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Rock lover and father Terry Blyth from Herne dies after suffering aneurysm, just days after he attended his mother's wedding

Terry Blyth and Collette Matania with their son Tyler
Terry Blyth and Collette Matania with their son Tyler

A popular music lover died after he suddenly collapsed at work, just days after his mother’s wedding.

Rock fan and father Terry Blyth, 40, from Herne, suffered an aneurysm at the Motorline Peugeot garage in Broad Oak Road, Canterbury, on Friday, May 24.

Hs mother Monica rushed back from her honeymoon to join his partner Collette Matania and brothers Richard and Steven by his side at King’s College Hospital, London.

The mechanic died days later, with his family around him, on Wednesday, May 29.

Monica, of Maypole Lane, Hoath, said: “It was very sudden and a great shock.

“When I got married it was the last time I saw him.

“We got to see him in hospital but within days we knew he wasn’t going to improve.”

Terry Blyth and Collette Matania
Terry Blyth and Collette Matania

His partner Collette, 34, of Orchard Row, Herne, said: “I am still in shock really. I look at pictures of him and it is hard to get my head around what's happened because he seems so healthy.

“Everyone I’ve known who has died has been through an illness so you have had time to come to terms with it.

“He always said he wanted it to be quick but it is still such a shock.

“He always looked so well with none of us aware of the ticking time bomb he had inside his brain.”

As an organ donor, Terry’s family have taken comfort from the knowledge he saved five lives the night he died.

Collette said: “I was amazed someone could have his liver as he liked a drink.”

Terry Blyth and Collette Matania
Terry Blyth and Collette Matania

A huge fan of Bon Jovi and Queen, Terry was also a keen fresh water fisherman and snooker player, which he enjoyed with his son Tyler, eight.

Collette said: “He used to enjoy taking Tyler fishing. We all went and I read a book until Tyler got bored.

“Terry also enjoyed snooker and he was looking forward to Tyler being tall enough to take him to the East Kent Snooker Club.”

In honour of Terry’s love of music, jeans and concert t-shirts will be worn at his funeral, which will take place at St Martin’s Church, Herne, on Saturday, June 15 at 10.30am.

Collette, a dinner lady at Herne Junior School, said: “We met at a Bon Jovi concert in Hyde Park in 2003 and I shall be wearing the t-shirt I wore that day.

“He was larger than life. He loved fun.”

Monica added: “He always lived life to the full. He was always up for anything.”

There will be a committal at Barham crematorium.

The family have requested no flowers but that donations be made to Kings College hospital via funeral directors A Welch and Sons on 01227 374995 or by visiting a Just Giving page set up in Terry's memory.

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