Popular Waterlooville dad, 34, holds on to marry partner in hospital before dying
His sudden death leaves a “massive” hole in the family
A “popular” 34-year-old dad who was the “life of the party” held on to marry his partner before dying of multi-organ failure - leaving loved ones “devastated”.
Devoted Waterlooville family man Jay Davis passed away on Monday (August 10) after marrying Becca Davis, 41, the previous day at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
The dad of four and stepdad of five was only expected to live for a few hours after he was taken out of an induced coma and off sedation on Friday August 7.
But the brave born and raised Portchester man managed to achieve his dying wish of marrying Becca.
Jay, who has suffered with problems with his heart, liver and an overactive thyroid for years, went to hospital at the end of July after becoming sick with internal bleeding before he was transferred to critical care where he was told he had multi-organ failure.
Despite his long-term health battles, Jay’s sudden death still came as a shock to those who knew him.
His stepdaughter Leah White has now launched a GoFundMe to give Jay a fitting funeral send-off. Speaking of her stepdad, she told The News: “He was the person who would stand out in a room. He had this gravitating energy and was someone who always had good things to say.
“He always had your back and had great ideas to help other people. He was a very popular guy who was the life and soul of the party. He’s a massive miss to the family.”
Speaking of Jay’s strength in adversity as he faced a number of health battles, Leah said: “He had ongoing health problems with heart problems, liver disease and an overactive thyroid. A vein popped in his esophagus which led to internal bleeding and him throwing up. He went to A&E before he was taken to critical care where he was told he had multi-organ failure.
“When he was in hospital we thought ‘he’s going to go’ but then he would hold on and we thought ‘maybe he will be ok’.”
Jay was placed into an induced coma before he was taken out of it - but doctors were then forced to place him back in one. When he was taken out of a coma on Friday August 7 it was thought he would only last a few hours.
Fearing he may not last, Jay had proposed to Becca at the end of July when in hospital. “Jay said he did not have long left and wanted to marry my mum so she made it possible,” Leah said.
“They married at his bedside on Sunday and he died in the early hours of Monday. My mum thought he would pass away on Saturday or Sunday. He made sure he stayed awake in case he did not wake up again.”
As Jay was approaching the end, Becca was still at his bedside with family and friends alerted and rushing to hospital.
“Everyone was devastated. His death was expected in some ways but not so soon. It was sudden and he was only 34. Everyone is distraught,” Leah said.
“During his time in hospital there would always be lots of family and friends visiting him. He was surrounded by lots of people. He knew everyone was coming to say goodbye. It was very hard for him and everyone around him.”
Jay, the youngest of five siblings, also leaves behind three brothers and a sister with his parents passing away when he was younger.
To donate go to: www.gofundme.com/f/jay-davis