A pensioner died of a 'broken heart'
less than 24 hours after his wife passed away because they 'couldn't
live without eachother', their family said today.
Joseph White, 72, perished in his daughter's arms at home soon after Jean's fight against lung disease ended.
In a fitting tribute to the loving couple, family and friends will attend a double funeral today.
Mrs White, 70, died at Wrexham's Maelor Hospital on the morning of Thursday, April 4.
The couple's daughter, Tania Williams, said she had gone to spend the night with her father at his home in Rhosllanerchrugog, north Wales, after she found out her mother had died.
However, in the early hours of the following day, her father died, with Mrs Williams believing it was of a broken heart.
The 44-year-old said: 'He had been ill, but not for a while and seemed OK, but that night he just died in my arms. He died of a broken heart.
'It was really romantic and overwhelming - it was extremely sad but lovely.
'It was quite fitting that they went together, we used to say that they couldn't live with each other and couldn't live without each other.'
Mr and Mrs White were stalwarts in Rhosllanerchrugog and Mrs Williams said their death has saddened the whole community.
She said her mother had worked at Nightingale House Hospice for many years as a volunteer and had always cared for people, including her disabled brother Michael.
'I never heard mum say a bad word about anybody,' Mrs Williams added.
'She was the most wonderful and kind person. She lived for her family.'
Mr White was also well known in the community from his days as a Royal Welch Fusilier, where he was better known as Joey White or Chalky.
He was also a sawyer at the Wynnstay saw mill and a chef in the army and one of his proudest moments was cooking salmon for the investiture of Prince Charles in 1969.
'Dad loved the rugby, and was a big Wales supporter,' said Mrs Williams.
'He also loved Wrexham Football Club and would always sit in the kitchen and listen to them, not looking away from the wireless.'
The couple's son Anthony White, 46, said his dad was extremely passionate about his sport.
'Dad had been a Wrexham FC fan for 65 years and attended when the Kop was the Ashbank,' he said.
'When we went to Wembley to see Wrexham in the FA Trophy we phoned him during the penalty shoot-out and he was so happy when they won.'
The couple leave behind Tania and Anthony, as well as eight grandchildren Cara, 18, Dafydd, 18, Bethany, 16, Callum, 16, Jordon, 13, Jack, 13, Lucie, 11 and Tesni-Seren, eight.
Mrs Williams said: 'Mum and dad will be sadly missed by all their family and friends. Their death has left a massive hole in both our family and in the community.'
The double funeral will be held today in Rhosllanerchrugog followed by a committal at Pentrebychan Crematorium.
Joseph White, 72, perished in his daughter's arms at home soon after Jean's fight against lung disease ended.
In a fitting tribute to the loving couple, family and friends will attend a double funeral today.
Tragic: Jean and Joseph White died hours apart and their family say they couldn't live without eachother
The couple's daughter, Tania Williams, said she had gone to spend the night with her father at his home in Rhosllanerchrugog, north Wales, after she found out her mother had died.
However, in the early hours of the following day, her father died, with Mrs Williams believing it was of a broken heart.
The 44-year-old said: 'He had been ill, but not for a while and seemed OK, but that night he just died in my arms. He died of a broken heart.
'It was really romantic and overwhelming - it was extremely sad but lovely.
'It was quite fitting that they went together, we used to say that they couldn't live with each other and couldn't live without each other.'
Inseparable: Mr White had not been ill at the
time of his death, but could not go on without his beloved wife Jean,
his family said
She said her mother had worked at Nightingale House Hospice for many years as a volunteer and had always cared for people, including her disabled brother Michael.
'I never heard mum say a bad word about anybody,' Mrs Williams added.
'She was the most wonderful and kind person. She lived for her family.'
Mr White was also well known in the community from his days as a Royal Welch Fusilier, where he was better known as Joey White or Chalky.
He was also a sawyer at the Wynnstay saw mill and a chef in the army and one of his proudest moments was cooking salmon for the investiture of Prince Charles in 1969.
'Dad loved the rugby, and was a big Wales supporter,' said Mrs Williams.
'He also loved Wrexham Football Club and would always sit in the kitchen and listen to them, not looking away from the wireless.'
The couple's son Anthony White, 46, said his dad was extremely passionate about his sport.
'Dad had been a Wrexham FC fan for 65 years and attended when the Kop was the Ashbank,' he said.
'When we went to Wembley to see Wrexham in the FA Trophy we phoned him during the penalty shoot-out and he was so happy when they won.'
The couple leave behind Tania and Anthony, as well as eight grandchildren Cara, 18, Dafydd, 18, Bethany, 16, Callum, 16, Jordon, 13, Jack, 13, Lucie, 11 and Tesni-Seren, eight.
Mrs Williams said: 'Mum and dad will be sadly missed by all their family and friends. Their death has left a massive hole in both our family and in the community.'
The double funeral will be held today in Rhosllanerchrugog followed by a committal at Pentrebychan Crematorium.