A DOTING dad who dedicated his working life to saving people has died after suffering a heart attack.

Experienced ambulance technician Simon Corfield fell critically ill at his home in Bury, on August 13 and died several hours later in Fairfield General Hospital. His wife, Sharon, and the eldest of their two sons, Matthew (19) were by his bedside, along with his only sister, Hilary, when he died.

The 46-year-old spent all of his 24-year-old long ambulance career based at the Ramsbottom station.

As a mark of respect, Mr Corfield will be buried with full honours tomorrow when his colleagues will wear full dress uniform and form a guard of honour as the funeral cortege makes its way to St Joseph's RC Church in Peter Street, Bury, at 9.30am followed by a private burial ceremony at Bury Cemetery.

Mrs Corfield led the tributes to her husband of 23-years. She said: "Simon absolutely loved his job.

"He loved being able to help people, to do something to ease their suffering.

"He was also a doting father to our two sons and was proud of everything they did. Matthew and Ben (16) are both devastated.

"It does not seem real that he has gone."

Mr Corfield attended Holly Mount Primary and St Gabriel's RC High schools, and studied the history of art at Rochdale Art College.

He went on to study the same subject at Exeter University but left after six months to take up a job with the railways. He applied to join the ambulance service and spent six weeks on a training course at Ladybridge, Bolton.

Mr Stuart Rankine, area operations manager for Bury and Rochdale's ambulance service said: "Simon always displayed enthusiasm and professionalism.

"It was a big part of his life. He was a caring individual and was always eager to help. He will be sadly missed but we will remember the good times that we all shared together."

Mr Corfield was a keen golfer and a member of Lowes Golf Club in Walmersley.