Bachelor Mr. John Edward Fox's life fell apart following his brother's death.

He lost his job and his home. And as he turned to drink his character changed.

His death came on June 2 when he was found in Par-La-Ville Park. He was 50.

The tragic tale of Mr. Fox was told at the inquest yesterday into his death.

Consultant pathologist at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Dr. John Winwick said Mr. Fox died from acute alcoholic poisoning.

Dr. Winwick said tests showed Mr. Fox had 637 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. He was pronounced dead on his arrival at hospital.

A verdict of death by misadventure was recorded by Coroner Wor. John Judge.

He said no one could fail to be moved by the "sad tale''.

Miss Maurita Richardson, 14, of Pembroke, told how she had seen Mr. Fox on the day of his death. She saw him at about 5.15 p.m. while walking through Par-La-Ville Park. He was on the ground under the verandah of the library.

"His complexion looked darker than usual,'' she said, reading from her statement to Police. She added Mr. Fox smelt of alcohol, and appeared to be asleep.

Mr. Fox was surrounded by people he knew, who told her: "He is just drunk.'' "I thought nothing of it,'' Miss Richardson said.

She added she went to her uncle's house, where someone later called to report Mr. Fox was dead. "I immediately called for an ambulance.'' Miss Richardson said she returned to the park and saw Mr. Fox in the same position, with alcohol coming out of his mouth.

She added she had known Mr. Fox for three years. He was a regular visitor to Par-La-Ville Park.

Park caretaker Mr. Manuel DeConto said he saw Mr. Fox at about 7.30 p.m. while closing up. "I thought he was sleeping.''.

Mr. DeConto said shortly afterwards he told Mr. Fox: "Come on John, I want to close the gates.'' "I felt for a pulse and could feel nothing. I went to another caretaker's house.'' The death was investigated by P.c. Michael Redfern, who said Mr. Fox was born on February 30, 1943, and had never married. He had no children.

His last address was Parsons Road and since then he had lived rough in Par-La-Ville Park.

P.c. Redfern added Mr. Fox had last had a job as a golfcart attendant at Mid Ocean Club. He was described as a "hard worker''.

P.c. Redfern said Mr. Fox's brother, Robert had died in a car accident. "He never recovered from the death of Robert, which resulted in him going through a character change, and being no longer reliable.

"He lost his job in 1981, and after his brother's death deteriorated to the point where he had no fixed address.'' P.c. Redfern said Mr. Fox never had a full-time job again. "Until the death of his brother he was a hard working, responsible person.

"As a result of his brother's death he declined mentally and physically.''