"Dave was the best of us": Friends raise over $79,000 for young dad's family
David (Dave) Orange, 38, has been remembered as an "amazing family man" after he died suddenly, leaving behind his wife Kerry and their seven-month-old daughter, Eleya.
The father, affectionately nicknamed “Mango” by his friends and family, passed away at around 8am on Wednesday, August 9, due to natural causes.
Dave grew up in Toowoomba and played A-grade cricket for four years.
In 2007-2008 he played for University Cricket Club in Toowoomba and led his team to a premiership win with a record-breaking 199 innings, the highest score ever by a university player.
Later on in his career, the young dad became a successful entrepreneur, after selling his business Glow Worm Lighting and running a second business, Orange Electrical.
His best mate, Mitch Connell, who he met at school, paid tribute to him and started a GoFundMe page to help the grieving family, successfully raising $79,000.
"We believe Dave was the best of us,” Mitch said about his late friend.
“He was an aspiring entrepreneur, avid sportsman, great loyal friend, and an amazing family man,” he added and said that Dave was a “cheeky larrikin” who was “positive and infectious”.
“He was incredibly honourable, trustworthy and loyal,” he said in the touching tribute.
“He was also a great boxer and well known around many Toowoomba and Brisbane boxing clubs.He ran a bar in New Farm called Calgety for a bit … he did a bit of everything and was just so much fun to be around.
“Mango was also known for his modern day sense of fashion … he liked to dress well and was somewhat of a fashion icon among his mates.
“He had such an infectious smile. I used to call him ‘shiny teeth’. He was also known for his great sense of humour and positivity.”
Dave and Kerry had been together for seven years and tied the knot just three years ago. The couple were also reportedly getting ready to try for another baby.
“Kerry is just so heartbroken and devastated,” Mitch said.
“They were the perfect couple and were incredibly happy.
“They had their entire life ahead of them and were loving being new parents and a little family. He was a very doting and loving dad and (Eleya) was such a daddy’s girl … He was very fun and patient with her.
“It’s just not fair and so sad for those two to be left on their own … It feels so cruel.”
Although Dave's seven-month-old daughter won't be able to remember him, his friends are doing everything they can to make sure his legacy lives on.
“All of his best mates and I are planning on creating 52 videos of us talking about and sharing stories about her dad,” Mitch said.
“We want to present these to her on her eighteenth birthday, one to watch every week, so she knows the kind of man her father was.”
Dave's sister, Madeline Bertram, revealed that the family is heartbroken and that he was loved by all.
“We ask you to keep us in your thoughts and prayers throughout this time. We are completely shattered," she said.
“May you fly high Dave.”
Images: Facebook