Tributes paid to 'truly wonderful' Sheffield dad-of-three, 48, who died following shock double stroke

The family of a Sheffield father-of-three has paid loving tribute to the ‘kind, loving and loyal’ man who died following a four-week-long fight for his life caused by a shock double stroke.
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Darren Fantom was until January a fit and healthy man who did long-distance running in his spare time.

But the Chesterfield-born father and grandfather suffered ‘two massive strokes’ while at work in Cyprus with his wife Andrea, leaving him non-responsive and in intensive care.

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Doctors told Andrea that Darren’s best chance of recovery was at home with their family, in Sheffield, and Andrea launched a funding campaign to try to pay for the air ambulance and intensive care team needed to bring him back to the UK.

Darren FantomDarren Fantom
Darren Fantom

Sadly Darren died this week, having suffered a number of complications while in hospital in Nicosia, where he was being treated.

Only the week before, his family were told he was finally well enough to be able to be flown home for care.

Darren, who previously lived in Parson Cross, is survived by three children, two step-children, five grandchildren, his wife, parents-in-law and many friends.

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Andrea said: “On February 18 my husband Darren sadly lost his fight, he suffered many complications and after showing such strength and bravery for over four weeks but he became too tired to go on.

Darren and Andrea FantomDarren and Andrea Fantom
Darren and Andrea Fantom

“His wish was that he would donate his organs to help others after his passing and he has succeeded doing this. His liver is being transplanted into someone deserving today, so even in passing he’s still the same caring and loving person he was in life.

“Since his passing I have received hundreds of messages of condolence, love and support many from people I don’t know but who knew Darren .

“To see how many peoples lives he has touched and brightened in some way makes me so happy as Darren was a very kind, loving, loyal man. He had an intoxicating personality and an amazing attitude to life, he was fun loving and loved to joke.

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“I’m devastated to have lost my soul mate and my best friend but I’m honoured and proud to have called him my husband.”

Andrea and Darren FantomAndrea and Darren Fantom
Andrea and Darren Fantom

Andrea’s parents added: “Darren was our daily ray of sunshine who could always make us laugh no matter what.

“He had an infectious personality and was loved dearly by us. He wasn’t just a son-in-law, he was our second son.

“On the day of his and our daughters wedding his new father-in-law ripped up his speech and spoke straight from the heart about how glad he was to see his only daughter married to him and how we as his new family loved him as our own.

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“Not to have him in our lives is indescribably painful but he left us with so many happy memories of how lucky we were to have had him for the time we did.”

Darren’s family are now using the money raised to bring him back to the UK so they can say their goodbyes and pay for his funeral.

You can donate here.