A Tribute to Brian Clark
A tribute to Brian Clark, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Dad and Mum first met on a blind date in Barking in 1956, and two years later, they were married, enjoying 67 wonderful years together.
They built a bungalow in Rainham, which became their home and the centre of our family life. It was there that they raised me and my sister Jayne, and it was in that very bungalow—his beloved home—that Dad passed away peacefully on 9th July 2025, with Mum, Jayne, and I at his side, just as he wished.
Dad was a quiet and proud man but he could chat easily about West Ham, and when spoken to, he had a wealth of knowledge and interest about so many different things.
He loved quizzes and sport was a big part of his life. In his younger days, he played for the West Ham Academy for two years. He never made it into the first team, but that didn’t diminish his love for football. He went on to play non-league for Barking, before later turning his hand to golf, becoming a member of Upminster Golf Club. In later years he took up bowls, joining Parsloes Bowling Club, where he made more friends and enjoyed the game immensely. Dad was also a member of the Royal British Legion in Dagenham.
Family was the most important thing to Dad. If we were happy, he was happy. He was always there to wipe away our tears, with the handkerchief he carried, be it in sad times or in celebrations, he was the one we all turned to.
Dad was not just a husband and father, but also a grandfather and great-grandfather. He was the pinnacle of strength, upstanding, values, support and unconditional love. He and Mum shared many cruises and holidays, exploring new places. But one of Dad’s greatest joys was when he managed to take the whole family on a cruise together. His smile during that trip was so wide it lit up his entire face—he said it was like winning the lottery.
Dad faced many health challenges over the years with courage. He had previously overcome both testicular and prostate cancer. In 2021, he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and though medication helped for a time, there was no cure.
By 2022, further concerns about kidney cancer arose, but at 87, we agreed not to put him through further tests. Sadly, his dementia worsened in 2024, as did recurrent infections. In May this year, a fall at home sent him to hospital, where tests revealed both a dislocated arm and that his cancer had spread to his pelvic region.
From then, Dad came home under palliative care. For two months, he was confined to a hospital bed in his cherished bungalow. During this time, Mum herself was also confined to a hospital bed at home, recovering from a fractured hip after a fall in late 2024. Yet, as always, they remained inseparable.
Their devotion to each other never wavered. We had always known of Saint Francis Hospice, as Mum and Dad donated to them every Christmas, but we had no idea about the incredible Hospice at Home service until Lianne, who is a health care assistant with the team, first visited.
From that moment, we were given the most extraordinary support. Every morning at 9am, Dawn from the team would call to check on us, and offer to send someone in. Every time, we said yes.
The Hospice at Home team cared for Dad with tenderness and professionalism. They spoke with Mum, comforted Jayne and I, and gave us the freedom to run errands or take a break without the crushing guilt of leaving Dad’s side. They made us laugh and cry when we needed it most. They were, and always will be, unforgettable.
Without their compassion, friendship, and genuine love, we would not have been able to stay as strong as we did during those final weeks. Words cannot truly express our gratitude. That is why, in Dad’s memory, we set up a donation page for Saint Francis Hospice, so that others may benefit from the same extraordinary support we received. On behalf of Mum, Jayne, and myself, thank you for everything you did for Dad, and for us.
