I worked with Dave and Julie at Camp Sequoia way back in 1995 and I remember a group of us visiting his family home to celebrate his birthday at some point. From memory I think he signed my shirt "How did you get a Counselor's shirt, you limey ****?" at the end of the summer (in an affectionate way of course!)

I think Dave and Julie had got together the previous summer, and they were probably the first couple of "my age" where I can remember thinking that they were clearly made for each other. It radiated from them both even then.

We kept in touch off and on over the years (decades!) and I was absolutely delighted for them both when their family grew not just once, but twice - who doesn't love it when good things happen to good people?

I met up with Dave, Julie and Nia in London in Novermber 2015 to go and see his brother Nick's fantastic band Mutoid Man at the Camden Underworld (and felt like a fool when I asked Dave if I would have maybe met Nick at his birthday party...."Maybe - but he would have been about 3 years old!"

Dave and Julie took it in turns to babysit Nia back at their hotel and watch the band and I remember how proud Dave was of his little brother - staring up at him raging away on stage with that huge, unforgettable Cageao smile on his face. After the gig I took them both for a kebab at Woody's over the road from the venue and then I took this amazing photograph of them both before we all went our separate ways.

I was in touch with both Dave and Julie at the beginning of the year, and I was - and am - beyond devastated to hear that we had lost him. Even as the young man I first met 26 years ago, he was a genuinely lovely (and loveable) person who always seemed to inspire happiness in those around him, and I always held him in great regard and affection.

My love and deepest sympathies to Julie, Nia, Vinnie, Nick and everyone else who loved him as I did.

RIP to my friend Dave Cageao
From the limey ****
xxxx