Covid-19: son’s tribute to ‘caring and loving dad’

Patrick McManus (60), who had been a nurse for more than 40 years, passed away last weekend at the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

Father-of-three Patrick, originally from Townsend Street in Strabane, had worked at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary before transferring to Stafford around 10 years ago.

Kevin McManus, one of Patrick’s sons, said his father had contracted “this cruel virus” while working on the frontline “doing what he’s done for 40 years - caring and looking after others.”

Kevin said his dad was a man who “stood up for what he believed in and fought for others.”

“He was a proud man who loved ‘his boys’, his grandchildren and all his family very much. I know there’s a lot of people out there who cared about dad a lot.”

Kevin says that, due to lockdown restrictions, only one of his three brothers could go in and see their father “at the end”.

“It was hard not being able to see him, that was the most difficult part,” Kevin said.

Kevin also paid tribute to the “brilliant” hospital staff for helping the family through such a difficult time.

Colleagues have also been paying tribute to Patrick, hailing him as a “larger than life character” and a “supportive leader”.

The University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust described him as a “loveable character”.

Tracy Bullock, UHNM chief executive, said: “Patrick McManus was an extremely well-liked and valued member of the nursing team at County Hospital, Stafford.

“He was a loveable character and brought kindness and compassion to all his patients, which was acknowledged by the number of compliments and thank you messages he received.

“He was an exceptional leader and took staff and students under his wing. He will be sorely missed.”