The grieving widow of a doting Angus dad-of-three who died suddenly at the age of 41 has spoken of her unimaginable loss.
Teasha Mackenzie, 38, said her childhood sweetheart Billy was her first and only love who had made her happier than she thought possible.
Mr Mackenzie, from Balmirmer, just outside Carnoustie, was described as “the greatest husband, dad, brother and uncle” after he passed away in the wake of a heart attack at home which was brought on by a blocked artery.
The family paid tribute to the neighbour who gave him CPR and the paramedics who brought him back to life for a time.
They also praised the care they received in their darkest hour at Ninewells Hospital’s intensive care unit and the support they have been given by family and friends.
“He was my first and only love,” said Mrs Mackenzie, who had been together with Mr Mackenzie since she was 16.
“My life began when I met Billy.
“He was loving and patient and he was always there for me.
“He made me happier than I thought was possible.”
She described him as a “dedicated family man” who doted on his three children Declin, 20, Alicia, 16, and Joan, 7.
The couple were married for 16 years and Mrs Mackenzie said her children had been a tower of strength at what has been the worst time of her life.
Mr Mackenzie suffered a massive heart attack at home the day after returning from a family holiday to Flamingo Land in Yorkshire.
Daughter Joan found him on the floor and neighbour Rab MacDonald — who had just popped in for a cup of tea — gave CPR until the ambulance arrived.
He was brought back to life by paramedics before being blue-lighted to Ninewells Hospital where he was placed in an induced coma.
Mr Mackenzie, who had previously put chest pains down to indigestion, eventually had his life support machine turned off after four nights.
However, he bravely fought on for another 12 hours before he died — surrounded by his family — on Tuesday morning.
Born in Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, Mr Mackenzie moved to Carnoustie aged 5.
He attended Panbride Primary and Arbroath Academy before working in the offshore industry on leaving school.
He had to give up work latterly on medical grounds but previously his jobs included working as a mechanic and a market trader.
A car lover, he enjoyed restoring old vehicles and he was also a proud Mason and member of Lodge Dalhousie 679 in Carnoustie.
Mr Mackenzie died on the day his brother Steve turned 46.
Steve, from Carnoustie, said: “I’m just lost for words — I still can’t believe it.
“I still expect him to walk through the door.
“If I ever had a problem, Billy was always there at the drop of a hat.
“Nothing was too much trouble — he was selfless.”
Sister-in-law Catriona, 38, said the family was indebted to everyone at the intensive care unit “from the cleaners up to the consultants”.
She said: “For what was the worst time for us, they made it as easy as they could.
“The care was unbelievable — it was so respectful and dignified.”
Donations for the ICU at Ninewells will be received at Mr Mackenzie’s funeral at Dundee Crematorium on Tuesday.
