David Brown: a legacy inspired by medical care in Sheffield
Lifelong Sheffield resident David was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and sadly passed in 2024. The care he'd received at Sheffield hospitals inspired him to leave a kind legacy gift to Cancer Research Sheffield through the University.
David Alexander Brown was born in Sheffield in March 1958, and lived his whole life in the leafy Crookes and Crosspool suburbs.
After leaving school in 1974, David took a stonemasonry apprenticeship with Sheffield City Council Highways, working across the city and surrounding areas. He earned a reputation for being hardworking and highly personable, with very wide circles of both close and casual friends and acquaintances. When not at work, he loved socialising at local discos, clubs and pubs, always enjoying the camaraderie of his various friendship groups.
After retiring from the Highways division in 2003, David set up his own business specialising in driveways and patios, which he continued to run until health issues forced him to stop. He'd been diagnosed with Barrett's oesophagus after repeated episodes of acid reflux, and this eventually progressed to a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer, forcing him to undergo an open oesophagectomy in February 2017.
Brothers David (l) and John as youngsters in the late 1960s
David was a truly decent and kind man and a loving brother. I was proud of him for making a success of his own business.
Our father died in 2020, aged ninety-nine, and our mother died in 2022, aged ninety-one. David knew that he was never going to get anywhere near those ages; he accepted that and tried to live life to the full.
I will always be immensely proud of him for his courage and positive outlook in the face of adversity; he was a real inspiration.
John
David's brother
David was later discovered to have also developed multiple myeloma, requiring treatment with chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. The chemotherapy affected the nerves in his feet, and he almost had to learn to walk again, but eventually his myeloma was in remission.
Tragically, his oesophageal cancer continued to spread during this period, and on 11 July 2024, aged 66, David died in hospital from metastatic oesophageal cancer and pulmonary embolism.
As noted by his family, the impressive turnout at David’s funeral was testament to how much he was liked and loved. He was buried in Crookes Cemetery, a 10-minute walk from both his home in Manchester Road, and from his childhood home in St Anthony Road.
David and I first met in 1983, and we saw each other for a year. When we met again in 1997, we both realised that we were meant for each other, and we have been together ever since. We married in Las Vegas in 1999. We both loved music, dancing and travelling; over the years we visited many countries across North America, Western Europe, and Asia.
In 2024, although David was in poor health, we went on a Caribbean cruise and later had what was to be our last holiday together at Gran Canaria, our winter ‘home from home’ since 1997. He remained positive and was still looking ahead. David was my true love, best friend, and soulmate. Working together, David was able to live life to the full. I was and am so proud of him.
Carmel
David's wife (pictured in 2023 with David, top of page)
Despite not being an alumnus of Sheffield, the care David received throughout the course of his illness moved him to leave a generous gift to the University in his Will, supporting the pioneering work of Cancer Research Sheffield (CRS).
The team at CRS takes a data-driven approach to different types of research, and includes experts from a diverse range of fields. The project brings together medicine, science, engineering and social sciences, aiming to better understand the world's biggest challenges in cancer, and focusing on developing innovative solutions to improve the lives of patients today and tomorrow.
The key research areas CRS tackles include cancer prevention and early diagnosis, advanced diagnostic technologies, improved care delivery, enhancing patient experience and voice, and improving outcomes for cancer patients.
Wayne (l) and his dad David enjoying an evening out together
My dad and I shared a love of Sheffield Wednesday, and we both had season tickets. I loved nothing more than going for a pint and then onto the match with him. Dad was a very sociable person and always had the best and loudest shirt in the room! Dad loved his music and was always singing along to something.
He was a beloved Grandad to Harrison, and he was so proud of spending time with Harrison and watching him grow. Sadly, dad never got to meet his second grandchild Alfie. My dad passed away just 5 weeks before Alfie was born. But I will make sure Alfie knows all about his Grandad David.
Wayne
David's son
David's kind gift will help ensure the continued delivery of this vital work, and promises to have a lasting positive impact on other patients and families living with cancer.
The University extends its deepest condolences to David's loved ones and many friends, and is moved that he chose to help support a brighter future for other cancer patients in Sheffield and beyond.
A sincere thank you to David, and to his family for supplying the memories featured in this warm tribute.