Brisbane dad Dave Orange remembered after sudden, unexplained death

A young Aussie dad has been remembered as an “amazing family man” after he died suddenly, leaving behind his wife and seven-month-old baby girl.

David Orange, 38, died on Wednesday, August 9 at about 8am, due to an unconfirmed medical event, according to reports.

He leaves behind devastated wife Kerry and their seven-month-old daughter, Eleya.

Dave, affectionately nicknamed “Mango” by his friends and family, grew up in Toowoomba and was a successful club cricketer.

He went to Toowoomba State School and played A-grade cricket for four years, which was how he met his best mate, Mitch Connell, 36.

The young dad was also a successful entrepreneur, having recently sold his business Glow Worm Lighting while running a second business, Orange Electrical.

He and Kerry had been living in the Brisbane suburb of Hendra for five years.

Mr Connell said of his late friend: “We believe Dave was the best of us.”

“He was an aspiring entrepreneur, avid sportsman, great loyal friend, and an amazing family man,” he wrote on a GoFundMe page that has raised more than $75,000 for the grieving family in just a few days.

“He will be sorely missed by many, many people.”

Mr Connell said Dave was a “cheeky larrikin” and “positive and infectious”.

“He was incredibly honourable, trustworthy and loyal,” he said in the touching tribute.

“He was also a great boxer and well known around many Toowoomba and Brisbane boxing clubs.

“He ran a bar in New Farm called Calgety for a bit … he did a bit of everything and was just so much fun to be around.

“Mango was also known for his modern day sense of fashion … he liked to dress well and was somewhat of a fashion icon among his mates.

“He had such an infectious smile. I used to call him ‘shiny teeth’. He was also known for his great sense of humour and positivity.”

Dave and Kerry, 33, had been together for seven years and tied the knot three years ago. After welcoming Eleya just seven months ago, the pair was getting ready to try for a second baby.

“Kerry is just so heartbroken and devastated,” Mr Connell said.

“They were the perfect couple and were incredibly happy.

“They had their entire life ahead of them and were loving being new parents and a little family.

“He was a very doting and loving dad and (Eleya) was such a daddy’s girl … He was very fun and patient with her.

“It’s just not fair and so sad for those two to be left on their own … It feels so cruel.”

Although baby Eleya will never remember meeting her dad, Mr Connell said Dave’s loved ones planned to ensure his legacy lives on.

“All of his best mates and I are planning on creating 52 videos of us talking about and sharing stories about her dad,” he said.

“We want to present these to her on her eighteenth birthday, one to watch every week, so she knows the kind of man her father was.”

Dave’s sister, Madeline Bertram, said his family was heartbroken.

More Coverage

“He is so truly loved by his family and friends,” she said.

“We ask you to keep us in your thoughts and prayers throughout this time. We are completely shattered.

“May you fly high Dave.”

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7y6Kdnqukrrmme9GemKVlnJ6zpnvNnq6sZZyes6Z7waugrJqRo7JusMCdZKudnZq6o7HRnptmmaNirq6t2aKloGWWlrqquNhmpJqmXZaztbHRZqqunJSau26wxJqroWeemsS0edKtpquxX5mvdoGWcJpwb5SXs3KywHBraZlkboJygZVrcG1pZ2aG