Remembering Sheffield's first Covid victim as UK marks anniversary of first lockdown

Leonard Gibson, aged 78 and from Oughtibridge, died in the Northern General Hospital on March 17 after testing positive for coronavirus at the start of the pandemic.

He was confirmed as the city’s first Covid victim by health chiefs who have since gone on to record more than 1,000 deaths across the city.

Leonard, a dad-of-two who had four grandchildren, died the week after he was diagnosed with the virus.

He had been prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection after feeling unwell for a few days before he was eventually admitted to hospital and Covid-19 was identified.

Leonard, who had 12 siblings, was born in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and came to South Yorkshire to work when he was 26.

He spent a number of years at Orgreave coking plant and brought up his family in Woodhouse, Sheffield.

He returned to Ireland when his marriage ended but moved back to Sheffield two years ago to be closer to his daughters, Lisa Broughton and Michelle Lenton.

Lisa, from Catcliffe, described her dad a ‘kind, loving, generous, crazy and fun loving’.

She said he would be remembered as a ‘jolly Irish man who made everyone smile’.

Due to Covid restrictions, only a small funeral could be held, with Leonard’s family keen to mark his passing with all his family and friends once restrictions are lifted.