TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved York teacher who has died aged 44, just weeks after the birth of his son.

Dave Gibson had worked at All Saints RC School in South Bank since 2006.

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He died after a short illness on July 7, the day after his 44th birthday, surrounded by his friends and family and just six weeks after the birth of his son, George, with his partner, Katie Low.

"Dave was the best partner I could have ever asked for; he was my biggest supporter and best friend. He faced everything with a sense of humour, compassion and an innate ability to just make everything better; I think that this is something felt not only by myself, but his many friends and family," said Katie.

"Dave had the kindest heart and made a difference to every single person who had the privilege of knowing him. I’m so grateful for our gorgeous son, George, who looks just like his daddy.  I have so many special memories of our time together which I will hold onto forever and I look forward to sharing these with George when he is older. Life will never be the same without Dave, but we will do our best to make him proud and remember him in everything that we do.

Dave Gibson and his partner Katie Low (Image: Supplied)

Katie said Dave was an amazing dad to his three children, Emmie, 12, Harry, 10 and five-month old George.

"He was an incredibly proud dad and one of the best there was, although his dad jokes were questionable at times! Dave’s love of sports continued through his older children, Harry and Emmie, both who play several different sports and Dave loved nothing more than standing on the sidelines of a football or rugby pitch watching them both. He hoped that George would maybe follow in his footsteps on the basketball court," said Katie.

Dave started working at All Saints as a cover supervisor before training to be a PE teacher and going on to become head of PE.

"Dave inspired so many young people during his time at All Saints and he loved going on the many school trips to Bewerley Park, Osmotherley and the bi-annual ski trips, which he organised," said Katie, who also teaches at All Saints.

"His favourite day of the school year was always sports day and Dave loved to see all of the students coming together to cheer each other on and attempt to break school records."

Dave was born in Malton and grew up in Pickering with older brother, Joe, and older sister, Rebecca. He went to Thornton Le Dale Primary School and Lady Lumley’s Secondary School.

Dave with his older sister, Rebecca, and older brother, Joe (Image: Supplied)

Dave was always very sporty and it was at Lady Lumley’s that Dave picked up a love of basketball.

He was scouted by the head coach at the University of Ripon and York St John and was given an unconditional place at The University of Ripon and York St John to play basketball and study sports studies.

Dave’s sister, Rebecca Munro, said: "Dave was incredibly kind and caring, he had the softest heart and always knew the right thing to say.

"His loss at a time when he had everything to live for has been incredibly hard for us to bare, but we have taken solace in the difference he has made to so many lives, and that he lives on in his three incredible children."

Dave’s PE team at All Saints said: "Dave was a fabulous colleague and most importantly friend; you always knew that he had your back and would support you. He was and always will be our inspiration. We will continue to win gracefully, lose with integrity, encourage others, be kind, check in on others and root for the underdog. We will do all of this because we learnt from the best; we learnt from Dave."

Jo Sandwell, deputy head said: "Dave is a huge loss to our school community and we will miss him very much, but we will endeavour to keep his spirit alive at All Saints. The number of messages we have received from past pupils since his passing is truly staggering and shows what a real difference Dave made to the students he taught over the years."

Dave with his colleagues and friends on one of the many school ski trips that he organised (Image: Supplied)

Katie said that Dave had three different stays in York Hospital during his short illness.

"I can’t thank the hospital staff enough for everything that they did for him and how well he was looked after, particularly during his time in the Coronary Care Unit and two stays in Intensive Care. There are a couple of staff in particular, Dr Hester Baverstock and Glenn Hawthorne, who not only did an unbelievable job of looking after Dave, but supported me through an incredibly difficult time, and they have continued to do so in the weeks since Dave passed.

"The care and compassion that they showed for Dave was above and beyond what we could have expected and knowing that Dave was in their safe hands, made it that little bit easier for me at home looking after our newborn son."

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