Tragedy on operating table

Published 13 Jul 2010 10:00

THE family of a popular great grand-dad and much-loved member of the community has been left utterly shocked by his sudden death.

Tommy Nairn, 77, from Dumbarton, sadly died while under anaesthetic as he was about to undergo surgery at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Before the operation Tommy had been "in good spirits" and was joking with hospital staff, a relative revealed.

His death has been met with shock around the Dumbarton and St Patrick's Church community where he was described as someone who "affected everyone he met".

The funeral of the former Denny shipyard worker will take place today (Tuesday) at St Patrick's and following the service - expected to be attended by large numbers of mourners - he will be laid to rest at Dumbarton cemetery.

Ahead of the funeral, his daughter Patricia Maxwell, spoke to the Reporter, still in shock at the loss of her dad.

She said: "He got taken into hospital that morning and he was supposed to have an operation in the afternoon - he died while under anaesthetic.

"He had been ill for a few weeks, but we didn't think he was that ill.

"I spoke to him at three o'clock that day and then I got a phone call at half past four saying he had died.

"He was in very good spirits and was joking when he went down to the theatre - the nurses were putting the band on his wrist before it and he was joking 'is that us engaged now?'"

She added: "They thought he would have been in intensive care for a time.

"It wasn't a standard procedure, it was a risky operation.

"It was really quite difficult because he had a heart condition."

Tommy had been an active member of St Patrick's Church for most of his life and served on the church's hall committee for 40 years.

Members of community groups and clubs in the area which used the hall have been left saddened and shocked by the passing of a man who "saw the good in everybody".

Acting as a pass keeper at the church, Tommy handed out hymn books and while on the Hall Committee got to know members of countless groups and clubs in the area which used the facilities.

Canon Gerry Conroy, of St Patrick's, said: "If there was any functions at the hall, Tommy was there to help organise things - he'll be greatly missed because of the amount of work he did.

"He was a friendly fellow and he would do anything to help - everybody is upset about it."

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 13 Jul 10

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