Heartbroken family of factory worker look for answers after asbestos death

The family of Dennis Spruce believe he was exposed to asbestos while working at the Empire Works in Walthamstow

By Luke Donnelly

The family of a Walthamstow factory worker are heartbroken after he suddenly died from asbestos-related cancer. Joan Spruce, 76, husband of Dennis who died earlier this year aged 75, has appealed to his former workmates in an effort to find out how he came into contact with the asbestos that claimed his life.

Dennis Spruce, from Welwyn in Hertfordshire was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously. With the help of lawyers Irwin Mitchell, the family is looking to trace anyone who remembers Dennis from his time at The Micanite & Insulators Co Ltd factory based at the Empire Works in Walthamstow from 1965 until 1969.

He initially worked during this time as an electric worker, before starting as an apprentice process chaser at the firm’s Walthamstow plant, Dennis’ wife understands that he spent a lot of his time working with asbestos materials.

On December 2 last year Dennis was diagnosed with mesothelioma following several biopsies. He sadly passed away shortly afterwards on January 22. “Dennis’ mesothelioma diagnosis came as a complete shock to all of us," Joan said. "He’s always been so fit and well, that a cancer diagnosis was the last thing we expected.