Emotional tributes have been paid to a “gentle and kind” South London dad who died after a heroic battle with cancer.
Chris Geiles, 43, from South Norwood, Croydon first feared something was wrong after he started getting headaches and numbness in his right arm in late 2019.
A huge football fan, Chris played as a striker in his work’s football team. In January 2020, Chris headed the ball and started to feel dizzy and wasn’t able to speak. The dad-of-two was told he had a mild concussion, but he wasn’t happy with this diagnosis.
On January 28, 2020, his wife Tomomi’s birthday, the couple headed out for dinner to celebrate. While out, a migraine appeared out of nowhere and all of a sudden Chris’ vision was impaired.
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Chris will be hugely missed by his wife Tomomi after dying of a brain tumour last week
(Image: Tomomi Nagai Geiles)
Chris couldn’t feel his arm and started shaking uncontrollably. He was admitted to hospital and spent three weeks in the care of doctors.
On February 17, 2020, Chris was diagnosed with a grade-four glioblastoma brain tumour. He was shaken to the core – as was Tomomi and their two sons, five-year-old Kyle and Ryan, one.
Dealing with Chris’ treatment plan alongside the Covid-19 pandemic was difficult for his family, but Chris’ drive and determination remained until the very end.
Speaking to My London, Chris’s work colleague Lindsey Cox said: “Tomomi was unbelievable. How she cared for Chris, Kyle and Ryan and held down a full-time job is nothing short of amazing.”
In March 2021, Chris was given three months to live. His family and friends were devastated.
“He had fought so hard – battle after battle after battle. He had been scared, but always tried to think positive,” Lindsey, who had worked with Chris for the video game developer SEGA , where Chris had been for almost 21 years, said.
With his family by his side in his living room, Chris quietly passed away on Friday, August 6. He was 43.
Chris has been described as ‘gentle’ and ‘kind’ by those who knew him best
(Image: Tomomi Nagai Geiles)
“It still doesn’t feel real. For Tomomi, she hasn’t really had a chance to mourn. Between being a full-time mother and the new worry of bringing up two boys on her own, she hasn’t quite come to terms with things,” Lindsey said.
Since Chris died, tributes have poured in from those who knew him. He has been described as a “gentle soul” who was extremely “warm and approachable”.
One friend described him as “helpful, kind, thoroughly friendly and a great laugh” and a colleague said he was “one of the nicest and kindest guys I have ever worked with”.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Lindsey, and donations have been flooding in ever since. The original £10,000 goal was quickly surpassed and the GoFundMe page is now up to more than £25,000, proving how much Chris’ absence will be felt by those who knew him.
The money will cover funeral costs and will be vital in helping Tomomi and her children go ahead into their future without Chris.
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Tomomi believes it’s important to commemorate Chris for being the brilliant man he was, and hopes sharing her story will bring solace to other people who have lost partners in similar circumstances.
“I am really hoping that this will encourage someone who is fighting against illness for their family, and caring for a loved one with young children,” Tomomi said.
“I very much appreciate that Chris never gave up on his life and received all treatments which he could receive without complaining. He was very strong and I’m very happy that I could be his wife.
“Chris and I cannot thank Lindsey and SEGA enough. We really do not know how we could live without their support.”
The link to Chris Geiles’ GoFundMe page can be found here .
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