David Brooks 1933 - 2012

My Father, David Brooks born 26th March 1933 at 3 Burgess Cottages, Pannal Ash, Harrogate died this year on the 1st January 2012.  My father was a real Gentleman and everyone who knew him, speaks of him fondly and of his gentle charming manner and his particular sayings.

He was married to my Mother Bernice Henderson born 6th Oct 1936 for 40 years until her untimely death in 1996.  He had worked as a Solicitors Clerk for 32 years and then a Taxi Proprietor until he retired.

My father was never really a well man, and could be very stubborn but even though he would not help himself as much as he could, we all loved him and he will be greatly missed i feel already a huge part of my life has now gone.  My regrets were not being able to help him as much as i wanted to and spend as much time with him as i wanted but non the less we did see other once a week and spoke on the phone daily.

My father had to retire at the age of 59 because of an operation that had gone wrong leaving him in pain.

In 2001 he had a small heart attack followed by 2 Deep Veined Thrombosis going into his Lungs, he had other small operations since that time a drawback of getting old and as each year went on he became frailer and older.

May 2010 he had 2 small strokes and he was never to be the same again, in 2011 we could see him getting worse and worse and slowly going down hill, he was having lots of mini strokes and i believe each one was damaging more and more of his brain.  By November 2011 suffering with vascular dementia he was admitted to Harrogate District Hospital, Jervaulx Ward and would remain there for 7 weeks.  On Friday the 23rd December he had contracted Pneumonia, he was able to have his last Christmas Day Dinner with us at his side, although he did think at one time i was his Dad [at least he thought i was someone important].  On Boxing day he had another stroke.  I was going into the hospital to feed him and make sure he had enough to drink at dinner time and tea time but by Wednesday 28th December his health deteriorated, i stayed the night holding his hand and hoping he would get some comfort.

The next day Thursday 29th December we had to decide to stop all his treatment and just let him drift off, i was told by the Doctor he would not live the night, my sister arrived at the Hospital and we in a quiet private room stayed with him so he would not be alone.

The Doctors did not realise how strong willed or stubborn my father actually was he held on for another 2 nights finally taking his last few breaths at 6:55 am on the 1st January 2012 i was at his side the whole time.

I can not thank the staff on Jervaulx ward enough for the care they gave to my father those last few days, and to the support and kindness they showed to me, enabling me to stay at my fathers side for his last 4 days.  I was comforted by everyone keeping me stocked up with food and drink, and just that hand on my shoulder and small hug, meant so much to me i also found it comforting when the staff at the end of their shifts made that extra effort to come and say goodbye.

Nigel Brooks
31st Jan 2012