THE family of a New Waltham man who died after suffering a major heart attack on the way home from work have thanked all those who tried to save him.
Dave "Ecco" Ecclestone, 57, was driving along Estate Road 1 on South Humberside Industrial Estate, Grimsby, last Monday when he was taken ill.
Passers-by called for an ambulance and attempted CPR until paramedics arrived and they managed to get his heart beating again.
Dave was rushed to the intensive care unit at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital but failed to recover and passed away on Thursday.
His wife and best friend of 33 years, Diane, 54, and their sons, Chris, 33, Steve, 30, and Andy, 28, were by his side.
Andy, who is area manager for three local pubs and lives in Waltham, said: "It came as such a shock because dad had always lived life to the full.
"He was always the life and soul of the party and loved spending time with his family and friends.
"He was also a very thoughtful man and always put others before himself. I think that's why he came back from the heart attack to make things easier for all of us.
"I'm getting married in Cuba this August and I know he will be up there somewhere looking down on us."
Born in Bradford, Dave lived in Leeds until 1997 when he moved to North East Lincolnshire to follow a promotion at work.
He spent 27 years at BASF, formerly known as Ciba, and was on his way home from a night stint as shift manager when he suffered the heart attack.
Dave was a massive football fan and travelled around the world to games, including attending the last two World Cups in Germany and South Africa.
He supported both England and Leeds United and was also a fan of Rugby League, supporting the Leeds Rhinos.
Energy company salesman Steve, from Cleethorpes, added: "Dad loved going to games and we went with him a few times.
"He had a big group of friends who were England supporters and they got in touch to tell us they were having a drink in his memory at the World Cup Qualifiers in San Marino on Friday.
"He planned to go to the next World Cup in Rio and when it's on we will all be watching the games in his memory."
When he wasn't working or spending time with the family, Dave enjoyed having a drink at the Farmhouse and Harvest Moon pubs near his home in New Waltham.
Chris, of Humberston, who also works at BASF, said: "We would like to thank everybody who tried to help dad when he collapsed because they gave us a few days longer with him.
"The people who called the ambulance and gave him CPR, the paramedics who cared for him, the police and the doctors nurses at the hospital have all been fantastic.
"We can't thank them enough for everything they did."
Dave leaves behind six grandchildren – Chris' children with wife Ruth are Joshua, 12, Ethan, 7, and Paige, 1; Steve's sons with partner Jade are Cameron, 8, and Dylan, 4; and Andy's son with fiancée Jemma is Lukas, 2.
Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for details of the funeral arrangements.
