‘He was a true gent’ – Family pays tribute to Sunderland father who died after testing positive for coronavirus

Joe Jenkins, of Ford Estate, lost his life on Wednesday, April 1 after battling coronavirus in hospital.

The 65-year-old, who had recently been on a trip abroad to celebrate his ruby wedding anniversary, was surrounded by his wife and six children when he tragically passed away.

Joe was the brother of Marion Jolliff, the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in Sunderland.

She has since beaten the illness but remains in hospital receiving treatment.

Joe’s daughter, Eva Jenkins hailed her dad as “a true gent” in a touching tribute.

She told the Echo: “He was an amazing man who was always up for a laugh.

“Everyone who knew my dad knows how funny he was. He always had a joke to tell. He’ll be a massive miss to everyone, not just the family.”

Joe was set to walk daughter Eva down the aisle when she gets married in September.

He was rushed into hospital on Saturday, March 30 after showing symptoms of Covid-19.

He had developed a cough while on holiday in Spain for his 40th wedding anniversary and his condition worsened when he returned home.

Eva wanted to thank the NHS staff who not only looked after dad Joe, but her Auntie Marion as well.

“They have all been fantastic,” she said.

“They are doing their jobs as best they can in difficult circumstances. The whole family is just grateful for the support that they have given us.”

And it hasn’t just been NHS staff who have supported the family, but the hundreds of well-wishers who have contacted them on social media in the past few weeks.

Eva added: “We’ve had loads of messages over the last few weeks and especially on Wednesday when my dad passed away.

“Everyone has been so kind, people have been offering to do shopping for us as we now have to self-isolate.”

Joe’s sister Marion, 62, was in an induced coma at South Tyneside Hospital after she developed coronavirus early last month.

The Pennywell grandmother has now tested negative for the illness, but still has not returned to full health and remains on a ventilator in hospital.

Eva said that though Marion has beaten the virus, “she still has a long way to go yet”.

Posting on Facebook, Marion’s son Alen Jolliff paid tribute to his uncle.

He said: “Cannot believe my uncle Joe lost his battle to this horrendous virus.

“Can people please stay at home to stop it spreading.

“I don’t want more families to go through the heartache we’ve been through over last few weeks.”

Eva echoed that message, saying: “Stop going out and start taking all of this seriously.”

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but the family is planning to have a wake for Joe once the lockdown is over.

Eva’s sister won a competition to host a free party, which was going to be used for their parent’s 40th wedding anniversary.

Instead, it will now be used to celebrate the life of a much-loved man.

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