Rhyl woman pays tribute to ‘happy-go-lucky’ dad following his death

David Brierley died suddenly aged 39 on Sunday, November 13, two days prior to his 40th birthday, and was father to 22-year-old Jodie Beswick.

Born in Rochdale, David moved to Abergele at about the age of 10, where he helped raise Jodie until her mid-teens, when the family relocated to Rhyl; he later also lived in Colwyn Bay.

A keen guitar player, David worked as a chef, but struggled with his mental health and had been diagnosed with both bipolar and post-traumatic stress disorder.

You can donate to Jodie’s only fundraiser, and help her reach her £3,000 target, by visiting: www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-da.

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Jodie Beswick with her late father, David Brierley (Image: Jodie Beswick)

She said: “He was a great dad. He was a happy-go-lucky, very music-orientated man. He didn’t go anywhere without a guitar pick in his pocket; music was his love language, really.

“I remember that, for my 10th birthday, he bought me a pink acoustic guitar and taught me how to play it. He just really loved playing music; it was such a passion of his.

“My advice to anyone in a similar situation to my dad would be just to reach out to people. I do feel like men find it harder to open up and talk about things, as if it’s a sign of weakness to do so.

“That’s not the case, but I think that’s still how it’s perceived. I still think it’s slightly a taboo subject.”

Jodie, who works as a manager at McDonald’s in Rhyl, said her dad also once donated a grand piano to a school in Conwy, and that “music is how he felt heard”.

All funds donated to her will put towards covering the funeral costs.

She added: “I want to give him a proper last goodbye, and a good send-off. It’s quite a difficult situation, really.

“His heart and soul was music; I think music is how he felt heard. This is the most heart-breaking time for me, but I would just love to give him the best send-off I possibly could.”

David Brierley (Image: Jodie Beswick)

Friends of David also paid tribute to him following his death.

Niall Vickers, a MOT tester from Dwygyfylchi, forged an “irreplaceable” friendship with him after they lived near each other.

He said: “We shared a lot in common, and were really close friends from the start. We were always helping each other out, and had an irreplaceable relationship.

“Dave was a very passionate man; he had a passion for Mercedes cars and was very excited about owning his first one.

“Above all, he was passionate about his family, always doing his best for his family that he loved dearly.

“I find myself very fortunate to have been included and accepted as part of his family, and to have been invited to special occasions and outings.

“The memories we have made I will carry with me, and always cherish that I was so fortunate to have met such a kind-hearted friend who also appreciated my friendship.”

Another of David’s friends, James Smith, said that “life will not be the same” without him.

James added: “Dave was a high-spirited, happy-go-lucky, and outgoing guy. He brightened any room with any crowd; he generally brought the life to the party .

“Dave had time for anyone. He took me in under his wing when I first moved here, and we hit it off immediately and became good friends really quickly.

“Before long, I'd spend most of my days at his home when I wasn't working, and we would jam our favourite songs on the guitars we built. He really was a man with many tricks up his sleeves.

“Sadly, I'll no longer be able to spend this free time with my friend anymore, and words can't describe how much it hurts to know I'll never see him again.”