‘He’s a big chunk of our lives gone’
TRIBUTES PAID TO ‘KIND AND CARING’ GRANDAD WHO DIED AFTER CONTRACTING COVID IN HOSPITAL
TRIBUTES have been paid to a “kind and caring” grandad who died after contracting coronavirus.
Having been recently ill with chest and urinary infections, and suffering with a “bad back”, Lauri Poole was taken to hospital because he couldn’t stand up and kept collapsing.
Daughter Caroline Poole, 55, explained it was planned that he’d receive respite treatment at a rehabilitation centre once discharged - and “they were just waiting for a bed there” so he could receive physiotherapy.
But, after her dad was admitted to the Queen’s Medical Centre on January 6, she said: “I received a phone call that said unfortunately he had contracted the coronavirus and they were taking him to the ward to be treated for that.
“For 10 days he had no symptoms, according to the medical staff.”
Miss Poole, who cared for her dad on a full-time basis for the last few years, said he took a turn for the worst.
Mr Poole, who lived in Longlands Close, Beeston Rylands, died on Friday, January 29, at the age of 82.
His family said he tested negative for the virus on arrival to hospital and had been shielding.
Miss Poole, who lived with her dad, said: “He’s a big chunk of our lives just gone really.
“We’re just heartbroken, really sad and it was just a shock to us as a family because we were not expecting the diagnosis and that result.”
Mr Poole worked for the telecommunications company Plessey, which at its peak employed more than 7,000 people at its Beeston site, and he was known for working in the cash office.
“He was kind, caring, he was really proud of his grandchildren,” said Miss Poole, paying tribute.
“He used to be on the committee of the Plessey social club, he used to book all the acts, he was the one that paid them all - he used to run the raffle to collect money for charities.
“He was a really nice and friendly man, he was a union rep, he liked to help people.
“Everyone that we have spoken to has said ‘oh he was a lovely guy, we used to speak to him on the number 18 bus.’”
Mr Poole lost his wife Shirley three years ago and before she passed away the couple had celebrated 52 years of marriage. Mr Poole, who supported Nottingham Forest and enjoyed reading and making jigsaw puzzles, also leaves behind daughter Janine Poole, son Jonathan Poole and nine grandchildren.
His other daughter, Angela Musson, 52, explained her dad had underlying health issues, specifically chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and type two diabetes.
Mrs Musson, who lives in Chilwell and works in retail, added he was treated in hospital for an “aggressive skin infection”.
“The Covid had already taken a hold of him, and, for somebody that has got COPD, your lungs are weak anyway.
“This Covid attacks your lungs, he would not have stood much of a chance after contracting that,” she said.
“Obviously we are all devastated but he did have health issues. “It’s quite a difficult pill to swallow that Covid took him.
“I can’t blame them, you only have to look at the news, with the figures and all the different variants they are having to deal with.” Mrs Musson, a mum of two sons, believes her dad’s death to be linked to the diabetes, COPD and coronavirus complications. The family do not expect an inquest to take place. A spokeswoman for Nottingham University Hospitals said: “We would like to extend our condolences to Mr Poole’s family for their loss.”
We’re just heartbroken, really sad and it was a shock to us as a family. Caroline Poole