David Joy : RDM West Africa
I have received the news from Sybil Joy, sadly David passed away on 21st September 2025 after a fall in hospital. My sincere condolences go out to Sybil, his family, friends and former colleagues.
David spent much of his career in Africa, firstly with Central African Airways, BUA and then BCal
On the right, David in 1970 when Manager - Nigeria
David spent much of his career in Africa, firstly with Central African Airways, BUA and then BCal
On the right, David in 1970 when Manager - Nigeria
David Remembered
From Sybil Joy
I am sad to tell you that David died on 21st September as the result of a fall. He was in hospital at the time. He had suffered a number of problems, latterly the worst was his loss of sight, so I read the {BCal} Newsletters to him – which he much enjoyed, and he felt kept in touch with his beloved airline world.
David started in the 1950s with CAA, the now defunct Central African Airways, in Salisbury in the then Southern Rhodesia. In the 1960s he got the job with BUA; he wanted to be with an international airline. Six weeks later, “the boss”, Freddie Laker came down on a sales blitz, so it was an early lesson in sales!
After UDI the office closed and he was sent to West Africa, first the Gambia and then to Lagos where he took over Nigeria from BA. Then it was onwards to Botswana where he set up the office. He was given early retirement by BA and the end of a long airline life…with me in tow.
We had been married for 68 years, so I saw it all. He was an airline man through and through, and I an airline wife.
From Joy Inch
Very sad news. I think I may have met David once ‘down the route’ & remember him because of his name. My name is Joy.
From Fee Flee - So very sorry for your very sad loss Fly Free
From Anthea McClelland
RIP David. I have happy memories working with David in Lagos when we took over the route from BA. My condolences.
From Graham Waters - R.I.P.
From David Clark
Very sad news. Although I was in Cargo Sales at the time we had a fair amount of interaction. Very nice guy. My condolences to his family & friends.
From Christine Jegu - What a fantastic career he had!
From Derek Jenkins - RIP David, the sad loss of another of our BCAL family. My condolences.
From Sally Simmonds - So sorry to hear this. RiP, David.
From Roger Warren - RIP David
From Jeff Youtan - So sorry to learn of David's passing. Sincere condolances to all his family and friends.
From Andy Geary Stevens
I was saddened to hear that David has passed away. He was Manager Lagos when I was based in Accra, and we met several times during my time in West Africa. My sincere condolences to his wife and members of the family.
From Kristien Massie - So sad to read about David. I'm sure he visited us in the Kitwe office.
From Elizabeth Lockhart-Mure
I remember the old days in Africa so well. Definitely the best airline times! RIP, David. My sincere condolences to Sybil and family
From Charles Powell
David was a true African expert and served the company very well in managing our sales efforts there. He attracted great respect from the communities we served.
From Alan Reeves - A nice man
From Phil Bowell
In 1980/81, whilst working for David Coltman, he assigned me to work with David. I did not know him well and soon departed for the USA, but while working with him, I found him a professional and affable man who was always keen to respond to questions and assist me wherever he could. I offer my deepest condolences to Sybil and her family. Fly High David
From Richard Heywood - David was one of life’s absolute gentlemen. RIP
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com
Condolences were extended by:
Dave Thaxter, Fee Flee, Blanche Melvin, Riaz Butt, Janet Willis, Janice Belshaw, Seona Craig, Bob Ash, Julie Hourigan, Christine Jegu, Peter Durran, Roger Moore, Alan Saunders, Graham Lambert, Valerie Durling, Nick Ridley, Vanessa Holland, Julie Nuttall, Victor Attwood, Joy Inch, Stephen Tavener, Paul Marshall, Terry de la Haye, Sandra Currie, Sue Jackson-Page, Robert White, Daphne Hemmings, Jackie Hebert Hayes, Tricia Riley, Sylvia Murphy, Brenda Painter, John Bailey, Linda Trettin, John Nicholas, Graham Waters, Brian Russell, Denise Stevens, Freddie Gorman, Walter Riggans, Jacqui Byrne, Dudley Rice, Michael Phillips, Dorothy Flower,
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From Sybil Joy
I am sad to tell you that David died on 21st September as the result of a fall. He was in hospital at the time. He had suffered a number of problems, latterly the worst was his loss of sight, so I read the {BCal} Newsletters to him – which he much enjoyed, and he felt kept in touch with his beloved airline world.
