Dad dies on dream break for son's African wedding

Ronald Mayberry, 66, had spent the day in Cape Town with his two sons and wife Sheila when he suddenly told her he felt unwell and passed away minutes later in the hotel lounge.

Mr Mayberry had been due to watch son Nick marry his fiancee, Hayley, four days later at a South African winery.

The wedding was cancelled and the couple will instead get married in Edinburgh in his memory at a later date.

Sheila, 64, Nick, 31, and his brother, Simon, 28, said they took comfort from the fact Mr Mayberry, who lived in Currie, had experienced a "perfect day" in the company of the people he loved.

Mrs Mayberry said: "It was rare for the whole family to be together, except at Christmas time, as Nick lives in London.

"But the day he died was a brilliant one. We all climbed to the top of Table Mountain and later on, as we sat around the dinner table, you could see that he was content. He was galloping around that day.

"We left Edinburgh to go on holiday on March 29, which was our 40th wedding anniversary. We flew out to Johannesburg and saw a lot of wildlife, which was one of Ron's passions. When we went on safari we actually viewed a leopard and her cubs, which was the first time the driver had ever seen them. It was very special.

"The fact the day was so perfect is a comfort."

Mr Mayberry, who worked for an insurance company for 20 years, had finished a meal on the night of April 3 and was about to get a drink when he leant forward to his wife and told her he was feeling unwell. Seconds later he collapsed and although he was rushed to a nearby hospital, there was nothing medics could do to save him.

It is believed that he died from heart-related problems, although the family chose not to get a post-mortem carried out. He had previously had two heart attacks and underwent a bypass in 2005.

Son Nick said his father was a "genuinely good man" who had always been on the go and saw the best in people. He said: "With Dad, you can honestly say he lived life to the full. He was a really good guy, somebody who would always help and support people.

He added: "There was never any question that we would go ahead with the wedding. It is too raw.

"There were only ten people attending and to go to nine would have been too difficult. We just wanted to go home.

"We'll have a wedding at some point, probably in Edinburgh."

Mrs Mayberry added: "He was always a hands-on dad who loved playing golf, darts and snooker. He was a keen bowler and was a member of Merchiston Bowling Club, where he was president three times.

"Ron was also a Hearts fanatic and he'd just renewed his season ticket. We were touched when the bowling club put the flag to half-mast and held a minute of silence on the green following his death."

The couple met in 1966 and lived in Polwarth before moving to Shandon Crescent and then to Rowantree Grove, in Currie, after Mr Mayberry's health deteriorated.

His funeral will be held on Thursday at Mortonhall Crematorium at 3pm, followed by a wake at the bowling club from 4pm.

Nick said: "We're hoping there will be a good turnout. That would mean a lot to my dad."