Today we look at the life of John Puleikis, in the fifth of a series of articles remembering those lost to coronavirus over the past year. We’d like to thank the families and friends who have been in touch with the Stray Ferret to share precious memories of their loved ones.

John Peter Puleikis was born on November 15, 1943 in Klaipėda in Lithuania. He died aged 77 on November 30, 2020. John was the 100th person to die from coronavirus at Harrogate District Hospital.

John was a much loved husband, father, brother, grandad and friend.

When John was born the country was under Nazi occupation and later, in January 1945 it was invaded by the Russians.

Hundreds of people lost their lives, and John's parents knew they had to escape to ensure their children's future. His father went first and then John, his mother and his three siblings fled on foot when he was just two years old.

John's son recalls his Dad telling him they once stopped by a turnip field to feed his baby brother who later died of starvation.

The family finally found a home in Hull and reunited with their father in 1947.

His good friend, Dev Barber, said John's early life "shaped him into the most loyal, helpful and friendly man".

At his funeral, his son said his dad encompassed the Benjamin Franklin saying "out of adversity comes opportunity".

After going to school in Leeds, John settled in the city and began working mending sewing machines.

It was there he met his wife, Tricia, and went on to have a son and daughter.

"A family man through and through" John and his family settled in Pateley Bridge and opened a fish shop.

A few years later, the family moved to Knaresborough and opened 'The Fresh Fish Shop' in town. He later opened another on Beulah Street in Harrogate.

In the spring of 1977 street parties were organised across the country to celebrate the Queen's silver jubilee. John and Tricia were unaware that this would be the day they would meet lifelong friends.

On that day, John and Tricia met six other couples while partying in the street. The bonds formed on that day would span 45 years and take them on incredible adventures as far away as Las Vegas.

John knew better than most how difficult it can to adjust to a new country and learn a new language. Whilst in Knaresborough he befriended a Lithuanian family to support them as they adjusted.

One young man, Auris, was welcomed into the friendship group. Alongside his two best friends Mick and Doug the four of them enjoyed many evenings in local pubs watching their beloved Leeds United play.

In his later years, John shut the chip shops and did some handy man work. He was a man that did "anything for anyone" and was even working on his neighbour's garden the weeks before his passing.

Both Tricia and John tested positive for coronavirus. Tricia came down with a cold but John became very unwell.

Dev remembers video calling him in hospital on Tuesday and said he looked really well but by Thursday the "change was remarkable". Despite, his worsening condition John continued to look ahead promising his friends they'd be back to Vegas in no time.

Unfortunately this wasn't the case and John died the following week.

John's story shows his strength and resilience, fighting against all odds to provide a stable home for his family and enjoy times with loving friends. Dev said he is "greatly missed by all of us".