Family mourn Tasmanian father-of-four and ‘absolute gem of a bloke’ Dave Hoppitt after he was struck down by cancer at just 38

A father of four who died of cancer at the age of 38 is being remembered fondly by family and friends.

Tasmanian man Dave Hoppitt passed away last week after a two-year battle with testicular cancer. He is survived by his wife Alyce and children Indi, Fergus, Dougie and Arabella.

“It’s so hard to comprehend that someone as wonderful as Dave could be taken from us all. We are all heartbroken,” friend Amelia Barber wrote on the GoFundMe page she set up to support his family.

“Dave was such an incredible father, husband, son, uncle, friend and colleague. It’s heartbreaking to think that he will miss so many great times with his family and so many more adventures with his friends.”

Another one Family friend Nicky Paine has set up an online auction to support Alyce Hoppitt, whom she met ten years ago in a mothers’ group.

“Dave was just an absolute gem of a guy, and they literally broke the mold when they created him,” Ms. Paine told the Mercury.

Among those who have offered their services for the online auction on GalaBid is former Australian Test cricket captain Tim Paine, Mrs Paine’s brother-in-law.

Other participants in the more than 60 contributions include restaurants, artists, hotels and furniture makers.

Dave Hoppitt (pictured) is remembered as ‘an incredible father, husband, son, uncle, friend and colleague’

Ms Paine said Mr Hoppitt was an “active father” who was always involved in his children’s sporting events.

“He was well known in the football community and was just very fit and healthy. It’s so sad that these things always seem to happen to the nicest of people,” she said.

Sadly, Mr Hoppitt’s brother Andrew passed away in 2005 at the age of 21 after a skydiving accident.

On March 21, what would have been Andrew’s 40th birthday, Dave wrote a moving tribute on Facebook.

“Very sad to think what your accident has taken from all of us. We try our best to live each day to the fullest,” he said.

“I even tried indoor skydiving this year and you’ll be amused to hear that I was absolutely terrible at it. Love you, bro!”