A BRITISH brother and sister are trying to piece together the last years of their dad’s life in Spain.
Catherine Lagden, 41, and Julian Moorcroft, 39, from Merseyside, only discovered their estranged father had died after reading his obituary in their local newspaper.
Now they are on a quest to discover what he did in the years leading up to his death.
David Ronald Moorcroft moved to San Pedro six years ago, where he worked in the furnishing business and an estate agency.
But he died of a heart attack whilst jogging on October 10, aged 63, and was cremated at Maria Read’s funeral parlour on October 18.
His ex-wife Sandra Nixon said: “It is so sad because his two children live in the UK and they missed his funeral and the latter years of his life and so wish to fill in the missing gaps.
“Catherine had wanted him to know he had three lovely grandchildren and really wanted to seek him out but tragically we read about his shocking death in our local paper.”
According to Nixon, the pair were married very young in the late 1960s and quickly found themselves with two children and a lot of responsibility.
Gradually they drifted apart and although Moorcroft met his children as teenagers a bond was not forged and they lost track of him soon after he went to Spain.
Nixon said: “Catherine and Julian would just really like any memories or anecdotes to throw light on this very sad situation, and we are hoping someone out there knows something helpful.”
Pls email jon@theolivepress.es if you can help
I am David Moorcrofts widow, and have been in touch with this family when Dave died. David had lost contact and sadly did not wish to make contact, for his own reasons. David was a quiet man and much liked here in Marbella, I am sure that our friends will continue respect Daves memory. There is no secret being with held, just sadly estranged children who I am in communication with, so there really is no need for further response.
Thank you for publishing the “Tracing David” feature. The response received from UK sources has been priceless and much appreciated by Catherine and Julian, David Moorcroft’s children who had lost contact as he had moved to Marbella.
Especially welcome was the contact from an extremely well known Merseyside author who plans a fact finding mission to the Costa del Sol. His new book is to be based on the on the facts contained in these amazing sad, but true events.
It will highlight the dangers of losing touch with family members and will focus on the child’s perspective and”the missing years”. Any more information from Spain is still appreciated and thank you Olive Press!
I am sure it will be a number one best seller and look forward to the film.