childhood birthday cakes, instruments receiving the adoration that most folks only reserve for pets, sharp corrections of all those who weren't polite or grammatically savvy, unrestrained laughter, whichever variety of nerdy glasses, support of any and all of my eccentricities, the light-bulb moments around his coming out and mum's braggadocio around being the first to know, the strong sense that this friendly Ross fella was going to be a keeper, and of course, his inimitable blend of serious, silly and empathic.

I began visiting David and Ross's home by myself in my early 20's, where they empathised with my relationship struggles and career disorientation in peaceful surrounds. Their home was a sanctuary that always got me out of my head and its hormonally charged, technology addled thought-streams. It was particularly rare at that point in my life to feel comfortable with emotional vulnerability, and they were among the first people who facilitated that. For that I am very thankful.

Indeed, David and Ross have provided many people with generous hospitality, considerable laughter, and meet even the most unfamiliar topics of discussion with non-judgmental presence and curiosity. One's relationship configuration, material means, politics, religion, age, sexuality and other facets are no matter of consequence - nor for anyone else. If you've been an honest and decent person, you've had friends available in David and Ross.

In October 2012 we sat in Peter's home and heard of David's diagnosis. I was shaken and humbled that night, and it was one of most clear events that has compelled me to appreciate my life more fully. Being sure that we would lose him fairly soon, I wanted to focus more intently on assimilating important lessons that David had to share. So, instead of fleeing worsening disease as some are compelled to, I continued to develop our bonds, and I think we succeeded despite the elephant in the room. I was ill late last year, very emotionally vulnerable, and struggled to visit, so I'm sorry for not being there when things went from bad to even worse.

One of the most magical days I remember, without any need for exogenous influence to be so, was the day of their official union. Mature, true love was celebrated, the weather was perfect, and it remains the only time I've ever seen some long-feuding family members getting along. I remember smiling broadly on numerous occasions at nothing in particular, sober as a judge, so high were the day's vibes.

Last month, I visited David and Ross together for the second last time and spent the whole afternoon and evening together. What I told them was that I saw a moody Buddha who had learned to tolerate and be at peace with unbelievable suffering, and the living saint that was his carer. Despite the finality of physical death, I am comforted that David is free from human suffering, and that Ross's total dedication to his care is relieved.

Thank you, David, for demonstrating the benefit of the craftsman's path, showing me that one can befriend diverse people with integrity, that the raw truth is the immutable essence of things, and that we should remain cheeky if ever our own health should falter and keep us here in suffering.

I love you now, through the remainder of this life, and whatever may follow. May you live on through us and the stories we tell. And may we meet again, somewhere else in the cosmos.

Rest in peace, Dear Uncle. Ashley Bloom