Leading Seaman Brandon South is being remembered for a heart and a sense of humour as big as his stature.

The 36-year-old Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt sailor died in a hospital in Tanzania on Monday. The navy released his name Thursday with few details about the circumstances surrounding his death.

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Canadian Military Police are working with authorities in Dar Es Salaam to investigate, the navy said.

Family, friends and colleagues paid tribute to South as news of his death spread.

“I was gutted when I heard. I just saw him in December at the base. He was excited to get back to sea,” said chief petty officer 2nd class John Robb. He knew South for about a decade and described him as a gregarious family man. “He was a big guy, about six-four, but was gentle and go-lucky,” he said.

“I’m in shock. Brandon was a great guy that was always positive and hilarious to be with. He will be missed by so many. My condolences to all his family and friends,” Mike Johnson wrote on Facebook.

South grew up in Windsor, Ont., where much of his family still lives. He joined the military in 2000 and was a sonar operator on HMCS Regina. The ship is part of Operation Artemis, an eight-month international counterterrorism and maritime-security mission in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

South was with a group of sailors at a hotel when he collapsed and was taken to hospital. He was just hours from catching a flight home to Victoria on scheduled leave to see his family when he died.

He leaves behind a partner and two young children.

HMCS Regina Commander Dan Charlebois said in a statement the ship’s crew, still on deployment, “is mourning the loss of one of our own, and we wish to express our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends ashore who are mourning with us today.”

He described South as well-liked and respected and said the HMCS Regina family will lean on each other for support and comfort.

“He had a heart that was every bit as big as he was, and his ever-present smile and good nature will be genuinely missed by all those who knew him. To say that he was a beloved shipmate would be an understatement,” said Charlebois, adding the navy is arranging to have South repatriated back to Canada. “We will provide the best possible support for his family and colleagues, and ensure that they have access to the best resources available during this very difficult time.”

Jon Chabun from the civilian non-profit Military Family Resource Centre said they have made themselves available for grief counselling and support for family, friends and colleagues.

spetrescu@timescolonist.com