THE family of a much-loved granddad who died of a brain tumour has paid tribute to his life with a memorial.

Harry High, from Barrow, sadly died aged 67 in September 2007 after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour and terminal cancer.

Mr High trained as a draughtsman at Vickers and then attended teacher training college where he spent most of his working career as a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering in the Middle East and Africa.

As a young man he played rugby and was a keen runner with a local club and after retirement he and his wife of 43 years Kath, lived on Walney.

His daughter Claire described him as a 'real joker' who never lost his sense of humour.

She said: "He was a real joker and even when he was very poorly before he died he never lost his sense of humour.

"Dad was a proud grandfather to his son Richard’s five grandchildren. And was never happier than when spending time with his grandkids."

Mrs High added: “Harry was really active and fit his whole life until his diagnosis and, in fact, was decorating our daughter’s house when he started to feel a little unwell with bad headaches and dizziness.

"He shrugged it off as ‘being a bit tired’ until he collapsed in the supermarket and was taken to A&E, where shockingly a scan revealed he had a brain tumour and terminal cancer."

Mr High was then admitted to the inpatient unit at St Mary’s for end of life, palliative care.

“Right from the start he was made to feel so welcome, with all the staff going the extra mile to make sure the last few weeks of his life were as comfortable and dignified as possible," Mrs High said.

"He had a lovely room overlooking Hoad and enjoyed the beautiful view and watching the birds visit the garden.

“We have nothing but positive memories of this very sad time – all of the nursing staff were so wonderful and caring with Harry; keeping him pain free, sitting with him at night when he couldn’t sleep and giving him a shave to keep him looking his best which meant to so much to a man of his generation who always liked to look smart.

"Harry and I literally viewed the nurses as ministering angels and I cannot express the gratitude I feel to this day for the care he received.

"As a family we were made to feel so welcome at the hospice, spending as much time with Harry as we could in those final weeks, and we were with him when he passed away in late September just before his 68th birthday.

"After his death the hospice continued to support me with bereavement counselling, a wonderful service which is available for anyone who’s lost a loved one. St Mary’s Hospice will always have a very special place in my heart for everything they did for Harry and me.”

Last October would have been Mr High's 80th birthday and the family wanted to mark the special milestone.

Mrs High said: “We chose to get a memory leaf in his name at St Mary’s Hospice. We wanted to find a way to remember my husband Harry and also to repay St Mary’s a little for everything they had done for him.

"It has been such a tough year for all charities with the impact of the pandemic and we know first-hand what an essential service the hospice provides for local families, so were keen to support them in any way we could.

"We are eternally grateful for the exceptional care which St Mary’s gave to our lovely Harry at the end of his life and would urge local people to support the hospice in any way they can in these difficult times – whether through a memory leaf in tribute to your loved one, by doing the lottery or organising your own fundraising event.

"You never know when, as a family, you might need the care and support of the hospice and we want to try and ensure it is there to help others in our community in the future.”