David George Friis - Heartfelt Funerals

Obituary
Condolences

David George Friis passed away in his Caboolture home on Sunday, the 7th July, 2019. David was the adored husband of Wendy and a much loved dad to Jake, Caitlin, Lauren and Jessica.

He was the beloved son of James and Lynette Friis of Iredale and brother to Jim Friis and Lena Creighton.

He was a very popular High School Principal who created wonderful work environments for students, parents, staff and wider community in schools throughout Queensland. His colleagues talk about his generous heart, compassionate nature and inspirational leadership. David will be sorely missed by his students and parents who spoke highly of Sir’s kindness.

Dave was much loved by his large circle of friends who recall, with fondness, his wicked sense of humour, generous spirit, love of public speaking (even when he went too long), fishing, particularly in his favourite spot – the Proserpine river and his special role in the Sea Dogs, which is a group of people he loved with his whole heart. Above all, he had an all-consuming love for his family.

We salute you, Sir, Friisy, the Big Man, Dave and we will never forget your words, “No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care”

Family, friends and the wider community are respectfully invited to attend a Celebration of David’s life. The funeral service will be held on Friday the 12th of July, commencing at 1pm at the school hall of Tullawong State Primary School. 60-94 Smiths Road, Caboolture.

Condolences(35)

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Bree Tallon says
July 9, 2019 at 10:02 am

Thank-you the constant love and support.
You have helped the community, mostly the youth – by your encouraging words, kind smile and big hugs. You made education fun, you made education easy, you made education achievable for those who didn’t believe it was, for those who didn’t have the support, until they met you.

The big man friis, you will be missed dearly, there won’t be another like you. ❤️❤️
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Kellie Ivey says
July 9, 2019 at 10:16 am

My love & thoughts are with Wendy & family during this very sad time. What an inspiration he was to so many people. I will certainly not forget all the care & support he gave me over the years. You will be missed very much David. He certainly lived up to the quote ~ No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. Because he cared very much. Xxoo
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  Roslyn bell says
  July 9, 2019 at 11:46 pm
  
  My condolences to Mr Friis family friends and everyone else who knew you expecially the students of Tullawong State High
  Thank you for being such a caring man and helping me with keeping my daughter on track at school so she could finish yr 12 to go to graduation and get her yr 12 certificate his famous words to my daughter Teleah Bell (WE GOT YOU THERE YOY MADE IT !!!) Also thank u for understanding about my son Heath Bell at meeting due to him struggling to keep up with his school work and attendance at school
  Great caring man gone too soon
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  Roslyn says
  July 9, 2019 at 11:58 pm
  
  You were a caring man David and had nothing but your students interest in your heart
  Condolences to your family and friends 💙
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Teleah Bell says
July 9, 2019 at 10:19 am

You were a good man David. You were the best principle we had in a long time. You understood all of us more then anyone else.
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Sade Barritt says
July 9, 2019 at 10:30 am

the loss is immeasurable but so is the love that you left behind. mr friis, your gentle soul and kind heart touched so many lives, especially mine. you recognised our differences and instead of letting them divide us, you made sure it brought us all together. you inspired so many people and left our school community better then you found it. we may not remember everything you said, but we will forever remember how you made us all feel. thank you for all the lessons and all the laughs. being under your leadership was one of the most rewarding opportunities I have ever been given. I now know that heaven is a beautiful place, because it’s got you. deepest condolences to his family ❤️
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Joanne Tallon says
July 9, 2019 at 10:37 am

Rest In Peace. You will be missed by many.
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Norelle & Trevor Waldron says
July 9, 2019 at 10:39 am

Remembering that great smile and contagious laugh. May the love that is so obvious in your family surround you all and give you the strength needed in this sad time. Condolences to you all. xoxo
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  Melanie Brand says
  July 9, 2019 at 11:15 am
  
  You touched so many hearts, Inspired so many minds and made so many laugh.
  It was a short time I had the privilege to get to know you but i will never forget how you were down to earth, approachable, genuinely caring, considerate and one of the funniest people with a cracking sense of humour.
  I will salute you with a drink from my Harden up!!!! Cup of cement school mug. Heartbreakingly sad. Much love x
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Christine Jennings & Jared Harding says
July 9, 2019 at 10:50 am

