Family's tribute to Felixstowe councillor David Underwood

“He always used to say, I might have lost my sight, but I haven’t lost my vision,” said David’s wife of almost 20 years, Wendy Underwood. 

Although David had only lived in Felixstowe for a few short years when he died in August, he had made it his mission to give as much to the community as he possibly could. 

David was born in Cambridge on November 24, 1947, the eldest of three boys born to Joyce and Dick Underwood.  

The early years of his life were spent in the village of Over, near Swavesey. When David was eight, the family moved to Godmanchester to help with running the family farm. 

David’s father kept sheep and cows, and the boys grew up surrounded by animals. They always had fresh food, going out each morning to milk the cows and to collect eggs. 

David's wife, Wendy, said that he always had an adventurous spirit. Image: Wendy Underwood (Image: Wendy Underwood)David Underwood had limited eyesight since he was young. Image: Wendy Underwood (Image: Wendy Underwood)

Faith was a constant in David’s life, right from childhood. He attended St Mary’s Church in Godmanchester, which is where his spiritual journey began. David joined the Sunday School and acted as a server for the vicar. 

David’s love of the church led to him being dubbed ‘the bishop’, an affectionate nickname which stuck with him throughout his teenage years at school in Huntingdon.  

David suffered from poor eyesight for all of his life. As a child, he could sometimes get into trouble for being clumsy, said Wendy. However, David never let this hold him back. 

“He certainly liked adventure. He never let his eyesight stop him doing anything,” said Wendy. As a teenager, David cycled to Land’s End in Cornwall with friends.  

After leaving school, he travelled to Greece to visit Mount Athos, which has one of the oldest monastic communities in the world.  

There, David had a taste of life as a monk, following their daily rituals and spending time praying. 

Wendy said that she and David went on many wonderful holidays together. Image: Wendy Underwood (Image: Wendy Underwood)Wendy said that David loved to host get-togethers for friends and family. Image: Wendy Underwood (Image: Wendy Underwood)After leaving home at 18, David studied theology at King’s College London with the intention of entering the church. 

David served as a curate in Witham, Essex, before deciding to train as a teacher in 1973. He became headteacher of Great Heath Primary School in Mildenhall in 1982, a post he held for nine years. He also continued to preach during this time. 

David spent the next few years as a full-time vicar, first at St Mary’s Church in Withersfield, Haverhill, the St John’s Church in Bury St Edmunds in 1994, and finally St George’s Church in Bury St Edmunds. He also became an honorary canon for St Edmundsbury Cathedral. 

In 1999, David became the Director of Education for the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, combining his two great passions, teaching and the church.  

Travelling to Ipswich each day for this role was how David came to meet Wendy in 2004. The couple tied the knot in 2005 and later moved to Godmanchester. 

David threw himself into community life, serving as the town’s mayor. He also worked to turn around the struggling NHS service, Disability Huntingdonshire.

He worked hard to raise funds, even completing a ‘blind man with a bus pass’ challenge, which saw him travel from Godmanchester to Manchester. 

David served as mayor of Godmanchester, the town in which he had grown up. Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)David's wife, Wendy, said that he 'changed her life'. Image: Wendy Underwood (Image: Wendy Underwood)

David and Wendy relocated to Felixstowe just before the pandemic hit to be closer to Wendy’s family. David had a loving relationship with Wendy’s grandchildren, who called him Nonno, a nod to David’s love of cooking Italian food. 

David became a governor of Langer Primary Academy and would often visit to hear children’s concerns and listen to them read, something Wendy continues to do in his memory.  

David became a Felixstowe Town Councillor in May this year. He had, said mayor of Felixstowe Cllr Seamus Bennett, “campaigned harder than anyone I know”, and gained much respect for his passion for serving his community.  

“He was an inspiration for people with sight loss,” said Wendy.  “He was full of life, always willing to help anybody.  

“He was a wonderful man. He changed my life.” 

David Underwood died on August 17 following a short illness, aged 75.