Family pay tribute to pensioner who died from a heart attack while driving

Gilbert Allan was taking his wife dancing when he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest on November 25.

Mr Allan, aged 81, was at the wheel of his blue Volkswagen Polo as he approached the junction of Greenheath Road and High Mount Street. The attack caused a very minor crash between his car and a white Ford Mondeo at 12.45pm.

He was taken to County Hospital in Stafford but died on arrival.

His devastated family today described him as 'the best husband and dad' they could have wished for.

Mr Allan and his wife were on their way to Pye Green Community Centre to attend an afternoon dance where they were regulars.

His wife Phyllis Allan, 83 said: "We are just so shocked and devastated. We will miss him dearly."

His widow added:"He was an old fashioned man with strong family values and he was a romantic, a big softie. He never missed an anniversary and he bought me flowers every week. He was such a loveable person."

Mr Allan had one child and his daughter, Lynn Carroll, 55, who works as a singer said: "Dad was always happy, always smiling.

"He enjoyed a brandy and lemonade and we had a great social life as a family."

Son in law Lee Carroll, 56, added: "He was a laugh a minute man, very happy, always telling jokes, the life and soul of the party with a great sense of humour."

Originally from Selly Oak in Birmingham, Mr Allan moved to Hednesford as a young boy.

The couple met at a dance at the Co-op in Cannock and married in 1957 at St Luke's Church.

Mr Allan worked as a furniture retail manager all his life, spending 20 years at Brian James in Cannock before he retired at 76.

When he reached his 50s Mr Allan decided to learn a new language and became fluent in Spanish, taking exams and enjoying holidays to Spain.

When he was 80 he joined Cannock ex servicemen choir and rehearsed each Monday night.

Mrs Allan said: "He never kept still, he would go dancing three times a week."

His daughter added: "He loved ballroom dancing and enjoyed gardening.

"He loved his classical music and went to concerts, he knew everything there was to know about classical music."

She added: "He had a very loud infectious laugh, you would hear dad before you saw him.

"We couldn't wish for a better husband and father, we shall miss him dearly."

Mrs Allan said: "He was a wonderful husband and we were very close. We went everywhere together and were never apart."

His funeral will be held on December 15 at 11am at St Chads Church, Chadsmoor and his family have politely requested donations to Midlands Air Ambulance instead of flowers.