MAN, 44, DIES SUDDENLY DURING ANNIVERSARY HOLIDAY AFTER COUPLE HAD JUST BEGUN PLANNING THEIR WEDDING

Paulo Brockway, a 44-year-old father from Cardiff, died suddenly while on an anniversary holiday in Cyprus with his fiancée, just hours after the couple had been making plans to return to the island for their wedding.

Paulo and his fiancée, Kerry Debono, 47, had traveled to Cyprus to celebrate their third anniversary. What began as a romantic getaway filled with happy memories ended in tragedy when Paulo suddenly became seriously ill on the day the couple were due to fly home.

According to Kerry, Paulo had been feeling well during much of their holiday. The couple enjoyed time together on the beach and visited a famous love bridge, where they placed a padlock to mark their relationship.

During one of their final evenings together, Paulo reportedly told Kerry that Cyprus was the place where they should get married. The couple began discussing plans for a wedding there in 2027.

Neither expected that they would never make it home together.

HE SUDDENLY BECAME VERY ILL

On the morning of their scheduled flight home, Paulo began experiencing severe stomach pain.

Kerry initially bought medication from a local pharmacy, but Paulo’s condition quickly deteriorated. She eventually called an ambulance, and he was taken to hospital.

Doctors found that Paulo was suffering from severe pancreatitis, according to accounts from Kerry and reports citing her statements.

He later suffered cardiac arrest and died on September 17, just one day after becoming seriously ill. He was 44.

Kerry remained by his side during his final hours.

She later described the experience as devastating, particularly because they had been celebrating their anniversary only days earlier and were looking forward to their future together.

PAULO HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING STOMACH PAIN

Kerry said Paulo had experienced episodes of severe stomach pain before the holiday.

According to her account, the pain had begun toward the end of 2025 and would come and go. During some episodes, she said, he would sweat heavily and need to lie down because of the severity of the pain.

She said Paulo had visited his GP several times and had been given different possible explanations and treatments. At one point, he was admitted to hospital because of the pain but was later discharged after receiving pain relief.

He was reportedly waiting for a hospital scan when he traveled to Cyprus.

Kerry said there had been no indication to them that his condition was immediately life-threatening.

The reports do not establish an independent medical assessment of the earlier symptoms, so those details should be understood as Kerry’s account of what happened before the holiday.

THEY HAD BEEN PLANNING A FUTURE TOGETHER

Paulo and Kerry met through social media in Cardiff in September 2023.

After chatting online, they met for coffee and quickly became close. Kerry said the pair became inseparable and enjoyed traveling together.

Paulo proposed to Kerry on their first anniversary in September 2024.

The couple continued making plans for their future and had hoped to marry abroad in 2027.

Their Cyprus trip was intended to celebrate their third anniversary.

Instead, it became their final holiday together.

Kerry said the couple had been extremely happy during the trip and that Paulo was full of energy and excitement about their future.

She now keeps the key to the padlock they placed on the love bridge as a treasured reminder of their final days together.

A PASSION FOR MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Outside work and family life, Paulo had developed a strong passion for mountain climbing.

Kerry said that over the previous three years, he had taken up climbing and increasingly challenged himself to reach higher and more difficult peaks.

He also used some of his climbs to raise money for charitable causes.

According to the family’s fundraising page, climbing gave Paulo something to look forward to and brought him considerable happiness.

The fundraiser describes him as a man who was always looking toward the next challenge.

He also worked in construction and, according to Kerry, maintained an active lifestyle and regularly went to the gym.

HIS FAMILY IS NOW FACING AN UNEXPECTED LOSS

Paulo leaves behind his son, as well as his mother, sisters, brother and fiancée.

Kerry said his family has been devastated by his sudden passing, particularly because his death came so unexpectedly.

His mother, she said, has struggled to come to terms with losing her son.

Kerry also described Paulo as someone who had so much to live for and many plans still ahead of him.

FAMILY LAUNCHES FUNDRAISER FOR HIS FUNERAL

Because Paulo did not have life insurance, Kerry launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of his funeral.

The fundraiser says the funeral was expected to cost around £7,000.

The couple did have holiday insurance, which reportedly covered hospital expenses in Cyprus and the cost of repatriating Paulo’s body to Cardiff.

The fundraiser was created on September 19, with Kerry asking people to support the family and help give Paulo the farewell he deserved.

As of the latest available update, the campaign had raised approximately £2,490 from 82 donations toward a £3,000 online target.

“I WILL LOVE AND MISS YOU FOREVER”

For Kerry, the final memories of their Cyprus holiday have become especially precious.

Only days before Paulo became seriously ill, the couple had been enjoying their anniversary, talking about marriage and imagining their future together.

They had left Cyprus expecting to return home and continue building their life together.

Instead, Kerry returned without him.

Paulo Brockway was 44 years old.

His family and loved ones are now preparing to say goodbye to a man they describe as loving, active and full of plans for the future.