Family, friends and colleagues said they have been left ‘devastated and empty’ following the sudden death of a popular GP, aged 45.
Dr Robert Grayson helped run the Great Harwood Medical Group, based at the new health centre, and the High Street surgery in Rishton, serving more than 8,000 people.
The GP’s father is Rishton councillor Harry Grayson, who said he had suffered an aneurysm and passed away on Thursday, September 10. He leaves wife Kirsty, son Dominic, 12, daughter Georgina, 14, stepson Dermot, 13 and stepdaughter Kiera, 11.
Kirsty, who lived with Rob in Chatburn, said: “He was my world, I’m left lost. We are left devastated and empty. He was the most intelligent man I have ever known.
“He was a great father to our children and it was ‘our’ children, as he accepted his stepchildren as his own from day one unquestioned.
“Rob was also ‘married’ to his patients and looked after many people through the end of life.
“We as his family accepted that care he gave to his ‘other’ family was just as important to him. He was a great teacher to the kids. The children and my only comfort is he didn’t suffer. I was with him when he passed over.”
Harry Grayson said his son will be ‘sadly missed’.
He said: “The family are quite in bits really. It was very sudden.
“We have really been overwhelmed with the response from the community in both Rishton and Great Harwood and the medical fraternity, as he was much revered.
“He didn’t boast at all. He was so dedicated to his cause and it’s a sad loss. He saved many lives.
“We have taken strength that he didn’t suffer. He will be sadly, sadly missed.”
Great Harwood councillor Noordad Aziz, who was one of Dr Grayson’s patients, said his death was a ‘great loss to the town’.
He said: “He was a well-liked, great man who was absolutely fantastic at his job. It’s come as a complete shock to me. It’s so sad that he has died at such a relatively young age. He was in his prime.
“He always went beyond the call of duty to help. He spoke to you like a friend and not like a doctor. He was considered part of Great Harwood’s soul and one of our own.”
Dr Grayson was born and educated in Rishton and was the longest serving partner of Great Harwood Medical Group, joining in 2005.
Sarah Lord, practice manager, said he will be ‘sadly missed by everyone who met him, or was treated by him’.
She said: “Rob was committed to the health and wellbeing of his patients and the local community he lived in and served.
“He was very highly thought of amongst his colleagues and patients and his loss will be felt greatly throughout the community. Not only was Rob a highly experienced and very hard working doctor, his dedication to his patients was renowned.
“Our thoughts and condolences go to Rob’s family whom he loved so very much”.
Blackburn Coroners Court said the death was by natural causes. A funeral service was due to take place at St Bartholomew’s Church in Great Harwood at 12noon on Thursday, September 17.
Donations in his memory to the British Heart Foundation c/o Sarah Lord at the Great Harwood Medical Group.
