Superfit dad dies in Calne

Firefighter Alan Gordine, 49, of Wessington Avenue, Calne, collapsed at home after suffering a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lungs, on July 12.

“It was just myself and Alan,” said 44-year-old Mrs Gordine, “He seemed fine, and was just about to make himself some lunch when he collapsed.

“It was just so quick and very sudden. I called the ambulance and he died in Swindon hospital. It is a huge shock.”

Mr Gordine had just returned from a week in hospital with appendicitis which led to a serious infection.

“The doctors are happy he died of natural causes,” said Mrs Gordine, “But it is something I will look at and see if it could have been linked to the infection. I know it won’t change anything, but it’s for my own peace of mind.”

She said her husband would always help anyone.

“He was very lively, with a wicked sense of humour, hence why we played ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’ at his funeral.”

Mrs Gordine, a full-time carer to their teenage son Karl who has a rare chromosome disorder, said her husband had competed in several London marathons in aid of Naomi House Hospice and planned to swim the channel next year to support the hospice which helps Karl.

“He raised quite a lot of money for charities linked to Karl and we asked for donations at the funeral to be made to the St Nicholas School hydrotherapy pool, appeal because they have been so good to us.”

Karl attends the school. The couple have a 21-year-old daughter, Trudy “It is difficult to know if Karl understands what is going on, he knows something is not quite right but I think he will only truly understand what has happened when he realises his dad hasn’t come home for a long time.

“Both the children were close to their dad.”

Mr Gordine, who had worked at RAF Lyneham as a MoD fireman and a retained firefighter in Calne for many years, was well known in the town. Hundreds attended his funeral at St Mary’s Church on Friday.