Following the sad death of our Executive Director of Finance, Gary Boothby, who died on 3rd February 2026, we have set up this virtual message board where you can write your own personal memories and tributes.
Many colleagues across the Trust will have worked with Gary during his ten years of service at CHFT. Gary was kind, warm and generous, and always very approachable. He built lasting relationships with everyone he worked with, and his loss will be felt deeply across the organisation, particularly within the finance team.
You can add to this message board until 31st March 2026 when we will then share it with Gary’s wife, Treena, and his three children, Harry, Alice and Archie. Our thoughts are with them, and with all colleagues who are affected by this very sad news.
Please be aware that your comment may not show immediately. This site is monitored Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm. Thank you for your contributions.
"I worked with Gary at CHFT before I moved to Liverpool. He was a lovely wise man who gave you confidence to achieve whatever you wanted. He always had a kind word and joke and I know he will truly missed by all who had the pleasure and privilege of knowing him.
My heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends."
shared by Helen Wells, 6 hours ago
"Gary was the last DoF I worked for prior to my retirement and the saying ‘saving the best till last’ was indeed the case. Gary was always interested in you as a person, not just a work colleague. He always made time to talk whether it was a conversation relating to work, family or football. Following my retirement, out of the blue, Gary would take time out to drop me messages to find out how things were going, asking about family etc. Gary was a kind, generous and caring gentle giant.
I would like to take this opportunity to send my heartfelt condolences to Gary’s family at this very sad time.
Gary R.I.P"
shared by Betty Sewell, 7 hours ago
"Gary what a true gentleman!!!
He always had time for you, either a brew or to perch on the end of your desk for a chat.
A massive loss to the Trust & Finance Dept.
My thoughts are with his family at this unbelievably sad time!!!!!"
shared by Catherine Cannon, 7 hours ago
"I had the pleasure of first meeting Gary, with his signature smile, when he came for his interview for the Deputy DoF role in 2016. What a lovely, kind and genuine person. A brilliant boss who always had time for people, supporting them as much as they were supporting him. He was a true gentleman for whom I had the greatest respect. How lucky we in Finance were to know Gary and be a part of his team. It cannot be underestimated how deeply his loss will be felt and my thoughts are with his family and all those who knew him. Rest in peace, Gary."
shared by Judith Cruickshank, 7 hours ago
"Such sad news, Gary was the genuine article. Down to earth, funny and helpful. My condolences go out to his family and friends, he will be missed!"
shared by Charlotte Henson, 8 hours ago
"What a person and what a loss. I first met Gary about 6 years ago, when I started with CHS. He was so friendly and helpful, giving me clear guidance on my most basic question. (and I had many). I remember my induction conversation with Gary, from the outset, he was hospitable, welcoming and made as much time for me as I needed. He was never judgemental, always supportive and encouraging, and whenever I had a question for him since, he never changed in his approach. He will be missed."
shared by Mark Adderley, 8 hours ago
"Gary, what a truly lovely gentleman, an inspirational leader, brave and humorous. He genuinely cared and that shone through in everything he did. He always had time for you, would pull up a chair for a chat, or perch on the end of your desk. He was so down to earth and easy to chat to despite his DoF role. I’ll never forget the Teams calls during the early days of Covid checking in with us that we were okay despite his own challenges at the time.
My thoughts are with his family I can only imagine the loss they are feeling.
He's irreplaceable, one in a million."
shared by Sarah McMahon, 8 hours ago
"What a kind and compassionate man. Friendly and approachable and always had time to chat whilst making his cuppa or about finance queries we may have had despite his position. His good humour never failed him, even when i saw him sat outside Primark in Leeds waiting for his wife and daughter to do their shopping he had a smile on his face and time for a joke. He really will be missed."