David started in the 1950s with CAA, the now defunct Central African Airways, in Salisbury in the then Southern Rhodesia. In the 1960s he got the job with BUA; he wanted to be with an international airline. Six weeks later, “the boss”, Freddie Laker came down on a sales blitz, so it was an early lesson in sales!
After UDI the office closed and he was sent to West Africa, first the Gambia and then to Lagos where he took over Nigeria from BA. Then it was onwards to Botswana where he set up the office. He was given early retirement by BA and the end of a long airline life…with me in tow.
We had been married for 68 years, so I saw it all. He was an airline man through and through, and I an airline wife.
From Joy Inch
Very sad news. I think I may have met David once ‘down the route’ & remember him because of his name. My name is Joy.
From Fee Flee - So very sorry for your very sad loss Fly Free
From Anthea McClelland
RIP David. I have happy memories working with David in Lagos when we took over the route from BA. My condolences.
From Graham Waters - R.I.P.
From David Clark
Very sad news. Although I was in Cargo Sales at the time we had a fair amount of interaction. Very nice guy. My condolences to his family & friends.
From Christine Jegu - What a fantastic career he had!
From Derek Jenkins - RIP David, the sad loss of another of our BCAL family. My condolences.
From Sally Simmonds - So sorry to hear this. RiP, David.
From Roger Warren - RIP David
From Jeff Youtan - So sorry to learn of David's passing. Sincere condolances to all his family and friends.
From Andy Geary Stevens
I was saddened to hear that David has passed away. He was Manager Lagos when I was based in Accra, and we met several times during my time in West Africa. My sincere condolences to his wife and members of the family.
From Kristien Massie - So sad to read about David. I'm sure he visited us in the Kitwe office.
From Elizabeth Lockhart-Mure
I remember the old days in Africa so well. Definitely the best airline times! RIP, David. My sincere condolences to Sybil and family
From Charles Powell
David was a true African expert and served the company very well in managing our sales efforts there. He attracted great respect from the communities we served.
From Alan Reeves - A nice man
From Phil Bowell
In 1980/81, whilst working for David Coltman, he assigned me to work with David. I did not know him well and soon departed for the USA, but while working with him, I found him a professional and affable man who was always keen to respond to questions and assist me wherever he could. I offer my deepest condolences to Sybil and her family. Fly High David
From Richard Heywood - David was one of life’s absolute gentlemen. RIP
If you would like to leave a message in remembrance please drop me a line anytime at BCalatribute@outlook.com
Condolences were extended by:
Dave Thaxter, Fee Flee, Blanche Melvin, Riaz Butt, Janet Willis, Janice Belshaw, Seona Craig, Bob Ash, Julie Hourigan, Christine Jegu, Peter Durran, Roger Moore, Alan Saunders, Graham Lambert, Valerie Durling, Nick Ridley, Vanessa Holland, Julie Nuttall, Victor Attwood, Joy Inch, Stephen Tavener, Paul Marshall, Terry de la Haye, Sandra Currie, Sue Jackson-Page, Robert White, Daphne Hemmings, Jackie Hebert Hayes, Tricia Riley, Sylvia Murphy, Brenda Painter, John Bailey, Linda Trettin, John Nicholas, Graham Waters, Brian Russell, Denise Stevens, Freddie Gorman, Walter Riggans, Jacqui Byrne, Dudley Rice, Michael Phillips, Dorothy Flower,
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Service Information
To be added when known, inline with family wishes
To be added when known, inline with family wishes
