ELLIOT JAMES BRANSBY
Marching On In Heaven - Forever 30
'One of the greatest love stories I ever heard about.'
Rabbi Shalom Kupperman
Marching on in heaven, forever 30 💙💛
Written by Debbie Ben Ami
Here we go, with Elliot Bransby,
Remembering all the happy times.
Thank you for 30 years of laughter,
And for being a light in our lives.....Na-na-na
Everyday, nothing is the same,
We miss you El, El, El.
Everyday, in our hearts you remain,
We love you El, El, El.
Marching on in heaven,
Singing the same old song,
Na-na-na-na-na-na
Loved by everyone,
At peace, forever young,
We love you El, El, El.
We've been through it all together,
And we've had our ups and downs,
Beloved son, grandson, cherished forever,
Even after the world stops spinning round... Na-na-na
Everyday, watching over us,
We miss you El, El, El
Everyday, lighting the way,
We love you El, El, El.
Marching on in heaven,
Your gonna see us smile
Na na na na na na
You'll be so proud,
We'll shout it out loud,
We love you El, El, El.
ELLIOT JAMES BRANSBY
His story
This website is dedicated to a most incredible man, Elliot James Bransby... the Mensch!
Elliot was born on 22 May 1989 at St James Hospital, Leeds, and claimed his wings on Saturday 16 November 2019, Elli was just 30 years of age.
On this site, you are invited to send us your memories, stories of how Elliot made a difference to you and this world.
Photos will be added, but if you've got any that you'd like to share, please feel free to send them.
Life will never be the same without Elli, and this site with the slogan, 'Marching On In Heaven - Forever 30' is a celebration of his all too short life...
ALL LEEDS AREN'T WE
Friday 17 July 2020, is a day that will go down in history. Huddersfield Town beat West Brom 2 - 1, and that result secured promotion the Premier League for Leeds United after 16 long years. Then the following day when Stoke beat Brentford 1-0, that was it, Leeds United would be promoted as CHAMPIONS!
So whilst thousands of Leeds fans celebrated, me (David) cried his heart out! Sure I was delighted, but my tears were for Elliot, as he wasn't with me to enjoy the moment, the very moment he lived for.
I had this drawing created just for Elliot, I think he would approve.
March on in heaven darling.
ALEX & ELLI
ETERNAL LOVE
I would like to take this opportunity to also thank everyone for all their support over what has been one of the worst periods of my life. Donna, David, Steph, Emma and Chelsea have been my rocks, always been at the end of the phone, providing me with unconditional love, support and kindness and I will be eternally grateful.
Now to Elliot, you were such a big part of my life for such a long time and I still cannot get to grips that you are no longer by my side. From the 10th May 2014 when we had our first date, where when we were saying our goodbyes my car wouldn’t start, instead of going you stayed with me whilst I waited for the AA to arrive. Safe to say I have had my fair share of car troubles since then. Moving onto 22nd May 2014, also you’re birthday, when you spent longer than usual in the toilet before asking me to be your girlfriend as you told me you were nervous.
You were one of the only people who were constantly by my side, always pushing me to be the best I can be and to strive for my dreams. You were there for me when I was at my lowest point, and celebrated with me at both my graduations. You were the biggest pain in the arse, wind up merchant and annoying person there is, but I would give anything to have you here winding me up on a daily basis.
We may have had our ups, downs, conflicts and disagreements over the course of the relationship, but doesn’t every relationship. Then there is football, safe to say we had our fair share of banter, me being a big Manchester United fan, and Elliot being a sad Leeds Fan. He used to enjoy coming to match days with me and sitting in the pub with me and my football friends. Sang the odd United song at times with us all.
Then the dreaded day where my life changed forever, seeing the person you love with all your heart, collapse in front of you, and you try all you can to save him is the worst thing that anyone could ever go through. The flashbacks are horrendous, the pain of the heartbreak is unbearable, and I just miss you so much, and so badly wish you were still here.
