A funeral director who got stuck in Cyprus after being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing emergency surgery, has died.

Paul Hawden, 65 pictured here, had worked in the industry since he was 15 when he became an apprentice for the Naylar Brothers who ran a funeral business in Rochester.

Mr Hawden passed away last Sunday, after returning his home in Medway in August after being flown back from the Mediterranean island by his travel insurance company.

He leaves behind his partner, Linda and their son Soul, 25, and daughter Shaolyn, 27.

Mr Hawden also had two sons, Lee and Paul with is former wife, Geraldine.

Mr Hawden became seriously ill while in Cyprus while decorating his holiday home and needed emergency surgery after being diagnosed with cancer.

He was originally stuck there after being told he could not leave hospital until his medical bill of £29,000, was paid.

He eventually left the hospital after his daughter acted as a guarantor but could still not leave the island.

But after his MP, Kelly Tolhurst and the Medway Messenger stepped in, a dispute with his insurance company Barclays was sorted out and said it would pay for him to get home.

The dispute was sorted out after the company spoke to doctors on the island who confirmed his condition was unrelated to his previous medical conditions.

Mr Hawden, who ran his funeral business in Hoo, had flown out to the island in July to decorate his apartment in Limassol in preparation for friends who were due to stay there in August.

He had been feeling unwell since his arrival but alarm bells rang when Mr Hawden, who had been given the all-clear from prostate cancer, noticed blood in his urine.

A neighbour took him to hospital where he was diagnosed with cancer and would have to have part of his stomach and his oesophagus removed.

His daughter, Shaolyn, who works for the family business Paul Hawden Funeral Directors with her mother, has spent weeks trying to sort the dispute out.

She and Mr Hawden touched down in an emergency air ambulance jet, which landed at Biggin Hill, on Thursday, August 28, and said it was amazing to be home.

At the time he said: “All I want to do is get home and kiss Linda and my Scottie dog Jock.

“There were times when I thought this day would never happen, and this situation should not have happened. But I am just grateful it has now been sorted out.”

Mr Hawden has started treatment at the oncology department at Maidstone Hospital, but passed away peacefully at Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham, with his family by his side.

His partner, Linda, said: “We miss him and love him and we wish we could have saved him.

“We would have done anything to have him her still with us, he should still be here with us.

“He would have done anything for anyone.”

John Weir, who has known Mr Hawden since they were teenagers, also paid tribute to his friend.

He said: “Paul, at the age of 15, was apprenticed to the Naylar Brothers (Wally and Bill) after which he continued to work for them until the mid 70s when the business was sold.

“Then he came to work at Thomas Fowle & Sons where I was the apprentice.

“Over the forty plus years I knew Paul, apart from being a dear friend, he was the consummate professional helping and guiding countless bereaved families at the most difficult of times and it was at such times that his years of training and experience shone through.”

His funeral service is set to be held at Hoo St Werburgh Church, on Tuesday, December 15 at noon and a private family cremation service will be held at Medway Crematorium at Blue Bell Hill, Chatham, at 2.45pm.

Family flowers only, donations made to the Anim-Mates animal rescue charity bases in St Mary Hoo.

A wake will be held afterwards at the Hoo Village Institute in Main Road, Hoo afterwards and everyone who knew Mr Hawden are welcome to go along to pay their respects.