BRITISH DAD, 44, DIES OF HEART ATTACK ON ANNIVERSARY HOLIDAY IN CYPRUS AS FIANCÉE FACES HEARTBREAKING TASK OF BRINGING HIM HOME

A British father has died suddenly during an anniversary holiday in Cyprus, just one day after he was due to fly home with his fiancée.

Paulo Brockway, 44, had been enjoying a special trip with his fiancée, Kerry Debono, when tragedy struck on the very day the couple were preparing to return to the UK.

Paulo suffered a heart attack and died from complications the following day, September 17, leaving his loved ones facing the devastating task of bringing his body back to Cardiff.

Kerry has now launched a fundraiser to help cover the costs of Paulo’s funeral and repatriation after revealing that he did not have life insurance.

‘I AM DEVASTATED AND WILL MISS HIM TERRIBLY’

In a heartbreaking tribute shared through the fundraising appeal, Kerry said the couple had travelled to Cyprus to celebrate their anniversary.

“Sadly, my fiancé Paulo Brockway fell ill the day we were due to fly home,” she wrote.

“He passed away the following day, on 17th September. He was just 44 years old.

“I am devastated and will miss him terribly.”

Paulo’s death has left behind a grieving son, as well as his mother, sisters and brother.

His family said they were left in shock after what had been a happy holiday suddenly turned into a tragedy.

Family member Emma Mills described Paulo and Kerry as having been enjoying the holiday they deserved before his sudden health collapse.

She said the family was “absolutely heartbroken and in complete shock” after Paulo became unwell just as they were preparing to come home.

A PASSION FOR MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Over the last three years of his life, Paulo had developed a strong passion for mountain climbing.

According to Kerry, climbing had become something Paulo loved deeply, particularly because he was able to use the challenge to raise money for charity and help other people.

She said he was always looking ahead to the next challenge and hoping to reach an even bigger mountain.

The hobby had brought him considerable happiness and given him something to work toward.

“He climbed mountains for charity, raising money to help others,” Kerry wrote in the fundraiser.

“The challenge of each climb gave him something to look forward to — always wanting to reach the next, bigger mountain.”

FAMILY AND FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE

News of Paulo’s death has also prompted tributes from people in his wider Cardiff community.

The Cardiff-based podcast The Central Club paid tribute following the news, writing: “Rest in peace Paul.”

For Kerry, however, the immediate priority is bringing her fiancé home.

His body is expected to be repatriated from Cyprus to Cardiff within seven to 10 days, allowing the family to begin making arrangements for his funeral.

FUNDRAISER LAUNCHED TO BRING PAULO HOME

Kerry’s fundraiser initially set a target of £3,000, while the overall cost of Paulo’s funeral is expected to be around £7,000.

She explained that Paulo did not have life insurance, leaving the family facing significant unexpected expenses at an already devastating time.

The appeal had received hundreds of pounds in donations and was continuing to receive support from people wanting to help the family give Paulo a farewell. The fundraiser page currently lists £930 raised from 24 donations toward its £3,000 target, although other reports have cited a figure of more than £1,300 as donations continued to come in.

Kerry said every contribution would help the family during an incredibly difficult period.

“Any donation, no matter how small, would mean so much to us and would help us give Paulo the farewell he deserves,” she wrote.

As the family waits to bring Paulo home to Cardiff, Kerry ended her tribute with a final message to the man she had planned to return home with after their anniversary celebration.

“I will love and miss you forever, Paulo,” she wrote.

“Forever your broken-hearted fiancée, Kerry.”