Fond farewell for Sea Cadet David Price
It was a fitting tribute for a man who gave his life to the Sea Cadets.
John Price, who died on February 7 aged 79 after suffering a stroke, gave more than 60 years of his time, energy and attention to the Sea Cadets and was given an emotional send-off at his funeral this week in return.
Uniformed members of the cadets both young and old gathered at Bushbury Crematorium on Tuesday to mark his death and celebrate his life, with more than 100 people turning up for the service.
Flags were raised and tears were shed after a service which his younger brother Brian, 77, said David 'would have been proud of'.
The two brothers grew up in Wednesbury together and attended Kings Hill school, but Brian said it was not until they were older that they became close.
Brian said: "My brother didn't have a family of his own, he had no wife and children but he told me that the Sea Cadets were his family.
"He really did dedicate his life to that cause and I am proud of him for that.
"We didn't speak much after our childhood, we grew apart and lived separate lives, as lots of brothers do.
"But as we got older we would confide in each other, he would call me every weekend and check in on me, we got on very well.
"I am so glad that happened because I got to become closer with my brother than I ever had been before he died.
"The service on Tuesday was beautiful and I know he would have been proud to have seen so many Sea Cadets there, it was quite a shock to me.
"He used to say that he didn't have many friends but he clearly did."
David served 65 years as a volunteer instructor both in the Army Cadets and Sea Cadets.
He was a commanding officer of Walsall Sea Cadets for a number of years.
Up to a week before he died he was still actively helping out at sessions near to where he lived in Ettingshall.
A Just Giving page was set up to help raise £800 towards the cost of the funeral, which eventually raised £945.
Tributes from those who knew David poured in on the website, thanking him for his work.
One contributor, Angelo Grubisic, wrote: "I owe him everyting for the person I am.
"He will be missed."
