Members of Parade’s final year class of 1990 are expected to be amongst the many mourners attending a requiem mass for the Old Paradian Dr. David Griffiths, at Ballarat’s St Patrick’s Cathedral this Friday afternoon.

David, aged 44, died suddenly of a heart attack last Friday. He leaves behind his beloved wife Katrina and adored children Felicity, Abel and Neve.

David graduated with a chiropractic degree from RMIT University in 1997 and practiced in Melbourne for two years before moving to Western Australia. There he practiced for a further three years until 2002 when he relocated to Ballarat with his wife.

Shortly after arriving in Ballarat, David established Catalyst Chiropractic and followed his special interests in wellness-based chiropractic care and proactive lifestyle activities – on top of his pursuits in permaculture, meditation and triathlon.

David truly cared for those with whom he came in contact, as a correspondent for Catalyst noted in a recent online posting.

“David finds it rewarding when he is able to build a connection with his clients, understand what they want to achieve and help them towards that goal. What gives him the greatest satisfaction is getting his patients where they want to be and inspiring them to move past their previous conditions”.

David’s untimely passing has truly been felt by those who knew him at his Barkly Street practice, and has deeply shocked old schoolmates who called him a friend in the days when he was a member of the College Council on the Bundoora campus.

Parade’s Captain of 1990 Justin Kerr described David as “the complete package”.

“Dave was smart, funny, tall and handsome. He was a boy who would go out of his way to help others, whether it was with homework or just with life,” Justin said.

“Dave was a great member of the school council in year 12. He always knew how to lighten the mood with his wit.

“All of us OPs from VCE 1990 have so many great memories, Dave. You deserved to make so many more.

“Gone to soon ‘Griff’. May you rest in peace.”

Another old classmate, the current Parade College Assistant Principal Mark Aiello, said that David’s legacy would endure in the hearts and minds of the many contemporaries who so admired him.

“From his school days at Parade, David will be remembered as a gentle soul and a very much loved Paradian. He was smart, intelligent, hardworking and well respected by his peers and teachers,” Mark said.

“David was one of the good guys who was always prepared to help others. His passing brings much sadness to the Class of 1990 and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children and extended family.”