A South Shields pharmacy delivery driver has been described as an 'absolute diamond' after he passed away just 17 days after his stepson.
Frank Ebdon, 61, had a cardiac arrest at his home in South Shields on Friday morning. Originally from Castletown in Sunderland, Frank leaves behind his wife of seven years Angie, daughter Jackieline, three grandchildren and five step-grandchildren.
He also had a twin sister, Carol, and four more siblings, Hazel, Susan, John and David. Frank's death comes just 17 days after his stepson Andrew Brady died, with Frank's wife and stepdaughter "devastated" at the prospect of organising two funerals so close to one another.
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Alyson Vaughan, Frank's stepdaughter, said her mam has "lost her rock" during an already harrowing situation. Just four weeks ago, Frank had had a heart attack and had stents fitted at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Alyson said: "I don't think his heart had time to recover because he was making sure my mam was alright after she'd just lost her son. He was the kindest man with the softest heart, he was generous and he'd do anything for anybody.
"All he wanted to do was make sure everyone was alright, he was a nice genuine guy and didn't have one bad bone in his body."
"Granda Frankie" and Angie were also guardians for nine-year-old Kristen, Angie's granddaughter and Frank's step-granddaughter. Alyson continued: "Frank absolutely adored Kristen, he idolised her and took her everywhere.
"He was a lovely husband, a lovely stepdad to us, an amazing granddad to my children and an amazing friend. I can't stress enough how much the man was amazing, it is so, so unfair.
Frank was well known in South Tyneside due to his rounds working as a delivery driver for a local pharmacy. Alyson continued: "Everyone he worked with and worked for absolutely loved him, the patients he delivered to did as well, at Christmas time he got loads of cards and tips because nothing was a bother for him."
His stepdaughter finished: "The only comfort me and my mam are taking is that he and Andrew are together now, they adored each other as well. But as a family, we're absolutely shattered because we've had two deaths in 17 days and two funerals to arrange.
"It really is a bizarre and cruel, cruel world we live in. I wish it was a bad dream."
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