Sam Faro: Dad Reuben pays tribute after tragic Covid death

Sam Faro, a football coach with Worthing Town, was only 33 when he died after contracting coronavirus.

He had suffered from asthma for years and had been in and out of hospital with his condition before contracting Covid.

Reuben Faro, from Broadwater in Worthing, said his son had narrowly missed out on getting a jab.

The 61-year-old said: “He had a very bad case of Covid, and it was described by a doctor as one of the worst they had.

“It is sad on so many levels because one hand he missed out on having the vaccination by only a month, which could have lessened the effects.”

Albion fan Sam Faro with his friends and family

Sam caught the virus on Christmas Day, he was put on an ecmo machine - extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - and transferred to London for further treatment.

After 65 days being treated, the decision was made that Sam’s lungs had recovered as much as possible and he was taken off the machine and returned to Worthing.

Reuben said: “Unfortunately, he started deteriorating day by day. The doctors told me he was dying a bit every single day.

"Sam was partially sedated and we did not get much of a chance to speak with him, although we spoke to him.”

“The doctors then told us that it was not going well and that his carbon dioxide levels were too high and really you need to let him go and we did.”

• READ MORE: 'An all-round lovely bloke' - tributes to football coach who died from Covid-19

The Albion supporter, who worked in catering and coached youngsters at football, died at the end of last month.

Reuben said he had a big impact on the hospital staff - and that this was an example of how popular his son was.

He said: “Everyone was gutted, the doctors, nurses were crying.

"Getting through it has been very hard, especially this last week, it’s so hard. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

Reuben has set up a just giving page in memory of Sam, who was a referee as well as a youth coach.

The page has been made to support National Asthma which has raised £3,000 so far from people who have donated.

Sam Faro supported Albion and was a coach for Worthing Town

Reuben added: “He would always tell stories of children he had sent off in matches, including their parents at times. However, he never got upset with people and always enjoyed the banter.

"He was one of the people that linked everyone together and was a guy that would keep people together.”

Information on how to donate can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/reuben.faro/posts/10157977195108093