The family of David Lilienfeld, who was killed by a shark in Kogel Bay last week, are at peace with the way he died. On Wednesday, a funeral service was held for David, 20, and his ashes are to be scattered at three of his favourite surfing spots.
Speaking at his funeral at the Big Bay Surf Lifesaving Club on Wednesday, younger brother Gustav Lilienfeld, 18, paid a heartfelt tribute.
He told those present that he believed his brother’s death was a fitting end, being at sea where he spent most of his time.
“I never imagined this day would have come so soon. Even when we were little we used to watch DVDs of professional bodyboarders and the ocean was his place of comfort.
“Even if there was one minute of terror, I could not have imagined a more beautiful way for Dave to go,” said a tearful Gustav.
He added that his brother was always “careful” when on the road in comparison to in the water where he found more solace.
“Dave would feel safer in a hurricane than on the roads where he would be more cautious,” he said.
He said David had been cremated and his ashes would be scattered at three of his favourite locations – Glen Beach, Llandudno and Kaaimans, a place where they regularly spent holidays at the family beach house.
He was fondly remembered as “Warrior” by his close friend, Simon Heale, 28, who said David ’s surfing skills were “amazing” and he hoped to carry on his legacy. He said he would miss his “big smile” and it would be impossible to forget the person he was.
Long-time friend Chris van der Westhuyzen, 21, said he would miss their shared love of “old school” music. He repeated that David lived for the outdoors, spending most of his time diving, fishing or catching waves. Struggling to fight back the tears, he shared the sentiment of the bodyboarder’s brother, that the way he died was “beautiful”.
“I’m not angry about what happened. Most bodyboarders spend maybe only 15 percent in the ocean, but that was David’s favourite element, more than the earth. It was kind of beautiful, just nature taking its course.”
Father Dr Dirk Lilienfeld paid the final tribute by thanking everybody for their immeasurable support.
At the side of the room, a table was transformed into a memorial, filled with photographs, his Western Province tie for bodyboarding and a Springbok jacket he received as an SA junior champ in 2009 and representing the country at the World Games in the Canary Islands in November last year.
Those present watched tearfully as a projector showed slides of David’s travels and time spent in the ocean.
- Cape Argus/IOL
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