Thank you everyone once again for all your support, all your messages of well wishes. I honestly appreciate every word, and they mean the world to me. Donna and David has shown me so much love, support and care over this horrendous time, that I wouldn’t be still living today without them.
Finally Elliot, I will always love you to the day I die, you’re always in my thoughts and prayers and I miss you so terribly much. I hope you are now in a better place up there, and enjoying the next life with your grandparents.
All my love,
Rest in Peace my angel.
MOTHER & SON
I too would like to acknowledge and take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all my dear family and friends, including a Gary who is my rock, and who are still supporting me following the untimely and tragic passing of Elliot, number one son.
At this time I would also like to add my sincere thanks to Alby, Rabbi Daniel Levy, and all at UHC Shadwell Lane for their support, kindness and compassion during this time. I too want to thank the LJWB for their support and caring ways.
How does one move on from this unbearable pain and ache in one’s heart you may ask - all I know is that you simply take each day as it comes and remember all the good times and special moments spent together. The loss of a child changes everything you hold dear.
I have been reading a book given to me by David called ‘Finding Bear in the Afterlife’ which is a story of a mum’s loss and healing.
Each night I go to sleep clutching his Leeds United woolly hat, and I wear his watch too. It feels I am closer to him. Most nights he comes to me in my dreams and I cherish each and every second.
I have also witnessed many interesting and wonderful tricks, to want of a better way since Elliot has passed. I will tell you for example :- The hot tap in the bathroom turns on full blast, the moving of my slippers during the night to wake up and find them at the bottom of the bed, all these is so comforting, as is finding white feathers close by. Some people find this perhaps scary but I do not, I want to see more, feel more.
All I can say is how lucky we were in having Elliot in our lives. The love given and received was phenomenal. He was our very special angel, the most loving caring sweet natured kind person you could ever meet. He overcame many obstacles in his short and precious life. Elliot will always and forever be in our hearts and prayers.
Thank you once again to you all for being there while I continue this heart-breaking journey.
Before I close, I would like Alex to know this, that Elli, and in his own words wrote the following, “I love Alex to the moon and back. She is my absolute world, and couldn’t be without her”.
Elliot darling, may your dear sweet soul rest in peace, and until we meet again, I love you so much.
FATHER & SON
On a personal note…
I would like to acknowledge those who have helped, and are continuing to help me during this hideous upstream journey. My sister Helen, brother Martin and their families have been, and continue to be an immense source of both practical and emotional support.
Together in deep grief with Donna, we will forever treasure 30 incredible years with our special angel. With Alexandra, Elliot blossomed, and found a love that brought joy and happiness to their lives.
My Helen, has always been there for me with a shoulder to cry on, and a comforting hand to hold.
Paul at the Leeds Jewish Welfare Board, Rabbi Kupperman, Alby & Rabbi Daniel Levy for allowing me to express my deep grief. The kindness of everyone at UHC Shadwell Lane and the compassion shown to me by MP will never be forgotten.
To you, my dear friends and family who have checked on me, and sent messages of condolence and support, thank you.
I have been ripped apart by grief, and I miss Elliot more than words can possibly describe. We had a unique bond, a deep-rooted and unbreakable friendship. We were father & son and best mates, all rolled into one. I feel empty and lost without him. I love and miss him desperately.
In the words of Michael Buble, 'I feel just like I'm living someone else's life, it's like I just stepped outside when everything was going right'.
My healing has been taken on to a new level from reading, Grieving Dad by Mark Seidman. In his inspirational book, Mark writes about surviving and healing the loss of your child. A first-hand account of being a member of the club that no dad ever wants to be a member of. It’s through Mark’s inspiring words and mind training, that I have created this website in the first place, mirroring the one that he created for his dear son Eric. Mark’s relationship with Eric, was similar in so many ways to mine with Elliot.
I acknowledge Eric too, when his singled out the words from Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom.
“As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still here. All the memories are still there. You live on—in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here. Death ends a life, not a relationship.”
My love and thanks to you all x
