AS we reach the end of 2020, it’s a poignant moment to reflect on the grief and devastation experienced by so many over the past year.
The heartbreaking reality of the coronavirus pandemic has been felt in every corner of the Bradford district, with many lives taken too soon by Covid-19. Today marks the first of a two-part special edition to pay tribute to those who have died, with the second part running tomorrow.
The Telegraph & Argus hopes these special editions will provide a comforting place for people to remember their loved ones lost to Covid-19 in a lasting tribute. Read the second collection of the tributes here.
Here are some of the people the district has sadly lost to coronavirus.
There was great sadness at the death of respected community figure Nawab Ali, who died in October. Mr Ali, 61, from the West Bowling area of Bradford, had been in a coma for three weeks at Bradford Royal Infirmary before his death.
His nephew, Abdul Nasir, 40, described him as a “pillar of the community” and “an example for all of us”.
He said: “He helped everyone. He had a kind heart, he helped other people, he always had a smile. He didn’t have a bad bone in his body. I’ve never in my life met anyone like him.”
“Father figure” Mohammed Latif Bhatti, from Great Horton, died aged 90.
He came to the city from Pakistan in the late 1960s/early 1970s and opened ‘Bhatti Travel’ on Legrams Lane in the late 1980s.
His grandson Sameer, 32, said: “Everybody said he was that father figure, nobody was treated differently. He had the same love for everybody. He did everything from the heart – that was him – he did everything with love from the heart. A lot of people are broken because he was that figure.”
The family of Norma Brooks, 83, who was from the Harrogate Road area of Bradford, paid tribute. They said she would be back in the arms of her late husband Ronnie, who she had been married to for more than 60 years.
“Love and miss you every day,” said the family.
The family of Kenneth Carter, 71, from Eccleshill, said he had been “taken from us by this cruel disease too early”.
They said: “We miss you every day, it still does not feel real, we keep expecting you to ring us to ask us to take you shopping.”
Paying tribute to the dad, grandad, husband, brother and friend, they said:
“Christmas will be a struggle this year but we will do our best to have fun, as you would have wanted and we will start next year as we mean to go on and make you very proud.”
Gerrard Day, from Eccleshill, passed away at the of 69, and his family were able to hold his hand in his final moments.
Mr Day worked as an electrician at Pitts Wilson for much of his life, starting at the age of 15 and retiring in 2013. It was a job which took him all over and his wife, Gloria, described him as a “dedicated electrician” who loved his work.
She said: “Lots of love Gerry you are my love and life. Paul, Julie Garry, Hannah and Henry send you all our love.”
The family said they would miss his “smiling face” and thanked St Patrick’s Mission and the Intensive Care Unit where he received treatment.
There was great sadness at the death of Alan Drake, 83, a lifelong Bradford City fan and a founding member of the East Bierley Bantams Supporters Club.
He is still “sorely missed” by family and friends.
In a tribute, his family said: “One of the nicest guys you’d ever have the pleasure to meet, a true gentleman, a bit of a joker with the desire to be everyone’s friend. The world needed more people like Alan and not one less.”
John ‘Tony’ Evans died in May at the age of 94 and his family described him as a “happy and hard-working family man”. He ran a successful greengrocers shop in Bolton Road, becoming the national and Bradford President of the Retail Fruit & Vegetable Federation.
In his spare time, he was a referee and had the honour of refereeing at Wembley. He was also a founding member of the Bradford Marathon; had a weekly fruit and veg programme on Radio Leeds and organised fundraising events.
In his later years, he cared for his wife, Mona, when she became bedridden. A resident of Newline Care Home in Greengates, he loved dancing, particularly when his granddaughters Holly and Ellie visited.
His family added: “Tony may be gone but fond memories come with each tomorrow. God bless you Tony, thank you for so many great memories, love Chris, Lesley, Sarah, Darren, Holly & Ellie.”
Valerie Gibson, from Little Horton, died at the age of 81.
Her family said: “Beloved wife of the late Barry Gibson, mum of Barry Junior, Lynne and Sharon and loving mother-in-law to Debbie, Steven and John. You will remain forever in the hearts of all of us, your grandchildren, great grandchildren and all family and friends. Re-united and at peace with your beloved husband.”
Well-respected Rotarian and former pharmacist Bruce Hammond, from Guiseley, died aged 89 after contracting coronavirus.
“He will be very sadly missed by us all,” said the Rotary Club of Aireborough, where Mr Hammond, a father-of-four and grandfather-of-five, was a member.
He was said to have been “very knowledgeable with a quirky sense of humour”.
Touching tributes were also paid to much-loved family man John Hoare, 62, who was originally from Baildon but lived in Saltaire at the time of his death.
His family said: “John will be in our hearts forever and never forgotten. You lived a good and selfless life, you were the most generous, kind and loving man and successfully negotiated any adversities thrown at you. If love could have saved you, you would live forever.”
- More tributes will be published online tomorrow, in the second part of our special edition.
Community answers
Pay your tributes to those lost to Covid-19 in 2020
"Whether in memory of a close loved one or in remembrance of all those lost this year, leave your tributes to the victims of coronavirus across the Bradford district and beyond"
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
My message:In the loving memory of my late father Sajawal Hussian. My dad was a great example of a good community leader. He was loved by many and touched many hearts.
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Sajawal Hussain Aged 63 My message:My Dad - Mohammed Ajmal Mir aged 66 left this world for his permanent home on 17/12/20. A hardworking, dedicated and loving husband, dad, grandad, brother and uncle. He migrated from Pakistan in the late 1960s and worked as a butcher until retirement. He followed a simple way of life true to his religion; a perfect example to his family and friends. Taken away from us far too soon due to this dreadful virus. So proud of his positive and fighting spirit right till the end. Missing you every day.
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Missing your smile and love My message:Too many lives lost before their time. RIP xxxx
My message:Our thoughts go out to everyone who has lost a loved one to this silent killer
My message:David Houston from Bradford Tyersal, age 39, sadly passed away 6th of May due to Covid-19. Taken away far too soon. He was a true gent and will be sadly missed by family and friends xxxx
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David My message:I lost my dad on 15.10.2020 because of Covid-19. He was 25 days in ICU. He was a good dad, his name is Jan Menda, 52years old. Loving dad. RIP.
My message:My Dad, Frank Murgatroyd, from Eccleshill, taken much too early at 80 years of age on May 1st. Not a day goes by without me thinking of you. I hope you're looking after mum up there. The world has lost another good one to this awful virus. Your loving son, Ross.
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Me and dad My message:So sorry for the lives lost :(
My message:Ruth Hemingway she worked for Hammonds Sauce with her two sisters Lilian and Margaret until they were made redundant. She was the oldest sibling. Me and my sister Diane Nicholson were her only nieces. She has two great nieces Francesca and Naomi and three great nephews Ashley, Joshua and Kieran. She's very missed by us all we are attending her funeral today December 31st R.I.P
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This was taken on a previous Christmas My message:In memory of a much loved dad, father-in-law and grandad Steven Raistrick. Lost on Christmas Day 2020 to Covid 19. We didn't get to say goodbye, but we will miss you everyday. x
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Steven Raistrick...life and soul of any party Pay your tributes to those lost to Covid-19 in 2020
Whether in memory of a close loved one or in remembrance of all those lost this year, leave your tributes to the victims of coronavirus across the Bradford district and beyond
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