A "devoted" grandad from Sheffield's Gleadless Valley has died from mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer, prompting his family to appeal for former colleagues to come forward. Roger Knightley, 84, worked in refurbishment for decades before being diagnosed, and his daughters have instructed specialist lawyers to investigate how he was exposed, since employers have long had a legal duty to protect workers from asbestos, including at third-party sites. The case highlights how asbestos exposure decades earlier can lead to fatal illness long after the fact.

Roger worked at J F Finnegan & Co (Sheffield) Ltd on Ecclesall Road between 1961 and 2005, carrying out refurbishment at various sites including Weston Hospital. He first developed shortness of breath in 2022, was investigated in November 2023, diagnosed with cancer in July 2024, and died in July 2025. His daughters, Emma Knightley and Helen Hamston, described him as a keen runner who took part in Graves Park parkrun every week, as well as a skilled artist and joiner; lawyers from Irwin Mitchell are asking anyone with information about his work to contact them on 0114 274 4650 or via email.