A taxi firm boss died of Covid in hospital, never getting to meet his son who was born last week.
Tahir Mahmood, co-owner of Staffordshire's largest taxi firm Lucky Seven, was hospitalised a month ago with breathing difficulties.
The 43-year-old's condition didn't improve and he died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on Tuesday.
Tahir, who was unvaccinated against Covid, succumbed to the virus without getting the chance to hold his son who was born last week, StokeonTrent Live reports.
Tahir, from Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, also leaves behind his grief-stricken widow, four other children, two brothers and three sisters.
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They were among 5,000 mourners who gathered at Gillani Noor mosque in Longton on Wednesday to celebrate his life.
His younger brother Muhammad Esa, 40, said: “He was the most beautiful soul I know. He put himself second to everybody. Sometimes he couldn’t eat his food thinking there’s so much poverty in the world.
“Our lives will never be the same. He was the most loving father and beautiful brother.
"In my life he was a friend, brother and he took my mother and father’s place. Maybe if he didn’t love us as much we might not have missed him so much.
“One day his ankle came out of place. He could’ve got in his car and drove to the mosque but he chose to walk. He said he was walking rather than taking the easy way. He wanted to appreciate everything. He was such a humble person.
“He valued life and he was a friend to people from all walks of life.
“Thank you to everybody that prayed for him and all their support. He is a loss not just to us but to the wider community of Stoke-on-Trent. In his work and in his home life he was the best of characters.”
Lucky Seven was started by their father and taken over by Tahir and his brothers who would help out from an early age answering phone calls.
Manager Zahir Ahmed met Tahir more than 30 years ago and says he treated him like a 'brother' rather than an employee.
He said: “He would go out of his way to help people. He was very charitable. I’ve never had a fallout with him, he treated me like family. He would listen to your views.
“We are all going to miss him. Everybody here is devastated. We have had calls from our customers who have been sympathetic and understanding.
“It’s a very difficult time for everybody and for his family especially. I feel like I have lost a brother. I’ve got so much respect for him and will miss him dearly."
Community leaders and local councillors have also paid tribute.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Faisal Hussain, said: “It was absolutely heart-breaking to hear the news of Tahir passing."
He added that Tahir was "a kind, friendly and humble person."
Councillor Sadaqat Maqsoom, who represents Lightwood, added that Tahir "will always be remembered as a deeply-principled and committed man."
“His passion for the local community and warm smile will be with us always," he said. Barrie Harrington, chairman of the Normacot Residents' Association, said that Tahir "was such a generous and caring family man. The community will be poorer with his loss."
