Tributes paid after Gosport man dies of heart attack while moving furniture

Mark Lloyd, 45 from Gosport, was moving furniture to earn some money when he suffered a heart attack – his second in seven years.

He was placed into a coma for two weeks before his life support was turned off on August 12.

But having taken up going to the gym, and quitting smoking and drinking, the popular Gosport man's death has come as a shock to many.

The self-employed engineer could often be found playing pool or having a laugh with mates at the White Hart pub in Stoke Road.

Gary Guinness, 47, has known Mark for around 20 years and the two were firm friends.

He said: ‘In the early 2000s we were always going to house parties and stuff together.

‘We played pool every Thursday and really enjoyed each other’s company.

‘Mark was a genuinely lovely bloke – funny and sarcastic but with a heart of pure gold, he’s going to be hugely missed by everyone who knew him.’

A single man with no children, Mark was a huge car fan with a particular fondness of the Porsche 911.

He was also into boxing, and according to Gary was in 'remarkable shape’.

‘Mark was looking good and that’s part of why this came as such a shock,’ he said.

‘It goes to show this sort of thing can happen at any time – but it’s still incredibly sad.’

SEE ALSO: Fareham man arrested over indecent exposure at Fleming Park in Hampshire

On Thursday, August 27, Mark will be cremated at Portchester Crematorium.

After that, a wake will be held at the Queen’s Head in Brockhurst Road.

Gary, who is in Malta so willl be appearing at the wake via video link, is fundraising to give Mark a fitting send-off – with half the money also going to Cats Protection.

He said: ‘We wanted to give Mark the farewell he deserves, while also supporting a charity close to his heart.

‘He adored cats and was very supportive of the charity, so we wanted to keep that going.’

To donate, people can go to gofundme.com/f/mark-lloyd-gone-but-never-forgotten.