Brave Martin Moye, who gained an extra ten years of life after a heart transplant operation, has died, aged 46.

Martin Moye

Father-of-three Mr Moye, of Ouse Chase, Witham, finally succumbed to an infection while on dialysis for kidney and liver problems.

"His body was too weak to fight any more," said his devoted wife Carol, 40, who has paid tribute to the husband she said was "gentle, brave, patient and loving."

After receiving a new heart in 1992, Mr Moye, whose dream of joining the RAF was cruelly dashed because of heart disease, was determined to make the most of his bonus years.

After the operation, the couple had a new baby, Kirsty Christina Elizabeth, the last name after the woman who gave permission for Mr Moye to receive her dead son's heart.

Kirsty is now six and their two other children are Gavin, 15, and Aaron, 12.

Mr Moye was a devoted family man. Although never well enough to play football with his sons, he did take all his children out to play in the park and did as much as possible with them as his health allowed.

"From the moment ten years ago when we received the call from Harefield Hospital saying a heart was available Martin was determined to make the best of it," said Mrs Moye.

"I'm afraid it has been down hill for the past three years. He suffered terrible gout and problems with his liver and kidneys as well as cancer. He was a fighter.

"We nearly lost him on five occasions but he was so determined to recover he battled through. He was always smiling and joking with the children. We have always been honest with them about his health and never hid anything from them."

During his extra ten years, Mr Moye did a parachute jump raising hundreds of pounds for Harefield Hopsital. He also set up a support group to help people in similar situations.

"Martin was told he would probably have at least another ten years with his new heart. Well he did achieve that. We shall miss him dreadfully but he wouldn't have wanted to end up in a wheelchair unable to do anything. We are able to be strong now as a family because of the example he set. We loved him so much."

A date for the funeral has yet to be arranged.

Published Wednesday November 14, 2001