'We never got to say goodbye': Family's appeal after Leeds welder dies from asbestos cancer

The family of a Leeds welder who died from an asbestos-related cancer are urging his former colleagues to help establish how he was exposed to the deadly material.

Great-grandfather Dave Goff, who grew up on Kirkstall Road, died just weeks after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs linked to asbestos exposure, often several decades earlier.

Following Dave's death, his wife, Carol, instructed specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how the 78-year-old was exposed to asbestos.

To mark Action Mesothelioma Day today (July 3), Dave's loved ones and their legal team are appealing to anyone who worked with him at any stage of his career to come forward with information.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who worked with Dave during his time at Spooners Food Machinery Engineering Company Limited, where he was employed as a welder manufacturing industrial ovens at the firm's White Cross base in Guiseley between 1965 and 1972.

Carol said: "Dave was the loveliest and kindest man you could wish to meet. He was devoted to his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren. Before his illness, he enjoyed gardening and holidays and led an active life. However, that all changed.

"One of the hardest things to come to terms with is how quickly Dave's condition deteriorated. We hadn't even come to terms with his diagnosis before he passed away. Everything happened so quickly that it feels like we never got the chance to say goodbye properly as a family.

"We know nothing can bring Dave back, but we feel we owe it to him to find out how he was exposed to asbestos. If anyone remembers working with him or has any information about the conditions at Spooners, please get in touch. It would mean so much to us."

Dave was also president of Kippax Central Working Men's Club in Leeds from the 2010s until 2021.

He began experiencing symptoms, including a persistent cough and weight loss, in 2023. Following tests, he was diagnosed with the cancer in November that year.

However, his condition quickly deteriorated, and he was admitted to a hospice. He died on December 27, 2023.

Lucy Andrews, an asbestos-related disease specialist at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Dave's family, said: "Mesothelioma is a terrible disease which often develops decades after exposure to asbestos. Dave's family remain devastated by his death, which came so soon after his diagnosis.

"Understandably, they still have many questions about how Dave was exposed to asbestos. While nothing can make up for their loss, we're determined to help provide the answers they deserve.

"If anyone can come forward with information about the conditions Dave worked in, it could prove vital to our investigation."

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Lucy Andrews at Irwin Mitchell on 0113 394 6782 or by email at [email protected].