TRIBUTES have been paid to an great-granddad who was Wales's longest living heart transplant survivor.

Eddie Tierney, described as an "inspiration to many", died on Friday, May 7. He was 80 years old.

Eddie, who used to live in Wellington Road in Rhyl, was aged 43 when he had his heart transplant in Harefield Hospital on March 23, 1984.

He was first admitted into Glan Clwyd Hospital with a flu virus that attacked his heart. Eddie's wife Phyllis was told at the time he only had six weeks to live.

After the transplant, doctors informed his loved ones that Eddie had another five years to live.

Eddie with his wife Phyllis

Eddie with his wife Phyllis. The award was for their fundraising from Conwy Council for the BHF

Daughter Deborah said: "It was very distressing for my brother and I as we were unable to visit him, and a heart transplant seemed surreal. Our first visit was amazing as we expected him to be in a wheelchair, but he was actually standing up enjoying an ice-lolly.

"He came home in May and returned to a relatively normal life, closely looked after by his wife.

"Dad was eternally grateful to his organ donor and her family and always returned on the anniversary of the transplant to Kidderminster where his heart came from."

An addition to Deborah, Eddie had son Michael. He was the beloved husband of Phyllis and had grandchildren Jodi, Natasha, Grace, Thomas and Matthew and great-grandson Caleb.

Eddie was previously well-known as the proprietor of Eddies Odds and Ends.

He began his career as cabinet makers in the Old Queens Market.

He met Phyllis in 1959 in a coffee bar and they married in 1963 in Rhyl.

Eddie had daughter Deborah, his eldest and son Michael. His wife Phyllis and grandchildren Jodi, Natasha, Grace, Thomas and Matthew and great grandson Caleb.

Eddie had daughter Deborah, his eldest and son Michael. His wife Phyllis and grandchildren Jodi, Natasha, Grace, Thomas and Matthew and great grandson Caleb.

Deborah added: "Dad was a very social person, kind, generous and always had a good story to tell. He loved his motorbikes, gardening and being with his family.

"He moved to Kinmel Bay to retire in 1990 after living in Rhyl since 1963 and remained happily there.

"He struggled greatly during the pandemic whilst having to shield and his health deteriorated as a result."

Rhyl Journal: Deborah's wedding day last August; it was extra special as Eddie was able to give his daughter awayDeborah's wedding day last August; it was extra special as Eddie was able to give his daughter away

Eddie raised thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

"He felt he owed a debt of gratitude to the BHF and Harefield and to the staff at Glan Clwyd Hospital and wanted to repay them for saving his life," Deborah added.

"He also wanted to prove to transplants that a normal life was possible and could be fulfilling.

"He always used to say 'every day is a bonus'."

In line with his final wishes, a no fuss farewell, there will be no funeral for Eddie.