A grandad-of-five from Southport has died after a 20 year fight with Parkinson's disease.
Joe Davies, known throughout the town for his business Davies Brothers Builders, battled the illness for two decades supported by his wife of 57 years, Dot Davies.
Alan Laithwaite, Joe's son-in-law, told the ECHO : "Joe was well known in the community, he's done a lot of work for people in the area. Everyone knew him as a happy, bubbly and honest character.
READ MORE: Mum speechless at doctor's comment while wife was in labour
"When we used to train together in the gym, if I lifted 80kg, he would lift 82kg, no matter how old he was he was very competitive. Even when he was getting older he would still try and do things that younger fellas would try and do and that was the sort of desire he had in him.
"It helped him with his illness because he wouldn't be knocked down by the illness and he would spite it every single day. There were days when he struggled mobility-wise and there were days where he just had to get up and push himself.
"It was a difficult illness for him to deal with but he had a strong character about him, it helped him deal with his illness.
"He actually did work for customers who suffered with Parkinson's and he's seen those people deteriorate quickly and it was on his mind how that was going to happen to him. He was a lovely, warm guy who would do anything for anyone."
Alan, 49, is married to Joe's daughter Karen and they are parents to Kyle, 22, and Tilly, 12.
Joe had three children with his wife Dot, Karen, 52, Barrie, 55, and Angela 56, and five grandchildren, Kyle, Tilly, Freya, 21, Olivia, 18, and Ben, 16.
Six months on from Joe's death, the family are set to take on the Tough Mudder Challenge on September 4 to raise money for Parkinson's UK in memory of Joe.
Tough Mudder involves overcoming 25 obstacles over 10km whilst battling through mud.
Alan told the ECHO: "He died in March this year, a month shy of his 81st birthday when we were all meant to be going away on holiday, what would have been his last proper holiday, unfortunately he didn't make it.
"I didn't know much about Parkinson's until Joe and we just want to try and put it out there a bit more, as well as the side effects of dementia [a common side effect of Parkinson's], and just make people more aware of it and make a tribute by raising as much money as possible for Parkinson's UK."
To read more about the fundraiser or to donate, click here.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
