Mesothelioma is a terminal form of cancer of the lining of the lung associated with asbestos exposure, often decades previously.
Bruce’s daughters, Fiona Dawson and Debbie Sheehan, have called on anyone who worked with him to come forward to help them establish how he was exposed to asbestos.
They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who worked at H J Cash & Co Ltd in Denmark Hill – a now dissolved firm he worked at for two years from 1963.
Debbie, 53, said: “When dad started feeling unwell nothing prepared us for what was going to happen. When we were told he had cancer and it was terminal, it was a huge shock. Dad had never smoked and was otherwise healthy.
“Following his diagnosis our focus was on helping and supporting Dad as much as possible so our family could try and enjoy what time we had left together.
“Dad was a lovely, kind and generous man. He was honest and hard-working and we all looked up to him for help and guidance, even as adults. Dad went from being an outgoing and independent person for his age to someone who was reliant on others.”
Bruce’s family described him as a kind and generous man (Image: Irwin Mitchell) Bruce grew up in Lincolnshire and left school aged 14 to train as an electrician.
He worked at various companies, often at airfields, and told his son grandson that during his work he used to mix asbestos into a paste and would often have to break panels he suspected may have contained asbestos to get to wiring.
Debbie said: “Before his diagnosis we’d not even heard of mesothelioma, but sadly we now know just how awful it is.
“Our family will never be the same following Dad’s death, but the time is right to at least honour his memory by establishing how he was exposed to asbestos.
“If any of his ex-workmates could come forward with information it would mean so much to us.”
Fiona and Debbie have instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness.
Lawyer Natalia Rushworth-White said: “Bruce’s death is another reminder of the terrible legacy asbestos has created and how it continues to tear families apart years after exposure has taken place.
“Fiona, Debbie and the rest of their family remain devastated by Bruce’s death which has been made harder by having so many unanswered questions.
“While nothing can make up for their loss, we’re determined to at least help his loved ones secure the answers they deserve.
“If anyone could come forward with information about the conditions Bruce faced during his career it could prove vital to our investigations and in providing his family with some form of closure.”
