MORE than 50 years ago a young man came to Crediton to make a new life with his family in a new part of the country.

He used all his experience in canoeing to design and build kayaks that went all over the world including used in a number of Olympics.

David Green died in St Austell Hospice shortly before his 90th birthday.  He had lived in Crediton until last year when he moved to live with his daughter and family in Fowey.

David was born in and grew up in Bedford, his interest in canoeing stemming from when his father bought him a Canadian style canoe and later a canvas two-seater kayak.

He enjoyed long paddles in the holidays, taking camping gear and school friends with him.

An apprenticeship at Vauxhall Motor Company led to qualification as a Design Draughtsman and to becoming a member of the Association for Mechanical Engineers.

Then came a spell as Chief Buyer at Texas Instruments in Bedford, but canoeing was his passion.

At David’s funeral service at the Exeter and Devon Crematorium on October 3, Sue Hopper, Independent Funeral Celebrant, said this was his drive in life.

He was competing at the highest levels of canoeing in the UK and internationally, finding the discipline of long distance canoeing or marathon most appealing, soon becoming a leading light in its development.

He also served on the committee for British Canoeing and the International Canoe Federation and was a National Coach.

David was secretary to the Marathon Committee for more than 15 years and chairman until his 85th birthday, still paddling until he was 86.

He was also at the forefront of seeing Exeter Canoe Club develop.  It was said he inspired young and old, encouraging them to thrive.

“His warmth shone through, gaining respect and admiration through his honesty, sense of fair play and getting the best out of everyone in the sport he loved,” said Sue Hopper.

“One of the nicest people, font of knowledge, patient, calming, a wonderful mentor, coach and friend.  A true ambassador for the sport.”

She said that the club was indebted to David and his wife, Molly, for their loyalty, hard work and cheerful presence.

They had met in the early 1950s at a local model yacht and powerboat club, married in 1955, and had two daughters - Merilyn and Jennifer, the family going with David when he was competing in this country and abroad.

In 1969 he retired from racing and came to Crediton to join the partnership of Tony Snell and his father, Bill, who had launched Kirton Kayaks in 1966 in Mill Street in what is now the ATS garage.

David designed and built kayaks using cutting edge materials and processes. Home sales grew, so did interest from abroad.

David continued to work on the development of craft, saw the company through changes in factories and sales places and today Kirton Kayak boats, paddles and other equipment can be seen at any club or race meeting here or abroad.

David ran the business very successfully for many years and was delighted when his grandsons took over the business,

Although canoeing was such a large part of David’s life, he had broad interests, music being one and he became very involved in Crediton Operatic and Dramatic Society, a talented musician he played the piano and had a fine bass voice.

He also acted and was director on many productions, putting endless energy into each play. He was a Rotarian at Crediton.

David adored his family, was deeply proud of them, touching all with his natural warmth and generous spirit.

Sue Hopper said how David had been described as a “gentleman, always considerate, warm-hearted, generous of spirit, interested in others, all with his natural humour, brilliant smile and a twinkle in his eye.”

She said David’s was “a life well lived”.  Molly had died two years earlier during the covid outbreak, two years that had been hard for David.

At the funeral service for David, a poem written by David was read and another was on the back of the service sheet.  The music was by Verdi, Mascagni, Mozart and Bach.

Any donations in David’s memory went to Cornwall Hospice and may still be made via: www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk/make-a-donation .