shared by Emma Griffiths, 10 hours ago
"Words I would use when thinking about Gary: A gentleman, kind, caring, compassionate, articulate, professional, friendly and very approachable. Whenever Gary was over in Trust Offices at Calderdale he'd always find time to nip in to my office for a catch-up. When the husband of a mutual friend of mine and Gary's passed away, Gary was the first person to send me an email, not only to express his condolences, but to offer support - anything I needed, I just had to let him know. Thankfully, I still have that email. Whatever was thrown Gary's way in terms of his health, he dealt with admirably. His passing has left a HUGE hole, not only in the organisation, but in the lives of every single person who knew him, such a sad loss. May he now rest in peace. My thoughts are with his family - I cannot start to imagine what they are going through, but I hope they take comfort from the outpouring of love for their husband and father, a very special man."
shared by Sue Laycock, 11 hours ago
"Worked with Gary at Pennine, then Mid Yorks and CHFT - although Gary would no doubt have said given I was at the SHA, TDA, NHSI and NHSE that he was the one doing the work and I was the one checking up on his work! A genuinely nice bloke who you could always have a laugh with. My sincerest thoughts are with his family."
shared by Stephen Downs, 23 hours ago
"I first met Gary at Pennine Acute around 15 years ago before he moved back to work in Yorkshire. He was a pleasure to be around and made an impact that made me happy to meet up with him again around 5 years later when we both came to CHFT around the same time. A lovely man who commanded respect but had time for everybody. Of course we talked football with our rival other side of the Pennines teams but it was all fun and his calm nature in meetings was the attitude I liked to see. We had a lovely chat just before Christmas about the changing nature of the Boards at NHS organisations where we agreed it was for the better and I will miss him around and his gentle disposition. Gary you are such a great loss take care mate."
shared by Peter Keogh, 1 day ago
"I’m finding it really hard to deal with a loss like this. It hits me in the smallest moments, the tea cakes and huge sandwich box in the fridge, even when I clean my glasses the way we both did every morning. We used to stand there talking about the excitement of becoming grandparents and beloved uncles, laughing about being tight Yorkshire men, and tackling the odd finance question that Gary somehow always made easy for me to understand.
Now it just feels like something is missing. One of the good ones has gone. Loss is eternal, and I know the days will slowly get easier, but you can tell the measure of a man by how deeply he’s missed. And we all feel this one.
A true legend, I’d say."
shared by Richard Hill, 1 day ago
"What can I say about Gary? He was by far the best DoF I’ve ever worked with (sorry Ian if you read this !) He was a gentle giant of a man, so kind and thoughtful. Without fail, he’d ask how I was doing, even after I’d retired and popped into Acre Mills.
When he surprised me on a Teams call with his NG tube in, we took it in our stride and ended up comparing fortisip flavours.
I loved his friendly way of perching on the window sill by my desk to ask a question about the charity.
Another lasting memory is when we had our first Finance get together in Briar Court after Covid/WFH and he made a speech where he said we should be proud of our team and that we do a great job. It was so heartfelt from him and I remember being quite teary at the time.
You will be so very missed, Gary xx"
shared by Carol Harrison, 1 day ago
"I was lucky enough to work with Gary through organ donation. He helped us not just with our local teaching sessions but also happily shared his story further afield. When he talked to us in that room about the difference that organ donation had made to him he was as ever witty, caring and always making light of the health challenges that he faced. A genuinely warm,caring and conscientious colleague. We'll miss him."
shared by Paul Knight, 1 day ago
"I have had the pleasure of knowing Gary for 10 years and after leaving finance a couple of years ago he welcomed me back with open arms in December again, telling me not to leave again.
Gary was such a kind, thoughtful and caring person and has been the best DoF the Trust has had. He would treat everyone with respect and kindness irrespective of what their title or role was, he would get to know you as a person which is why this sad news has hit so many of us very hard.
There aren't many people in his position that would come and perch on your desk to ask about how your weekend was or how the family is, he was just a total gentleman and will be missed greatly.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Garys family at this sad and difficult time x"
shared by Rhonda Cash, 1 day ago
"My Friend Gary
When we think about Gary the words ‘what a lovely man’ immediately spring to mind.
Some of us have had the pleasure of working with Gary for all his time at CHFT and some for not so long.
