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David Fairbairn |
‘Perfectionist’ David was a friend of the stars
DAVID Fairbairn, who has died aged 57 in a car accident, was a chauffeur for numerous well known actors and musicians at Camden-based car firm Addison Lee. He previously worked for Lotus sports cars, and then as a carpenter and stage show designer for some of the biggest names in pop in the 1980s.
Born in Barbados, he came to Britain aged four. His family moved to Camden, where his mother Agatha trained as a nurse in the Royal Free Hospital. David, the oldest of four brothers – Andre, Shane and Michael – attended Gospel Oak school.
He then went to Acland Burghley, where he showed real talent as an artist. He was a contemporary of the singer Eddy Grant, and David himself was musical – as a young man, he was an accomplished African drum player.
He also played the acoustic guitar in a band and became involved in the diverse scene in Chalk Farm during the late 1960s and 70s.
This included promoting events at the new Dingwalls venue and David became active in the area’s squat movement, where empty properties were taken over and used by artists and musicians as studios and homes.
After leaving school, he trained as a metal worker for Lotus sports cars. He was a skilled workman, and family and friends remember this suited his perfectionist nature.
After leaving Lotus, he worked for Camden Council as a carpenter and became a skilled furniture maker.
This also led on to another job, this time in the music industry: he toured the world with 80s pop groups Ultravox and the Thompson Twins, designing and building stage sets.
He also ran a stall in the Portobello Market.
In the early 1970s, he met and married his wife Jeanette and they had two children together, Lucy and Beau. They lived for a time in Holborn but more recently the family moved to Lawn Road in Belsize Park.
David was employed by Addison Lee three years ago, and became a firm favourite among his colleagues.
He died in the early hours of Thursday 13th August.
He had been driving a passenger to the Romford area of Essex and on his way home lost control of his car in a country lane on a sharp turn.
His vehicle left the road and went into a ditch. David died from his injuries.
His untimely death has highlighted how many friends he had, from all walks of life, and his warmth, his caring nature and his many talents will be remembered by those fortunate enough to have met him.
His funeral is to be held tomorrow (Friday) at 2pm at the Golders Green Crematorium, Hoop Lane.
DAN CARRIER |
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Your comments:
"Gone too soon" I still can't believe that I will never see David's bright and sunny smile. David was one of those "glass half-full" people with an optimistic approach to life. My sincere condolences to his family, he really was a giant amongst men. Rest in peace David.
M. Hinds
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