Grandfather, 83, killed himself in lockdown because he feared catching the bug and that the world would never be the same again
- Dennis Ward, 83, felt vulnerable and was struggling to deal with life in lockdown
- Grandson James Parnaby said he killed himself amid fears of catching Covid-19
- Dennis was described as ‘happy go lucky’ and his death has left family in shock
- James has set up a fundraiser for the Mind mental charity in memory of Dennis
- If you need help you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A grandfather has taken his own life after struggling to cope with lockdown leaving his family utterly devastated and in shock.
Dennis Ward, 83, had felt vulnerable and scared of catching Covid-19, said his grandson James Parnaby, who confirmed he was found dead at his home in Kings Norton, Birmingham, on Saturday.
He described him as a ‘happy go lucky’ character and the ‘life and soul’ of the party who had never had issues with depression before.
Dennis Ward, 83, tragically took his own life amid fears of catching the deadly coronavirus
‘But the reality of it all is that he was struggling with being vulnerable and self isolating,’ he said. ‘Fears of catching the virus and the world never being the same again finally took its toll.’
Dennis grew up in Coventry but spent much of his life living in the Kings Heath area of south Birmingham. He had worked at Jaguar Land Rover in Castle Bromwich and was married to his wife Valerie Ward for 60 years.
She said: ‘Dennis was someone who would go out every single day and always looked forward to seeing his family.
‘The impact of this lockdown was terrible and it became too much for him. I’m heartbroken and the family are numb with shock.’
Dennis is also survived by his son and daughter Valerie and Adam, three grandchildren Paul, Jenna and James as well as great granddaughter Scarlett.
His death was totally unexpected for the family. James said: ‘I woke up to a call from my dad to say that your grandad has committed suicide, it came as a huge shock and has hit the family like a tonne of bricks and will be hard to understand for us all.’
He posted an emotional tribute to his grandfather on Facebook in an effort to raise awareness of people battling hidden mental health issues during lockdown and to urge people to keep in touch with their relatives.
James has also launched a fundraising campaign for the Mind mental charity in memory of Dennis, which has already generated hundreds of pounds.
James said: ‘Everyone is fighting their own personal battles at the moment with the current situation being in lockdown. I know so many people who are struggling to cope. Unfortunately with great sadness my grandad, Dennis Ward could no longer fight that battle and decided to take his own life.
His grandson, James Parnaby (pictured), described him as a ‘happy go lucky’ man who’d never had issues with depression before. A fundraising campaign has been set up in Dennis’ memory
‘Before this terrible Covid-19 virus came along, he had never been one to be depressed or suffer with his mental health and was relatively healthy for a 83-year old.
‘He was a happy go lucky sort of man, the life and soul at family parties, dancing away to rock n roll hits, always wooing the ladies (sorry nan), he loved betting on the horses and drinking one too many ales or whiskeys. His endless stories would always entertain us.’
He added: ‘I ask you all today, to just pick up the phone to your parents, grandparents, friends or anyone vulnerable to check up on them and ask if they are okay and are coping. I never got the chance to speak to him as I thought he would be okay and would see him on the other side.
‘Nobody knew the hidden effects it was having on him. Imagine what must have been going on his head to go ahead with what he did with no warning to family. I’m sure there are a lot of other people in the same situation now, so reach out to them as you could potentially save a life.’
- If you need help you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123.