THE DAUGHTER of a former boiler stoker from Coventry is appealing to her dad’s old GEC workmates for information following his death from asbestos-related disease.
Thomas Perry, known as Tom, was diagnosed with asbestosis, a lung condition where the inside of the lung becomes scarred. The condition is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.
Following Tom’s death aged 83, his daughter Dawn Perry instructed lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her dad’s illness and if it was linked to his work history.
Dawn has now joined with the legal team to appeal to any of Tom’s former workmates to come forward with information on the working conditions he would have faced.
They are keen to trace anyone who remembers working with Tom during his time as a boiler stoker with General Electric Co Ltd (GEC) Coventry branch in 1961-62 and 1969-70, and Associated Electrical Industries Limited (AEI) Coventry branch from 1961-62 to 1969-70.
Irwin Mitchell lawyer Maria Roberts said: “Tom’s family are understandably still coming to terms with his death and what it means for the future.
“The family remain devastated by his loss and still have many unanswered questions concerning his exposure to asbestos.
“Nothing can bring Tom back to his family, but we’re determined to provide the answers the family is looking for. If any of Tom’s old workmates could come forward with information, it would be really appreciated by Dawn and her brothers.
“Tom was a well-known and respected member of the community and any information could make all the difference in providing the answers the family is looking for.”
In 1961, Tom went to work for General Electric Co Ltd as a boiler stoker, and remained with the firm on and off until 1970.
Tom went onto work for Associated Electrical Industries Ltd (AEI) in Coventry in between his work with the General Electric Co Ltd from 1963 to 1969.
Tom’s family believe he spent all of his working day in the boiler room – particularly at AEI – and Tom recalled it was a very dusty environment with what he believed was asbestos lagging on the pipework. Tom’s role involved filling the furnaces with coal to heat the buildings and his family remember him being covered in dust and dirt on his return home.
Born in 1939, Tom was married to Dawn who later passed away at only 47 years old. The couple had four children together – Steven, Dawn, Simon and Stewart. They have many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Tom and Dawn lived in Wood End and later moved to Earlsdon where they built their own successful landscape gardening business, developing landscapes for Coventry City council among others. They also went on to have their own antique and second hand shop.
Their last venture together was to move to Cliftonville in Kent where they owned a guest house.
Tom decided to move back to Coventry when his wife passed away to be close to his family.
Tom continued to have a love for gardening and had his allotment where he grew fruit and vegetables. He also became a member of a rambling club in Coventry.
Tom had always enjoyed good health until he began to suffer with progressive deterioration of breathlessness over a number of years. After consulting with his GP, Tom was sent for various tests and was ultimately diagnosed with asbestosis.
Tom’s condition continued to deteriorate and he died surrounded by his family in December 2022, aged 83.
Dawn said: “Dad was an amazing man, a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who didn’t deserve to have his life cut short by this horrible disease.
“Dad was committed to looking after his family but he also cared deeply about the local community and the people. He did everything he could to improve the area when he lived in Wood End and ensure that the concerns of local people were listened to. He was proud to serve as the treasurer of the Wood End Community Association and committed much of his time to helping people where he could.
“When dad was first given the diagnosis we were all in shock, but later he did say he had worked in an environment where asbestos was present. He said it was used for so much back then.
“In his usual style, dad was keen to find out more and pursue the truth about his asbestos exposure but the disease meant he didn’t get the chance to do it. He spoke out for so many people that it feels right that we do the same for dad. We as a family promised him we would continue to raise awareness of the ill health implications of asbestos exposure
“If anyone he worked with or was aware of the conditions he worked in could come forward, we’d be so grateful. I’m sure dad would appreciate it and it’s one last thing we can do for a special man who gave so much of himself to his family and the local community.”
Anyone with information which could help Dawn and the family is asked to contact Maria Roberts at Irwin Mitchell via [email protected] or on 0121 203 4025.
