My friend David Adiseshan died eight weeks ago. His death has impacted me deeply, and I wanted to share some thoughts on his life with people in the industry. Our lives had intertwined for two decades and his loss for both the industry, and myself, is great.
I first met David in his fancy Governor Philip Tower office around 1998. He was the young rookie sole sales guy for MFS; I was the young rookie sole sales guy of Investor Weekly. His youth, intelligence, charm, and confidence struck me.
He was born 13 days after me, on 14 February 1968. We always contacted each other for our birthdays. We became and remained friends, having many one-on-one coffees and dinners over the years.
He was a serial entrepreneur – he had many senior roles in funds management and business development; and multiple attempts on his own ideas.
David is one of the few people in my 20-year career in the financial industry – primarily media and conferences – who would often ring, for no reason, wanting nothing other than to say, ‘hey, I’ve got an idea for you’, or a lead, or ‘well done on x or y’. He was generous in his nature and approach.
We always lived close to each other, him mostly on Victoria Street, Potts Point, and me in Elizabeth Bay. This changed mid last year when he rang me and asked about my building. A few months later, he had sold his terrace and he and Liz had moved in as our neighbours.
They moved into an apartment on the same floor, two apartments away, last December.
We had been promising coffee or dinner for about two years. Both our lives have been ‘too busy’. The last time I spoke to Dave was in our car park, about three months ago. His car spot was next to mine. He was sorting files in boxes. It was obvious he wasn’t up for a chat. I left for overseas the next day.
Two Fridays later, he was gone. I learned this some days after his funeral. If only the time he has been occupying my mind these past weeks was spent with him while he was alive.
Please, make time for those close to you in this life. Have dinner. Have coffee. You never know when it all can change.
If this distresses you, contact Lifeline 13 11 14
