A 'loving' dad-of-11 who died after being diagnosed with coronavirus had joined a group of carers looking after the elderly after the pandemic struck.
Garry Melia, formerly a DJ, joined a care company to financially support his family after the recent birth of his latest child, a friend said.
Lisa Humphreys said Garry had "joined the ranks to fight the silent killer and look after vulnerable people."
But tragically the father died just eight weeks after his daughter was born.
Garry was diagnosed with Covid-19 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Southport, Merseyside.
He tragically died on Monday last week at Broadgreen hospital in Liverpool, which specialises in treating heart and chest patients.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Lisa Humphreys, a close friend of the family, said: "Garry 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.
"Garry had joined the ranks to fight the silent killer and look after vulnerable people.
"The recent new arrival[Sienna] added to the heavy family expenditures and Garry had joined the care company to supplement his family's income, while his other job as a karaoke entertainer was locked down due to the pandemic.
"The final tragedy in this situation was that none of the family have been able to visit or contact their father, personally, or over the phone, as he did not regain consciousness.
"...Garry was a very loyal person and was devoted to his family and was always working hard to provide for them.
"Rest in peace, you will be missed."
His partner Susan Caunce said: "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.
"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 leaves behind his partner Susan, and their 11 children - seven boys, and four girls.
The eldest is 27, while the youngest addition to the family, daughter Sienna, came just eight weeks ago.
A JustGiving page has now been set up by Lisa Humphreys to raise money for Garry's family.
To donate to the JustGiving page in honour of Garry Melia please click here.
