Vancouver Island dad, whose battle with COVID-19 inspired others to get vaccinated, dies

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – A Vancouver Island dad whose battle with COVID-19 inspired a campaign to convince others to finally get vaccinated, has passed away.

Josh Mellor got infected with the coronavirus at the end of summer. He died on Monday, leaving behind two young children — a toddler and a three-month-old — as well as his wife.

“This is so surreal, I keep thinking you’ll come home from a typical long day of work. I know you’ll be with us, protecting me and the girls everyday,” Josh’s wife, Miranda, wrote on social media Tuesday.

“I’ll hold you in my heart until we can be together again one day.”

According to his obituary, Josh was overwhelmed by the support he and his family received after he contracted COVID-19.

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The 39-year-old’s wife had spoken publicly about her husband’s battle with the virus in the weeks after he got sick, talking to the media with the hopes of encouraging others to get a “Jab for Josh.”

“I do feel for those people who are legitimately scared and have concerns about getting vaccinated, but they need to be having conversations with their trusted healthcare providers, and decide what ultimately is best for them,” Miranda wrote on Sept. 18.

The campaign gained steam. People shared images of themselves and family members, many of whom had been hesitant about getting the shot, on a Facebook page called ‘Josh’s Fan Club.’

“Thank you for encouraging others who are unvaccinated to do the right thing and get vaccinated!” wrote one person on Sept. 19. “Josh is a good example of the devastation this virus can cause to a young person and his/her family. I hope your negative experience results in a positive outcome for the community by bringing awareness to those who are ‘hesitant’ and increasing the vaccination rate significantly. And I hope Josh recovers and is home soon.”

Related video: Pregnant, unvaccinated people urged to get COVID shots

Josh’s passing is another sad and stark reminder of the importance of the jab, and why holding off can have consequences. Mellor was a Cowichan farmer who had asthma. He was reportedly on the fence about getting vaccinated, even though his wife got both doses.

He contracted the Delta variant at the end of August, and his condition deteriorated quickly. He ended up in the ICU at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria in early September.

Miranda posted regular updates about his battle, revealing he faced complications throughout, with his lungs, heart, and kidneys struggling. People began sharing their condolences with the Mellor family shortly after the man’s death.

Josh’s death came just days before his eldest daughter’s birthday, on Sept. 29.

A GoFundMe page had been set up for the Mellor family to help support them financially.

“Josh will be greatly missed by many. He held his many friendships very close to his heart. He was very shocked at the outpouring of community support for him and his family, and wanted to thank everyone for their involvement,” his obituary reads.