Hundreds of tributes have been paid to a beloved Scots dad who raised thousands for charity and was described as 'pillar of the community' in Leith, Edinburgh.
Lifelong Hibs fan, Dave Caplin, 72, sadly passed away after a battle with cancer on Sunday, October 9. As well as his charitable endevours Davie was known for running Jeneil's jewellery shop in the area with his wife Val, reports Edinburgh Live.
His family say they are 'absolutely devastated' but are deeply moved at the touching memories Leith locals have shared.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, daughter Jenna said: "My parents opened the shop in November 1985 at the old Kirkgate. My dad named the shop after me and my brother Neil which was really nice.
"A lot of people would come into the shop and ask for Mr Jeneil, and we'd be like its actually Davie Caplan Jeneil is our names put together.
"To raise money for charity he would fix jewellery or do anything, it didn't cost him much but he spent ages doing it and could easily take money but he said no just put it in the charity box.
"The till would be empty and the charity box was brimming full. The Cat and Dog Home came to us earlier in the year with flowers and said out of all the local businesses Jeneil's has raised the most money out of all the local businesses which is amazing if you think of the size of the shop.
"He raised thousands for them, and he could have had all that extra money but he wanted it to go to charity because he just wanted everyone else to be okay."
She added: "All that mattered to him was making sure that his family was okay and just the simple things in life like going up to the community centre every single day for his lunch and visiting all of his customers there."
Daughter Jenna continued: "The girls in here are like family because they have worked for my dad for so long so they took it hard too. He wasn't even a loud person just so kind, gentle and loving to everybody.
"He would help so many people with their bills who didn’t understand them and sit down and work through it."
"My mum and dad had me working in the shop since I was ten, I went to Leith Academy and after school on Fridays and Saturdays I worked in the shop.
"I was in changing the batteries, helping out and just learning the trade with my dad."
Davie was a lifelong Hibs fan and went to Easter Road most weekends on his own to enjoy the football.
Jenna said: "He was up at Hibs every Saturday that was his happy place, he'd just go up on his own. Even when he was really ill in the hospital near the end we got the Hibs game on the iPad and he was trying to watch it, it was a comfort to him."
But his main pride and joy was the family jewellery shop that has been in Leith for 37 years serving the Edinburgh community.
She explained: "Customers would come from all over - Australia, Ireland and America. They have never had to do any type of advertising it was all from word of mouth.
"We are still really busy today, we have had to reduce the hours my dad didn’t want to but my mum told him he had too, they are both in their seventies.
"My dad was working in the shop up until he had cancer, because the shop is a family thing and a social thing it kept us all going. My mum needs something now to get up for and keep her going."
Davie spent his time between his family, football team, the shop and Leith community.
Jenna said: "My mum and dad opened the shop together, they were literally best friends and together all the time both in work and out of work. just the two of them People always say that's quite unusual but they were the best of friends.
"He absolutely doted on his grandkids, he would absolutely spoil them and adored them. He would buy them a wee teddy bear or present from wherever they went. My mum would say they don't need anything but he always had to get them something."
Over 1000 gutted members of the Leith community shared treasured memories with the jolly jewellery shop owner.
Donna who has worked in the store for thirty years said: "Davie was never my boss he was just such a nice person, he would ask you to do a job and end up doing it himself. He would thank us everyday for our work - a boss doesn’t do that.
"He was a really lovely man and he was really popular and hilarious.
"He could be tactless, he would do anything for anyone. Someone would come in with their passport form he'd sign it, if people were stuck with bills he would help out, he would do all sorts. He had a big heart and was my pal."
Scott Lockhart said: "I had the pleasure of being the postie for the shop for a number of years. Davie was an absolute gentleman. Very sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family."
Deborah Jenkinson said: "I’m so sorry to hear this sad news, you dad was a lovely gentleman and was always willing to help, even with the trickiest tasks, my condolences to all your family."
Linda Nichol added: "So sorry to hear this. Your dad will be greatly missed. A huge part of Leith."
Patricia Mellon added: "Another Sad day for Leith. It was ways a pleasure to speak to Davie when we were in the shop. RIP Davie thank you to your Service to Leith, it's time to rest now.
"My sincerest sympathies thoughts and prayers are with your family at this sad time."
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