The family of an adored brother who was "the "life and soul of the party" have paid tribute to him after he was found dead at home. Gavin Florence, 32, was sadly found by friends at his flat in Flintshire on Friday October 21.
Gavin, who was a former forklift driver, nearly died last year after catching coronavirus and pneumonia. Before being hospitalised with the virus Gavin was a "fit and active young man" who "loved going to the gym, his family told NorthWalesLive. However, he had developed problems with his kidneys as a result.
His family say tests are being carried out to establish the exact cause of his death. Gavin's sister Rebecca said that while being treated at Wrexham hospital her brother was told he had just 50% chance of surviving.
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The 23-year-old said: "When he was in hospital the doctors told him he had a 50-50 chance of living. But when he was well-enough they sent him home. He got himself a job not long after.
"But he started complaining of back pain. It got to the point that he was having to crawl out of his flat and down the stairs because he couldn't walk because he was in so much pain." His family took him to the Countess of Chester Hospital and he learned that his kidneys were starting to fail, said Rebecca.
She said: "We took him to A&E and he refused to stay in A&E. So they gave us an appointment to come back four days later and then he stayed for a few days." He came home and was due to have a scan on his kidneys.
Rebecca said that her brother had started to complain about the pain again and a group of friends decided to visit his flat on Friday having not heard from Gavin in a few days.
Rebecca said: "They went into his flat at about 7pm and he said 'I'm feeling better'. But when they went back that night, that's when they had to break into the flat and they found him. They thought he was asleep but he'd passed.
"They phoned the police and the ambulance. At the minute there is no cause of death. They are just doing further testing."
She added: "He loved his food and he loved going to the gym. Gav was a very well-known lad and everybody loved him. He just clicked with everyone so quickly. He was like a big brother and a father figure to everyone. He always took people under his wing and looked after them.
"He was the life and soul of the party and he always had a smile on his face. You'd rarely see him without his hat or sunglasses."
Gavin was single but had had several godchildren who were "like his own children". They included Marley, Harper, Freddie and Joey. Rebecca said: "He was a father figure to his godchildren really, and to my son Noah, who is nearly two." Gavin was also devoted to his pet bulldog Boomer.
A GoFundMe appeal has now been started to help pay for Gavin's funeral and to erect a headstone in his memory. So far £4,000 has been made in donations To make a donation visit the gofundme page and search for Gavin Paul Florence. Or click on the link here.
Rebecca said: "Gavin was taken far to young. Any donation will be appreciated by his family and friends!"
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