A mother-of-three has been hit by a double tragedy after losing her ‘fit and healthy’ husband and her father to coronavirus within three weeks.
Brian Elsey, 40, from Cardiff, was admitted to hospital with Covid-19 on Christmas Eve, with wife Nadia, 38, and their children unable to see him before he died on January 10.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Nadia’s father Raymond Fettah then passed away 18 days later, leaving Nadia and her mother to care for Joshua, 10, James, seven, and Jessica, four.
This week Brian’s sister Sian, 39, paid tribute to her brother who was ‘always happy and smiling’ and a devoted father, known for his love of football, horse-racing and rugby.
Brian Elsey, 40, from Cardiff, was admitted to hospital with Covid-19 on Christmas Eve, with wife Nadia, 38, and their children unable to see him before he died on January 10
Brian, an Admiral employee, fell ill the week before Christmas, and when he was admitted to hospital his family thought he’d be given some oxygen and make a full recovery. Pictured with Nadia and children Joshua, 10, James, seven, and Jessica, four
‘The children were close to their dad and grampy, they were all daddy’s kids. Nadia is only 38 years old being left with three kids, it’s a shock,’ she said.
‘If it wasn’t for them it would be a different story but we have to put them first. We are quite a tight family so we do quite a lot of get togethers.’
She added: ‘Everyone who knew him said what a nice person he was. He was always happy, always smiling.
‘He loved rugby and supported his football teams, Man United and Cardiff City. He played rugby for Llandaff North RFC, the youths and adult team but stopped once he had kids.
‘We couldn’t do a big funeral but they did a big drive by and all the rugby boys went out on Station Road. They were all out on the pavement, socially distanced, clapping when the hearse went past.’
Sian told how Brian was unable to text his family to tell them how he was because he was on a ventilator (pictured with Nadia on his wedding day)
Brian, an Admiral employee, fell ill the week before Christmas, and when he was admitted to hospital his family thought he’d be given some oxygen and make a full recovery.
‘Christmas Day we had a phone call to say they were going to ventilate him as they wanted his body to recover and he died on the 10th,’ Sian recalled.
‘[The staff] were all amazing but it was such a weird time. You can’t visit and you’re relying on nurses and phoning nurses and them speaking to you to give you an update and they’re so incredibly busy.
‘You are in a bit of a limbo land. Because he was on a ventilator he couldn’t text to say he was okay.
In the weeks since Brian’s death, Sian said the family (pictured on a trip to Disney Land) had been overwhelmed by support
‘My mum and Nadia got called in but by the time they got there he had gone. My husband said he’d never celebrate Christmas again now he’s lost his best friend. It will be a hard one for the next few years.’
In the weeks since Brian’s death, Sian said the family had been overwhelmed by support, including by Brian’s employers at Admiral who have kept in touch to offer any help.
Previously Brian had also worked at Coral, spurring on his love of horse-racing as well as befriending the older customers he’d meet due to his chatty nature.
An outpouring of love and grief came from the community around them, raising more than £16,000 in just a matter of weeks to try and help those left behind.
Known as BopBop to friends and family for both his dance moves and for ‘talking with his hands’ after a drink, Brian was a proper family man.
When Sian married Brian’s best friend David the group became even closer, with the family spending countless occasions together. Pictured: siblings Mark, Sian, Brian, Laura and mum Lesley
After growing up in Fairwater he moved to Creigiau with his wife Nadia and Nadia’s parents but would often see siblings Sian, Mark and Laura and parents Lesley and Vincent.
When Sian married Brian’s best friend David the group became even closer, with the family spending countless occasions together.
Looking forward Sian said she and her family will try to focus on the happy memories they shared with Brian, as well as prioritising his young family.
The money raised by the GoFundMe page will go towards his children’s futures, Sian added.
A ‘doting and loving father’, Brian will also be remembered as a ‘wonderfully loyal friend to all’ known ‘for making everyone laugh with his quick wit’
As well as the financial support, comments on the fundraising page also pay testament to way Brian is being remembered. Comments describe him as a ‘true gentleman who always made everyone feel happy and welcomed’ as well as ‘one of the good guys whose smile lit up a room’
A ‘doting and loving father’, Brian will also be remembered as a ‘wonderfully loyal friend to all’ known ‘for making everyone laugh with his quick wit’.
Sian added: ‘Last year Brian was 40. He did say last year,”I’m not celebrating my 40th, I’m pushing it back a year as I can’t celebrate in lockdown”. Obviously he is not going to do that this year. We’ll have to do it for him.’