Dear Wendy, Jake, Lauren, Caitlin and Jessica
So sorry to hear of David’s passing. Please accept our heartfelt sympathies. We hope you feel the love around you at this time x
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  Dee says
  July 11, 2019 at 8:54 pm
  
  Exceptional principal. One of a kind.
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Bridget fisher says
July 9, 2019 at 11:09 am

Its so hard to believe a great principle like him is gone, we will miss you, we enjoyed every moment the students and i had with a great principal like you hope you REST IN PEICE.
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  Darrin Timms says
  July 12, 2019 at 8:21 am
  
  Thanks Friisy for starting me out on my teaching career as my fist science HOD way back at Aspley. I’ll never forget your speech at my wedding of “who wears the pants in the family”. It cracks me up every time I tell anyone…and apart from the marriage itself was one of my wedding highlights. You were a great bloke and great educator that will be missed by many. Condolences Wendy and kids from Timmsy and family.
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Robyn Lachmund. says
July 9, 2019 at 11:12 am

Please accept our sincere condolences. Our last meeting at the Chaplains Dinner was so brief and plans were made to meet again another time. So saddened with the news of David’s passing. Robyn &Peter Lachmund and family.
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Sam Newman says
July 9, 2019 at 11:13 am

Thanks for being such a good bloke. Rest in peace.
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Naomi West says
July 9, 2019 at 12:16 pm

Thank you for making every student feel like they mattered. You always made a difference. David you made Dbay High a better school when you were there. Now you are off making amazing changes elsewhere. Condolences to your beautiful family.
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Tali says
July 9, 2019 at 12:22 pm

Sadly a great man has had to move on but I’d love to thank him for everything he had done for DBay High. That school was thriving when you were principal. thank you for all your support and love you would give everyone. Rest In Peace
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Hailey White says
July 9, 2019 at 12:29 pm

One day at a time one less person mr friis should have never died for his life was not over mr friis Rest In Peace we all shall never forget your great personality and your kind heart and trying to make our school a better place, please don’t forget jess friis your dad will always be there.

Yours Sincerely Hailey White

One of your students at Tullawong high.

SORING TO GREAT HIGHTS

We all know that you are soring to greater hights than us now R.I.P now mr. Friis
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Matt McKinnon says
July 9, 2019 at 12:53 pm

Friisy, a great man’s man. Hard to think that the first time we met you were in your early thirties and I in my teens. Breaking up biffs on the footy oval and helping us all at Banyo to become better people. That laugh of yours, the giggles that sounded like mutley come purging back in my memories of you. RIP old friend, know that you touched so many lives in the position for which you are known. Many children young and old have come to know what a true gentlemen and scholar is as a result of YOUR teachings. May your family seek solace in knowing just how much you were respected and appreciated by all with whom you helped. Miss those young days friisy!!!! And lastly, I remember one special piece of advice you gave. Whilst all sitting around the oval about to play our last game of footy in year 12, you said ” look around you, see who is here with you, because this could very well be the last time you will all ever be in this group together, knowing each other together like this, because you will come to learn life moves on without you”. You were right, and over the years I have lost some of those friends and have come to realize, just how those small meaningless things in life become some of your greatest memories. You were a strong influence in my life and I am sure others. I say farewell and see you again one day friisy.
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  James Friis says
  January 28, 2021 at 6:17 am
  
  Thanks Matt he was a great man and loved his sport
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James says
July 9, 2019 at 2:38 pm

such a pleasant man. condolences to his children and partner
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Christina Anderson says
July 9, 2019 at 10:57 pm

My dear cousin. Words can’t even describe the pain our family is feeling right now. We take solace in the fact that you lived your life well and have left us with so many amazing memories. All of my wonderful childhood memories feature you, Jim, Lena and your parents Lyn and James and I’m so incredibly grateful for that. Playing cowboys and indians on the mountain (Lena and I always had to be the Indians in a tree while you and Jim built yourselves the most incredible hideout and had all the great gear), water balloon fights (on motorbikes of course – nothing was ever run of the mill or boring with you haha…) and all the very many other shenanigans we used to get up to. We were always in so much trouble, but oh, it was so much fun. You most certainly left your mark on this world in a big way and leave behind wonderful memories for anyone who’s life you touched. You’ve earned your wings now my cousin. Please say hi to Nan and Papa in heaven for us. With great love and respect dear David, we all miss you so much already.
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Deb Duane says
July 9, 2019 at 11:21 pm

