The conclusion from the massive drama that happened when Ledger announced the Recover option was--and someone please correct me if I'm mistaken--that regardless of whether you have a subscription to the Recover, the secure element in the device allows the company to gain access to your private keys, and that was never ever disclosed before.  If you're dabbling with small amounts of crypto, you're probably going to be OK even if something catastrophic happened with Ledger, but I would not trust them at all.

The device itself might hold more sentimental value to you, as it was your brother's, and for that reason alone I'd hold onto it regardless of whether you're going to use it as a wallet.  I don't know you, but I'm sorry for your loss.