Everything about him was 'special'

By [enewtonsyms]

THE family of a former electrician who settled in Grimsby "purely by chance" have paid tribute to him – saying everything about him was "special".

David Smyth, 66, of Grantham Avenue, Scartho, died from an asbestos-related industrial disease.

His wife Jennifer said Mr Smyth grew up in a Glasgow orphanage before travelling south to look for work.

He settled in Grimsby after missing his train and getting a job in the area through a friend he met at the Yarborough Vault.

Originally an electrical contractor, Mr Smyth went to work for Findus for 30 years, where he started out as a shop worker and eventually became a shift manager.

David met his future wife while he was staying at the YMCA and the pair later married at St Stephen's Church.

The couple began their married life together in Clee Village, before moving to Frederick Street, Grimsby, and eventually settling in Grantham Avenue.

Together they had two daughters Alison, 36, and Emma, 33 and enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren Poppy, 14, Olivia, nine, and Finlay, seven.

Mrs Smyth said: "Everything was special about David.

"He used to say you should get out and about while you could, and enjoyed socialising over a pint with friends.

"He was quite a happy person, and used to really cheer me up in the mornings.

"I miss seeing him being in his chair in the living room, doing his crossword or sudoku puzzles.

"He was a strong person and had a good sense of humour."

Another of the couple's greatest loves was to go rambling together with their friends.

An inquest into his death on October 9, held recently at Cleethorpes Town Hall, heard he had spent much of his working life being exposed to asbestos.

Recording a verdict of death due to industrial disease, coroner Dr Paul Kelly said: "Mr Smyth died as a result of industrial disease. His pulmonary fibrosis is a result of exposure to asbestos."

Mrs Smyth said the family – who are in the process of taking legal action in relation to Mr Smyth's death – were pleased with the outcome of the hearing.

She said: "I was pleased the inquest found the verdict it did because it means he didn't die in vain."

She added that the family hoped the ruling would draw greater attention to the illness and encourage more to be done to help those suffering from asbestos related diseases and their families.

Mrs Smyth said: "There is no one out there helping people who have asbestos related illnesses – and yet I have heard the number of those people who have the infections are expected to peak in 2016."

Pay tribute to David Smyth at our Lasting Tribute website