David you were an inspiration not only to students but to everyone that knew you. South District will certainly miss your wit, humour and guidance that you gave us all for South District Sport. You will be missed by so many people. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, work colleagues and school community.
Rest in Peace David
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Ross Hughes says
July 10, 2019 at 5:19 am

It is with a heavy heart and deep shock that I write my memories of David Friis in Proserpine – a larger-than-life character. My first impressions when I met David was his beaming outgoing personality. You knew of his immediate sincerity and dedication to his family and school life. You were always welcomed into his presence with the right hand of fellowship and we definitely shared that fellowship on many occasions. He was a fellow colleague in education. He supported our children for a number of years at Proserpine State High School in the early 2000s and will always remember the personal interest he took to encourage all students do their best. To dear Wendy and Family, on behalf of Lyndal, Naomi, David, Rohan and our families, we extend our deepest and sincere condolences to your family at this sad time. We extend our continued prayers to you all. Thinking of you and God Bless.
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Lorrie Jones says
July 10, 2019 at 9:05 pm

David will be missed by all who knew him. He was and inspirational leader and encouraged staff and students alike to go the extra mile. I loved being aon the staff at DBay while he was at the helmet. He was kind, encouraging and always fair. My condolences to Wendy and the family. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. A great loss.
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Jeni Borellini says
July 11, 2019 at 11:29 am

To Wendy and family,
Neil and myself are deeply saddened of the news of our friends passing. We enjoyed some great times with your family. David left his mark on Proserpine as a kind and loving person.
Jeni and Neil Borellini.
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Ray and Lynne Friis says
July 11, 2019 at 5:26 pm

We were saddened to hear of David’s passing. Our deepest sympathies to family and friends. Unfortunately due to ill health we are unable to attend David’s funeral but our heartfelt thoughts and prayers will be there.
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Val Lane says
July 11, 2019 at 8:49 pm

Dear Wendy, Jake, Lauren, Caitlin and Jessica
I’m so saddened to hear of David’s/your dad’s sudden passing. There are no words to express the shock and deep sorrow to know that such a good man is gone from us all too soon.
I’ve been reading all the lovely things that past students and colleagues have been writing about him and I can echo all of their comments. David made a difference in their lives. He had a big heart, he was well intentioned and he lived life to the full. He will be missed by everyone that’s for sure. I will miss him.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and in my prayers.
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David Cooper says
July 12, 2019 at 9:32 am

Wendy and Family
Susan and I were saddened to hear of the passing of David. We have fond memories of your time in Proserpine. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kind regards, David Cooper
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Suzann Alexander says
July 12, 2019 at 10:16 am

So sorry, Wendy and family. David was such a great person and will be sadly missed. So enjoyed his time at Proserpine high.
Suzann & Malcolm Alexander
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Peter Friis says
July 12, 2019 at 12:13 pm

Very sad to hear of David’s passing. Thinking of you all our thoughts and prayers are with you. Far too soon for the young fella to leave us then as they say only the good go early. Sorry we cant be there distance is a curse in the far North
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  Jim says
  January 20, 2020 at 1:29 pm
  
  Thanks Peter. I will let Mum and Dad know, regards Jimmy
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Gina Probyn says
July 12, 2019 at 7:11 pm

Dear Wendy and family, Jas and I are so sorry to hear of David’s passing. We often reflect on our time in Dysart and you and Dave made it so much better. He’ll be really missed. Wishing you love and support at this really sad time xx
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Jim friis says
January 20, 2020 at 12:55 pm

David I miss every day and I will always be thinking of you regards Your brother Jim Friis
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Super Sub says
June 11, 2020 at 12:52 pm

David will never be forgotten for his love and dedication to family, friends, students and colleagues. He brought could turn a rock to a diamond, dark into light and sadness into laughter. No-one cares how much you know until they know how much you care. His legacy are his three amazing children who will continue his philosophy.