A much-loved dad who wanted to die at home took his final breath just minutes after passing back through his front door. Fred had been in hospital with serious health problems for nine weeks when he was told he had just a fortnight to live.
As reported by Hull Live, the 61-year-old had a final wish - to pass away in his own home. After being taken to his house in a patient ambulance, he had to sit down and struggled to breathe.
His son, Ashley Butler performed CPR on him but was unable to save his dad. Fred was surrounded by his children - his greatest pride - when he died, as he had wanted.
Ashley recalled: "In his final moments my dad said, 'I’ve got my wish, I’m going, I can’t breathe.'"
Fred also said he was going to be reunited with his own dad, Ashley’s grandfather. Ashley said: “We weren’t expecting it to be so quick.
"I didn’t know where to put myself but I knew I had to do something. I didn’t have a clue what to expect when he passed. I don’t think it’s sunk in."
Fred, known locally for mowing people's lawns to help out, was a dad-of-four. He'd suffered with a combination of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, ischaemic heart disease, type two diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Fred's daughter, Amanda Butler, described her dad as a "fighter". He constantly had to wear a mask during his time in hospital to supply him with oxygen so he could breathe.
Ashley said that his dad’s lungs were dysfunctional. And it was painful to see his health deteriorate.
When the dad was told he only had two weeks left to live, he was determined to spend them with his children. Ashley said: “It was amazing to see how much energy he had. He tried to make us all laugh and smile.”
Years ago, Fred was told that he was not allowed to have chocolate anymore which "absolutely broke him" because it was his favourite treat, Ashley recalled.
But in Fred's final weeks, the doctors allowed him to eat chocolate again. Ashley added: “We absolutely spoiled him. It was unbelievable to see him so happy.”
Fred was well-known in Hull for dealing cars and his love of gardening, often mowing people's lawns for them. Ashley said: “He would give you his last penny if he could.
"He was a believer in working for himself and he did anything to get us fed. He was an amazing guy."
Born in Orchard Park, he brought up his own family there. In his later years, he moved to West Yorkshire and was treated in Bradford Royal Infirmary.
The family will bring Fred’s body back to Hull and spread his ashes. Amanda is trying to raise £1,500 for funeral costs. People can donate here.
