A much-loved dad-of-11 has died with Covid-19 just eight weeks after welcoming a newborn daughter into the world.
Garry Melia, from Southport, was a ‘devoted’ partner to Susan Caunce and was described as being ‘a lovely, caring man’ by his devastated family.
The popular DJ, carer and chef died on Monday night at Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool which specialises in treating heart and chest patients. He was 56-years old and had an identical twin, Kirk.
Friends have now set up a JustGiving page in order to help his partner and children.
Susan said: “It is with the biggest sadness that Garry passed away on Monday night.
“We are heartbroken as a family and no words can describe how we are feeling.
“We are going to be so lost without him and the pain will never go away.
“He was such a lovely caring family man and the best dad to all our children as well as a loving, devoted partner to myself.
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“He did his utmost to support us and keep us strong together as a family through the good times and bad. We were never without.
“He was also the best, hardest worker we have ever known, just for all his family.
“Let’s keep his memory alive. I just wish he could have carried on fighting to stay with us all.”
Garry and Susan, from Ainsdale in Southport, have 11 children between them, seven boys, and four girls. The eldest is 27, while the youngest addition to the family came just two months ago in the form of beautiful daughter Sienna, who is just eight weeks old.
Garry Melia, from Southport, has died with Covid-19. He is pictured with daughter Sienna, who is eight weeks old.
Photo copyright Susan Caunce
Garry worked as a DJ at The Wellington pub on Eastbank Street in Southport and The Oast House pub on Stanley Street in Southport. He also worked as a carer, and at Food4U, a Chinese takeaway in Ormskirk. He was also a qualified chef.
Susan said: “He felt poorly at home and then had a heart attack.
“It all happened suddenly. He felt ill prior to that but he didn’t know he had coronavirus.
“He then went to the heart and chest hospital in Broadgreen where they tested him positive for coronavirus.
“He was taken by Covid-19 after a heart attack and having underlying conditions he did not know about.
“He struggled and depended on a ventilator and was in there for a week before he died.
“We weren’t allowed into the hospital on the night he passed. Only one person was allowed to go so my daughter Katie went.
“She played the Tom Jones song I’ll Never Fall In Love Again and told him we all love him.
“We have just found out he had pneumonia too.
“Garry was the son of Pat and Billy and a beloved brother to his siblings, one of whom was an identical twin, Kirk.
Garry Melia, from Southport, has died with Covid-19. He is pictured with his twin brother, Kirk.
Photo copyright Susan Caunce
“Garry had a passion in life as a singer. He was a resident DJ in The Wellington pub in Southport and also worked at The Oast House.
“He was a very hard worker and was family-orientated and gave his children the best he possibly could.
“He was much-loved and had lots of friends and family. He will be sadly missed.
“It is a shame under the circumstances that we will be limited to numbers at the graveside and the service, but we will do it.
“I would like to thank the NHS staff for looking after Garry and would like people to keep Garry’s memory alive for who he was.”
A JustGiving page has now been set up by Lisa Humphreys to raise money for Garry’s family.
She said: “This devastating story brings things currently happening in the world into perspective.
Garry Melia, from Southport, has died with Covid-19. He is pictured with partner Susan Caunce.
Photo copyright Susan Caunce
“We represent a local care company with 95 staff looking after over 150 people.
“Tragically one of our carers, Garry Melia, who had joined our ranks to fight the silent killer and look after vulnerable people, quite suddenly and tragically passed away on Monday night.
“Whilst this in itself is a desperate situation, Garry’s daughter, Katie, is also one of our carers and a friend of my family.
“Katie was called into the hospital having completed a full shift with our care company as a family representative, because her mother has an eight week old baby along with other siblings.
“The recent arrival has added to the heavy family expenditure and Garry had joined the care company to supplement his family’s income, whilst his other job as a karaoke entertainer was locked down due to the pandemic.
“None of the family have been able to visit or contact their father in hospital, personally or over the phone as he had not regained consciousness.
“Gary was a friend to everybody, a father to those most important to him along with being a perfect example of how to raise and support a loving family.
“He will be sadly missed by everybody and we are looking to raise a modest sum to assist primarily with costs through this tough time and ongoing support with the family when the virus is hitting hard. Thank you.
“Rest in peace Garry, you will be missed.”
