TRIBUTES have been paid to a factory worker who has died at the age of 25.
Gareth Connor, from Wrexham and who worked at at Archimica, Sandycroft, had been battling a liver condition since his childhood and is thought to have encountered heart problems towards the end of his life.
Gareth was a former pupil at Darland High School, Wrexham and Acton Park Primary School, Wrexham, where each year for the past 14 years a Year Six leaver has been presented with the Gareth Connor Award in recognition of bravery.
Teacher Simon Cane told the Leader: “Gareth can only be described as a model pupil.
“His time here at Acton is remembered with affection by all those staff and pupils who had the pleasure of his company.
“He was an inspiration to the pupils in his class because of his determination to always try his best.
“Gareth never gave up on anything he did, although there were times when he was in great discomfort.
“Since we heard the very sad news about Gareth, staff members have been recounting their stories about how he touched their lives.
“Our award to Gareth is that we applaud him and thank him for showing us that the important thing in life is that you always try your best.
“Gareth always tried his best.”
A spokesman for Archimica, where Gareth worked as an electrical engineer, passed on their condolences to his family.
It is thought Gareth was being treated at a hospital in Birmingham towards the end of his life and often took to social networking site Facebook to update friends about his treatment.
On May 4 he wrote: “Liver transplant and heart surgery in one operation for me in the near future.”
And on May 9, he posted: “Annoyed. Just been put on a bag of fluids for 10 hours. Marvellous.”
Tributes have also been flooding into Gareth’s Facebook page.
User Hannah Louise Lacourse wrote: “I will always have fond memories of you and will never forget what a courageous, brave and inspirational person you are.”
Jim Barber wrote: “I remember meeting him as a little kid and it brought me to tears how brave and strong he was back then.”
And Jade Ashley Roberts said: “You are the most amazing person I have ever met.
“I still don’t want to believe this is true.”
Jay Mauel-Ewing posted: “A tragic loss, complete heart of gold.”