Moving message Dad’s last words for loving family
TRIBUTES have been paid to a “larger than life” dad who left behind an inspirational message for his family.
Former University of Bristol lecturer Daryl Dugdale has died at the age of 55, having been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016.
The Bristol City fan was passionate about his family, music and social justice, and friends say his legacy will live on in the students he taught and the many others whose lives he touched.
His courage was captured in a powerful message, which was left in the ‘notes’ section of his phone and found by his wife Tracey after he died.
It read: “We shouldn’t ever fear death but embrace it, content in the fact that during our life we did everything within our means to achieve, enjoy and grow. On all these points I feel I have maxed out.
“For that reason I can close my eyes with a smile and a feeling of smug self satisfaction.
“If I were to offer advice to my younger self it would be, always be honest with yourself and to others, strive for one thing and one thing only, your own happiness, and above all do everything you can in your day-to-day lives to support and enable social justice.”
Daryl died on May 26, and is survived by his wife Tracey, his son Zak and his daughter Ede.
He was a lecturer at the university in social work, and programme director for the Social Work MSc, before he retired in 2017.
In the note left on his phone, he even requested that everyone at his funeral next week wears the “brightest clothes they can”, encouraging them to celebrate life and the fun times they enjoyed together.
The note was shared on his blog, which he used to document his adventures and his cancer journey.
It added: “Share the crazy anecdotes and laugh until you cry, that’s the sort of tears I would prefer to see.
“The last thing I would request is you all party as hard as you can, as I always did, and whilst being safe and looking after one another have lots of fun, continue to celebrate our friendship and please don’t forget it.”
He described his wife as his greatest love, and their children as his greatest achievement.
The scholar’s friend and colleague Aggie Bezzina has shared a heartfelt tribute on the university’s website.
Although she noted how popular he was with the students, she added: “Daryl was not your conventional scholar.
“He found joy in sharing his many non-academic passions with those around him.
“He followed Bristol City FC and Newcastle United FC and was a regular supporter at Ashton Gate Stadium.”
Aggie remembered his “unparalleled enthusiasm for music”, as a big fan of bands including The Smiths.
He also loved to DJ at their parties, she said, including at his retirement fundraiser in 2017.
She continued: “Anyone who crossed paths with Daryl would say that he was larger than life.
“His physical presence will be sorely missed by colleagues and friends at the School for Policy Studies, but his genuine passion for human rights and social justice, and the positive energy he brought to social work teaching, leadership and research, will live on through the many social work practitioners, educators and students who Daryl touched by his life.”
The school has set up a donations page in Daryl’s memory, raising money for the Penny Brohn Cancer Charity, which has supported him and his family since his diagnosis.
To donate visit paypal.com/pools/ c/8A7AeBn3rB