Unexpected death of '˜beloved' pub owner

Brodie Dawson, 46, died suddenly after returning from holiday with his partner Sara Edson just days before.

His partner of three and a half years, Sara, said: “I have a lot of lovely memories of him, we actually had just come back from holiday in Greece. We got back the Thursday before he died. I feel very lucky that we did that and I have those memories before his unexpected death.”

Sara and Brodie took over the pub in October this year.

Sara said that running pubs was Brodie’s forte and he had a knack of turning a pub around and making it popular.

Brodie had worked in many places within the pub trade, including London and Dorking, but met Sara at the Evening Star in Brighton, where she worked for 12 years.

Speaking of Brodie, Sara said: “He was kind, loving, caring, funny, full of stories and generous. He was a huge sports fanatic, into rugby, cricket and football, he supported Crystal Palace. He loved cryptic crosswords and did one a day.”

The Duke of Wellington, Brighton Road, closed last Tuesday and played no music on the Friday and Saturday night.

However, on Sunday the pub had an afternoon of music and ‘mayhem’ to celebrate Brodie’s life.

The Duke of Wellington’s Facebook page is full of memories and tributes to the landlord.

In one comment, Vic Edgehead, wrote: “Brodie had a tremendous impact on my life and the lives of everyone he came into contact with. He had perfected the art of running pubs such that every pub he ran became the place to drink in whichever town it was located. Every customer was made to feel special, the beer was tended to with genuine care, and whether he was cooking or not, the kitchens always ran efficiently and the food was always glorious. I’d always assumed he was indestructible and so this is doubly shocking, but the memories he’s created in the minds of so many people who knew him are strong enough to keep his spirit alive.”

The funeral will be Thursday, October 17, at Downs Crematorium, Hartington Road, Brighton.