Yes, he was our Director of Finance but before that he was a kind and caring boss. No matter what life was throwing at him he always cared how you were and what he could do to help.
He was always there with ‘lets get a brew’ or a thank you card or a surprise delivery or a note when you were not too well.
Words cannot explain how much he was admired and respected and appreciated for the great leader he was.
He knew so much and would also ask questions and be genuinely interested in why things were as they were, asking the question, so what can we do differently to improve care for patients?
Gary was CHFT and we knew we were treasured by him.
His sayings will stick for ever, ‘back up the bus’, ‘crack on’, do you want a brew’. ‘sometimes it’s just the right thing to do’, ‘just keep doing what we do’.
As a Senior Finance Team, we are extremely close, and this was testament to him. We all wanted to do our best and succeed for Gary. Our Monday afternoon meetings always had an element of fun in them and what was going on in our lives.
In short Gary was a friend primarily who had all our respect as our Director of Finance, and no one will ever be able to fill his shoes. Life will never be the same and you have left a great legacy for those new budding accountants. If as a senior team and me as a friend can mentor and mould as you have for the future, I hope you will be immensely proud.
On a very personal note, you have always been my inspiration, a trusted ear, an amazing friend when my life has had its tough times and someone I will always hold dear to my heart.
Relax now my friend and let the pain flow away.
Your friend Jo"
shared by Joanne Hardcastle, 1 day ago
"Gary was one of the most approachable and friendly people I have met.
Not only was he a work colleague, our sons also played for the same junior football team too. We had many a discussion about football on a Saturday morning up at an often cold and windy New College, and we had a great banter despite both supporting Teams who were big rivals!
Will be greatly missed by so many."
shared by Daniel Hawtin, 1 day ago
"So sad to hear the news of Gary passing, my thoughts are with his family. I had the pleasure of attending a lot of meetings with Gary over 4 years and always found him to be patient and extremely helpful. His knowledge will be greatly missed at CHFT."
shared by Linzi Smith, 1 day ago
"Gary was such a lovely kind and friendly person. The best DoF I have ever worked with and I will miss him. He always made time to take my call or offer helpful advise when I was struggling. I learned so much from him , both from listening and observing him chairing a challenging meeting , where he would make sure everyone's opinion was heard and help navigate throgh to a sensible solution and also the wise words he shared on how to write a successful business case . He is, and will continue to be, missed greatly."
shared by Elisabeth Street, 1 day ago
"I have worked alongside Gary for nearly 10 years and right now I feel like Robin without Batman or Morecambe without Wise. That's apt as Gary had wisdom in abundance, along with intelligence and a real sense of calm. He was a really honourable man and a friend to all that he met. He was able to find something in common with everyone, whether talking about football, family or work. He was also really brave, handling life's challenges with humour, often with a hilarious self-depreciating anecdote. Gary will be missed by many."
shared by Kirsty Archer, 4 days ago
"Gary was a giant in so many ways and an example to all of us as to what a decent, good, loving and selfless human being is.
To say Gary will be much missed doesn’t come close. They just don’t make men like Gary any more."
shared by Leo McKenna, 4 days ago
"Gary was truly one-of-a-kind. He had the natural ability to put someone at ease, just by being in the room. I will miss his friendly face, his calm manner and the warmth he exuded to all. Your day would be lighter just by having had a conversation with Gary. My condolences to Treena and the children - he was an incredible person."
shared by Amy Campbell, 4 days ago
"So sorry to hear this very sad news and our condolences to Gary's family, friends and colleagues. Such a nice person, good humoured, engaging to be around, positive and an inspiration to all, he will be really missed."
shared by Stuart Shaw, 4 days ago
"I have never worked in the same team as Gary but worked alongside him; first as deputies and then as Directors of Finance. When I first became a director myself I asked Gary to be my “buddy”. He was the one person I knew I could ask the daft questions and he wouldn’t judge. And he always checked in with me if he thought I was struggling or quieter than normal.
I will miss him hugely. He is one of the kindest and most genuine people I have met and I feel privileged to have worked alongside him."
shared by Amy Whitaker, 4 days ago