Tributes paid to ‘most kind-hearted’ Worthing father who died suddenly from Covid-19

A Worthing family have paid tribute to ‘the most kind-hearted’ father, after being unable to visit him in hospital due to Covid.
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Simon Brodrick was a well-known face in the town – a lifelong resident, he was the head of estates and facilities at Greater Brighton Metropolitan College, formerly Northbrook, for 26 years.

Not only did Simon work on the college’s five campuses, he drew technical drawings for house extensions all over Sussex in a trade he inherited from his father in 1990.

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Simon, who was in his 60s, contracted Covid-19 on New Year’s Eve along with his daughter, Sophie, and his wife Donna.

Simon Brodrick with his daughter, Sophie, and wife, Donna SUS-210415-121021001Simon Brodrick with his daughter, Sophie, and wife, Donna SUS-210415-121021001
Simon Brodrick with his daughter, Sophie, and wife, Donna SUS-210415-121021001

After being taken into Worthing Hospital on January 5, Simon was put on a ventilator in the intensive care unit on January 16.

Heartbreakingly, his family were unable to visit him due to Covid restrictions and, on February 7, Simon sadly passed away.

His daughter, Sophie, praised Worthing Hospital staff for their care and paid tribute to her father.

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“I would describe my Dad as funny, creative, hard-working, intelligent, and patient,” she said.

Simon Brodrick (right) with his niece, Mia, and children Sophie, Mark and Mandy SUS-210415-121031001Simon Brodrick (right) with his niece, Mia, and children Sophie, Mark and Mandy SUS-210415-121031001
Simon Brodrick (right) with his niece, Mia, and children Sophie, Mark and Mandy SUS-210415-121031001

“He was the most kind-hearted man we will ever know. He was quite quiet but he got on with everyone, which is probably why he was so well-known.”

When Simon was placed into a coma, the staff at Worthing Hospital contacted his family as part of the Knowing Me programme.

Sophie said they asked for personal details such as information on his family, his favourite things, hobbies – all things they could speak to him about that he would be able to hear despite being unconscious.

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Although the family were unable to visit, they recorded voice notes that hospital staff played to Simon and sent pictures to put up around his bed in case he woke up.

“It was reassuring to know that if he did wake up he would have pictures of us around him, and it was comforting to know he might be able to hear us,” said Sophie.

The nurses were ‘extremely sad and upset’ to see her father pass away, Sophie added, after caring him for more than a month.

For his final send-off, the funeral procession drove Simon from his home in Worthing to each of the five college campuses where he had worked for so long.

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Simon leaves behind his wife, Donna; three children – Sophie, Mark and Mandy; his grandchildren Mia and Mason and a father-in-law, brother-in-law, son-in-law, an uncle, great-uncle and great-great-uncle.

His family are raising money for the intensive care unit at Worthing Hospital as a thank you to the staff who cared for Simon ‘endlessly’.

Donations can be made to via funeral director HD Tribe Ltd, Broadwater, on 01903 234516.