Dale first became unwell following Cable congress in 2013. After the heart breaking news that he had cancer, he did what only Dale could do, which is face into it and fight it with every part of his larger than life character.

I recall sitting with Dale in his garden not long after he received, what to many would be a completely crushing diagnosis. Of course, he was so typically Dale, joking about how he was on some super healthy diet, no sugar, no red meat, no alcohol, the “good stuff” as he described it with his beaming smile.

At that time we talked about how he was preparing himself for the fight of his life, but also taking the time to live every day like it was his last.
There was a time when he told me that his consultant was pretty sure they had the upper hand and that it was under control and all but gone. I recall the sense of relief. I cannot begin to imagine the wave of hope that would have consumed Dale’s wife Tina and his boys.

Dale worked in Cable for some 18 years and knew so many people. Whenever I went anywhere on business, I would usually get asked within a few minutes of referring to Virgin Media if I knew Dale; even before I knew Dale well. This was the first sign of how special he was. When I started working closely with him I was amazed by his boundless energy and enthusiasm. Our time together without exception was full of exciting technology projects and of course laughter. He was immensely knowledgeable and considered by many (myself included) to have the best job in the business.

What became abundantly clear with time of course was that it wasn’t the job, it was Dale. With his outlook and attitude he would have made any job look the best in the world. Dale would lift any event simply by being there. His intelligence, wit and charm would flow effortlessly and he simply had a natural gift for engaging people, getting them motivated and making them laugh.

One particularly memorable period I spent with Dale was in the production of the Dan and Dale shows. I didn’t really want to do it, but of course with his enthusiasm he talked me into it because he knew that many people around the business would enjoy it. I am so glad he talked me into it. He worked so hard over the few days we were at the studio to complete those shows and I have to say we didn’t stop laughing the whole time. Who would have thought he could turn something about cable technologies into something that appealed to so many. Those are special memories that I will treasure forever.

One of the stories I heard recently that made me smile was from Michelle, who once asked Dale for three examples of what makes a great leader, he came back with:
1. Great hair
2. A bitchin car
3. Lots of lycra
So Dale!

For Dale, nothing in life was insurmountable, there simply were no boundaries. Some people in life give off an aura of positivity and happiness that is infectious and that in every way was Dale.
I am not an emotional person and don’t think I could be accused of carrying my heart on my sleeve, but I have no shame in telling you that I cried on Sunday night and this morning writing this in a way that I haven’t for a very, very long time. The sense of injustice and loss ranges me from anger to a sense of numbness. I cannot begin to fathom how Tina, Sam Jake and Fin must feel and only hope that with time they will draw strength from the memories they have of this beautiful man.

As I reflect on such a heart wrenching loss and the sadness that so many of us feel, I remind myself that Dale wouldn’t want us to feel that way for too long. He would be touched by the sense of loss amongst those that knew and loved him, but ultimately he would want us to celebrate his life with the energy and warmth with which he so vividly lived his. I am sure that many of you will join me in doing just that.

I have no doubt that Tina and the boys will draw some comfort from knowing just how much of an impression he left on so many of us.

Goodbye my friend, I will treasure the gift of the memories that you leave me with forever.

Dan