British grandfather, 77, drowns while snorkelling during Caribbean holiday with his wife
A British grandfather has drowned while snorkelling during a holiday in the Caribbean with his wife.
Gareth Weekes, 77, was on a sailing trip onboard a yacht with his wife Alison off the coast of St Vincent and the Grenadines when he died.
Weekes, an avid sailor who has been described by his family as a ‘wonderful’ father, had gone into the water to go snorkelling but he later drowned.
Tributes have since poured in for Weekes, the former editor of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.
His eldest daughter, Veryan Canston, 40, told the Daily Echo: ‘Dad died he lived – taking risks, having adventures, exploring the world and approaching life with boundless enthusiasm and a gung-ho zest for new experiences. We are glad he was having those adventures right up till the end.’
Gareth Weekes, 77, was on a sailing trip onboard a yacht with his wife Alison off the coast of St Vincent and the Grenadines when he died (file image)
Weekes’ other daughter, Jenna Fansa, 43, who also worked as a journalist at the Echo, added: ‘Dad took a very genuine interest in everyone he met – together with his wit and engaging writing style, this made him a very talented journalist.
‘Kindness ran through everything he did. He was a wonderful father. We are so very lucky to have had him.’
Weekes was married to primary school teacher Diane for 35 years until she died in 2004. The couple had three children together – Veryan, Jenna and Bronwen.
He later married Alison Hulls, who he was snorkeling with when the tragedy struck, in 2007.
Alison, who lived with Weekes at their home in Clayhidon, Devon, said: ‘Absolutely everyone described Gareth as a lovely man.
‘He had enormous integrity and empathy with each person he met and this is reflected in the overwhelming reaction to his tragic and sudden death.’
Weekes also had two stepchildren – Poz Watson and Maddie Flint – as well as 11 grandchildren. He is survived by his two sisters, Carolyn Arthurs and Jane Revill.
He grew up in South Wales and worked at a solicitors firm before starting work as a journalist. He edited weekly newspapers in Tavistock and Salisbury before later becoming the editor of the Bournemouth Daily Echo.
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