Wife’s tribute to ‘legend’ husband Ian Luckhurst

AN EXPAT in North Cyprus has paid tribute to her “legend” of a husband, Ian Luckhurst, (pictured) who passed away last Friday, aged 76, after contracting Covid-19.

Tina Luckhurst issued an emotional written tribute to her husband, which she shared with Cyprus Today.

“After fighting for his life for five long weeks, Ian Luckhurst’s heart finally gave up,” she wrote. “Contracting the dreaded virus took its toll. He passed peacefully on Friday, February 18, and took off over the rainbow.”

Mrs Luckhurst described her husband as “a wonderful husband for 40 years, a loving brother to Did, caring, proud father of Ami, Jan, Hannah, and Josh, great mate of Hannah’s partner Ash, grandfather of eight, and a trusted, loyal friend to so many”.

She went on to describe how “Ian fought all his life for what he believed in, at times with unerring passion”.

Mrs Luckhurst wrote how her husband was “known as ‘The Legend’ at home in Wilmslow”, in the UK, but that he “was better known as ‘Lightning’ here in Küçükerenköy for his not-sospeedy pouring of a round of drinks at Roots Bar”.

She added: “Ian was known for driving our lovely old steed, the Land Rover, up hills, down dales, and sometimes a little too close to the edge of a ravine!”

Expressing her gratitude to the healthcare professionals who cared for her husband at the pandemic hospital in Lefkoşa, Mrs Luckhurst said: “Hannah, Josh, and I wish to thank the doctors who looked after him . . . for their unwavering commitment to his care and their phone calls and support for us every single day.”

Mrs Luckhurst said that “sadness does not explain our feelings right now” and that her husband’s passing has “left a massive gap in our lives”, before saying that Mr Luckhurst had “one life” and “lived it”.