A FORMER RAF electrician described as a “quiet hero” has been given a full military funeral.

Sgt Andy Fortuna who lived in Spinning Avenue, Blackburn, served in the Falklands, Balkans and Iraq in the RAF and Territorial Army.

The 50-year-old returned from a recent tour in Kenya to be treated for cancer and died on Friday, June 5.

Yesterday around 60 mourners attended his funeral at St Alban’s Church, Larkhill where a folded Union Flag was formally pres-ented to his widow Naomi. The couple had met and married in Kenya and she had only arrived in Britain last month.

A uniformed rifle party fired shots as the expert electrician was buried at Pleasington Cemetery.

Ian Turner, who served with Mr Fortuna in the 75 Engineer Regiment of the Territorial Army, paid tribute to his close friend of over 10 years, who worked as a delivery driver for Thwaites Brewery when he was not serving overseas.

Mr Turner, 47, who lives in Liverpool, said: “He was a fantastic servant to his country. He loved the driving job, but he had itchy feet and whenever the call came up he would do that.

“He could turn his hand to just about anything, but he was always modest. He was just a quiet hero.”

Mr Fortuna was an expert electrician, a skill he put to good use in the forces, and was also a keen photographer.

Born in Salford, he moved to Blackburn eight years ago where he was living with his sister.

He left the RAF as a corporal after 12 years and joined the Territorial Army in 1988. His honours included being awarded medals from Nato and in recognition of his service in Iraq.

Mr Turner added: “We will all miss him.”