Devastated family pays tribute to Dad; Outgoing family man had heart problems

Byline: EMMA KING

CAPTION(S):TRIBUTES have been paid to a dad-of-three who suddenly collapsed and died. It is understood that 43-year-old Mark Johnston died as a result of an enlarged heart - a problem he was unaware of.WITH HIS BOYS Mark with sons Liam, left, and Mark FAMILY MAN Mark Johnston, who collapsed and died, pictured with his daughter LeanneMark's funeral was held at West Road Crematorium on May 31."He was the first up on the dancefloor at a party. He lived life to the full. Nobody expected him to be taken from us at such a young age. I just can't believe he's gone. Life will never be the same.""Around Christmas time he decided to join the gym. It was something he'd wanted to do for a while and he really enjoyed it. I don't know if the exercise was what triggered his collapse.Mark, who was known by his friends as "Johnna" trained as an electrician after leaving school and worked for Newcastle City Council."He was so down to earth and straightforward. Mark would tell you it how it was. He was so friendly. He didn't have a bad bone in his body."But apparently you don't get any symptoms with an enlarged heart. Mark had been relatively healthy and he hadn't been unwell. That's why his death was so unexpected."The electrician passed away on May 22 at his mam's house in Walker, just round the corner from the house he shared with Dawn White, his partner of 21 years, and their three children."He was a popular man. He had a lot of friends who he went out drinking with often to the Crocketts Hotel, The Stack and The Jubilee in Walker.Dawn, who works as a cleaner at the Lightfoot Centre in Walker, said: "Mark was loud, boisterous, outgoing. He just loved having a laugh and a joke."He loved watching football and was a huge Newcastle United fan. He used to take our youngest son Liam to some games. He doted on his kids, Liam, 11, Mark, 14 and Leanne, 18.Dawn said: "Everyone has been devastated by his death. It feels like he's just gone away somewhere for a few days and I'm waiting for him to walk back through the door.

WITH HIS BOYS Mark with sons Liam, left, and Mark FAMILY MAN Mark Johnston, who collapsed and died, pictured with his daughter Leanne