Tributes are paid to hero ambulance worker Phil
TRIBUTES have been paid to an ambulance service worker who died after contracting coronavirus.
Phil Rennie worked as a patient transport service care assistant for North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) in Oldham.
The father-of-one and husband died at Fairfield General Hospital.
He had been with NWAS since 2015, having earlier worked in public services. Daren Mochrie, chief executive of NWAS, announced Mr Rennie’s death.
He said: “It is with great sadness I share the news that North West Ambulance Service has lost a dear friend and colleague who contracted Covid-19.
“Phil Rennie, Patient Transport
Service Care Assistant based in Oldham, sadly passed away on Sunday, 10 May, in Fairfield General Hospital.
“Phil leaves his wife Karen, son Adam and extended family. He has been part of the NWAS family since 2015 and has dedicated his career to serving the public, previously working in local authority and public services. Phil was extremely proud to work for NWAS, offering comfort and care to those in need. Our role is a privileged one, we meet people at their most vulnerable, and I am sure there are many people whose lives were touched by Phil during his career. “We have been supporting Phil’s family during this terrible time and they are in the thoughts of everyone here at NWAS – our deepest sympathies go out to them. Phil will be sorely missed by us all.
“I would like to thank our hospital colleagues in Fairfield General Hospital for their care, compassion and professionalism while caring for our friend and I know they will also feel the loss of a colleague from the NHS family.
“We are supporting our staff, particularly those who worked closely with Phil, as I know this will deeply affect them all.
“We will not be making any further announcements and ask the media to respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time. This statement
Ellen, 89, died at Tameside Hospital on April 29.
She loved her days out in Blackpool, and also enjoyed knitting and crochet and trips out to bingo.
Her granddaughter Kirsty Roughley said: “She always had a smile on her face no matter what the struggle.
“She was one of the best role models we could all ask for.
“She was always singing and telling us stories and always spoke highly of her loved ones.
“She cherished us all and taught us so much inner strength throughout her life. She was a strong fighter and beat all the odds by reaching 89.”
She added: “We love you so much Nanna Ellen RIP fly high.”
She had a daughter Elaine Edwards, granddaughter Linda Edwards, grandsons Michael Edwards and Jason Edwards, and great grandsons Connor Holbrook and Camron Holbrook.
Neil had a passion for photography and weight training. He leaves his beloved fiancée Annemarie. He had daughters Samantha, Lydia and Ellie and son Mitchell, brother Lewis, and sisters Jennifer and Laura.
He was brotherin-law to John,
Christine and Tom. He was uncle to Amanda, Philip, Louise, Catherine and Matthew.
Neil was great-uncle to Issy, Ben, Abigail, Harry, Ruby, Tyler, Alex and Finley.
Sister Laura described him as ‘a wise, witty, funny and charming person, with so much talent. He had met the love of his life and had everything to live for’. She said he was ‘taken much too soon’. He died at Salford Royal Hospital on April 22.
Keith, from Heywood, was married to his devoted wife Moira and leaves behind five loving children.
He lived for his grandkids, some of which were blood related and some of which weren’t. He had 13 in total. He also had one greatgrandchild. He had a sister Ruth, while his brother John passed away a few years ago.
Keith was a keen collector and an avid fundraiser, he raised hundreds of pounds for charity.
He loved to make others smile above anything else.
He was well travelled and relished the opportunity to see and experience new things.
A large part of his life was in Huddersfield, where he was the landlord of the Wellington pub and manager of the university student union bar.
His son Stuart said: “As long as we can live our lives the best we can, he will never truly be is the only information that we will be sharing.”
In April, NWAS announced the loss of another worker, whose family asked not to be named.
The paramedic was married with children and had worked for the ambulance service for a considerable number of years.
Phil was extremely proud to work for NWAS, offering comfort and care to those in need Daren Mochrie, NWAS chief executive
gone. If we make sure his stories live on, I know he will live forever through all of us and many generations to come.”
He peacefully passed away on April 25 at Fairfield Hospital in Bury, with his wife by his side.
Eric, from New Moston, died on April 15 at Acacia Lodge Care Home.
The 79-year-old was a loving husband to late wife Carol, loving dad to Jean and Garry, devoted grandad to Callum and also a loving brother and uncle.
Born in 1940, he was the second youngest of 13 and grew up in Collyhurst and Blackley.
He was a ‘typical lad’, his family said, and he delivered coal aged 10 to earn a bit of pocket money. He worked for the same company in Stockport all his life, eventually becoming the warehouse manager, until his retirement in 1997.
He met and married his beloved wife Carol and settled in Chadderton until sadly Carol passed away in 1985.
He moved to New Moston where he brought up Jean and Garry on his own, doing a ‘grand job’. He loved gardening and holidays, singing and telling jokes.
Jean and Garry said: “Dad, you only wanted a smile from anyone as it cost nothing and was worth a million dollars. Our smiles have gone for now but hopefully we will find them again soon. Love forever.”