Sportsman and conveyancer widely loved across Falmouth remembered as an 'inspiration'

"An inspiration" is how a man widely loved across Falmouth has been described following his death at the age of 73.

David Toseland, known widely as 'Tosey', died on Monday (August 3) following a period of illness.

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While many of the tributes have centred around his sporting prowess locally – where he has been declared an "all time great" in both cricket and football, at Mawnan FC – away from the pitch he is equally well known as a dedicated family man and respected conveyancer of more than four decades.

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David was born in Falmouth in December 1952, on his parents' first wedding anniversary, and aside from a brief 18-month spell living in Oxfordshire when he was 18 months old, the town was his home for life.

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He attended Beacon Primary, followed by the Church of England school and finally Falmouth Secondary Modern.

Sport was always a huge part of David and was interwoven into his family life – not least being responsible for his career and marriage.

It was through Falmouth Cricket Club that he knew the late Nick Barrington, who gave an 18-year-old David his first – and only – job, as a conveyancer at Hine, Stonehouse and Barrington, which would later go on to become Hine Downing.

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David worked for 46 years at the firm, where he was known for his straightforward, reassuring approach and good humour, retiring in 2017.

David on his retirement from Hine Downing in 2017 (Image: Packet archive)

His son James recalled how people would return time and again for David's services, saying: "If anybody in Falmouth was moving, dad was the person to call.

"He brought a lot of business to the firm with how he knew people through sport and around the town."

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This was echoed by Hine Downing partner John Lowry at the time of David's retirement, when he said: "David is in many ways unique.

"His good humour, hard work and loyalty to this firm have been exceptional and he will be sorely missed."

It was through Falmouth Cricket Club that David also met his wife, Sue, who was back home in Falmouth during her first-year summer break from Exeter University.

She had been persuaded by her brother, who was playing cricket with David, to go and serve the teas in the clubhouse.

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Both – to borrow a cricketing term – were bowled over, and were married for 48 years.

David Toseland and his wife Sue on their 40th wedding anniversary in 2018 (Image: Family picture)

While David and Sue had just the one son, James, he was also very close to his nieces Anya and Cara – daughters of his sister Helen and her husband Stephen Gough.

He was even more delighted when he became a grandfather to Archie and Reece, following James's wedding to wife Gabby in 2015, which was another proud day for David.

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James said of his father: "I was just always really proud in terms of what he stood for – in local sport, but also as part of the family. He was one of my best friends.

"He was an inspiration in how to carry yourself as a person."

David with his son James and grandsons Archie and Reece, when one end of Falmouth Cricket Club's ground was named the 'The David Toseland End' (Image: Supplied)

James followed his father to Falmouth Cricket Club, where he is club secretary, and also plays for the midweek Falmouth Nighthawks.

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A funeral service for David will take place on Monday, August 24 at 11 am, at All Saint's Church in Falmouth, followed by a wake at Falmouth Cricket Club.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made for the Sunrise Centre and Headland Unit, through the retiring collection or via Kingsley Tresidder Funeral Service.

The family has said that black clothing is not compulsory, with those attending encouraged to wear what is comfortable.

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