By Linzi Watson

Last updated at 09:49, Friday, 03 July 2009

A devoted dad who, as a child, was given only six months to live, was remembered by family and friends this week as a man who had cheated all odds to achieve his dream of fatherhood.

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Simon Wilkinson, who was born with a serious heart condition, died at the age of 29, leaving his wife Lexi – whom he met when he was aged just two – and his baby daughter Kiera.

Lexi and Simon had been inseparable as children, were best friends as teenagers and they eventually married in January 2004.

Simon’s happiness was complete 11 months ago when Lexi gave birth to baby Kiera.

As an infant Simon, of Brampton, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Doctors told his family he would only have six months to live – but he defied all odds and went on to lead a full and happy life, working as an electrician at Park Gate & Co in Carlisle.

Lexi, 29, of Howard Road in Brampton, said: “I will always remember the massive smile on his face the first time he looked at Kiera. He was there for the whole birth and was a brilliant dad.

“Kiera’s face lit up every time she looked at him and vice versa. She has his beautiful smile.

“I have lost my husband and my best friend – we have never been apart. He will be sadly missed by so many.”

More than 380 people attended Simon’s funeral in the town last month.

Lexi said: “At his funeral, one of his friends described him as a big shaggy dog who you wanted to tell off, but when he looked at you with his big eyes you just couldn’t do it.

“Simon was the kind of person who could talk to anybody. He was cheeky and funny and could get away with saying things to people that no-one else would.

“He loved Newcastle United and hanging out with all his friends at the Nags Head.”

His workmates described him as a skilled and talented worker, who loved his job and was always keen to offer a helping hand.

Lexi, a nurse at the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle, said: “Although he had this heart condition he never ever let it affect him.

“There was so much more to him than that and he never dwelt on it. So we pushed it to the back of our minds too.

“We would go for the check-ups and doctors would tell us he was doing fine. He wasn’t ill and he never complained.”

Simon’s death on June 14 was a massive shock to his friends and family.

An inquest has been opened to determine the exact cause of death but medics believe it is related to his heart condition.

He leaves behind parents Christine and David, sister Natalie, 22, and brother Philip, 26. He was also very close to Lexi’s parents Pat and Sandy and her sister Lesley Walker-Lowe.

Natalie said: “The way I look at is that I had this brother for 29 years that I wasn’t meant to have and I could never have asked for a better brother. He would have done anything for anybody.

“Simon’s family and Lexi’s family are one big unit. We have all grown up together and are so close. Kiera is pulling us through. We just can’t be sad around her.”

Simon’s mum Christine said: “His funeral was a celebration of his life. This is what he would have wanted.”

His best friends carried his coffin wearing Newcastle United shirts with his name on the back.

The family have thanked friends and neighbours for their help and support.

They raised almost £1,000 for the children’s cardiology unit at the Freeman Hspital in Newcastle where Simon was treated as a baby.

To donate, contact Co-operative Funeral Care in Brampton.

First published at 05:15, Friday, 03 July 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk