Popular Island DJ and music promoter Paul Sofianos has died only three weeks after his 43rd birthday.

Mr. Sofianos passed away yesterday morning. Diagnosed with kidney disease in 2004, he was undergoing dialysis three times a week while he awaited a kidney transplant.

Last night the social networking site Facebook was flooded with an outpouring of grief from hundreds of friends and relatives.

In a poignant last posting, Mr. Sofianos wrote on his page on Sunday: “Paul Sofianos loves his boo with all his heart and is praying that she knows how much he loves her.”

Heartbroken girlfriend Jodi Corbett said last night: “Paul was a caring, loving, special person to me, and I will miss him terribly.

“He truly gave his heart to everybody. He was so special to my girls and me.”

She said Mr. Sofianos was very caring to her two daughters, Jessica, nine, and Emily, 14.

“He loved them dearly,” she said. “This is a real shock to all of us.”

Mr. Sofianos’s sister, lawyer Maria Sofianos, was too upset to talk yesterday.

A passionate music fan, he was one of the three promoters behind 441 Productions which staged concerts in Bermuda showcasing local and overseas talent. Fellow 441 promoter and long-time friend John Burcher said: “Everyone loved Paul. He was a fantastic friend, he cared about everybody and was such a big-hearted person.

“I’ve known him since 1987 when we worked together at the Rum Runner club. It was always a pleasure to work with Paul. Everything he did, it was from the heart. He was a truly great friend.”

Mr. Burcher said several overseas musicians have contacted him offering to “dedicate something” in his memory.

“441 will still be around and we will put something together in Paul’s name,” he said. The third partner of 441 Productions, Andrew Holmes, was off Island last night.

Shawn Brady, Canadian singer with U2 tribute band Elevation, said on Mr. Sofianos’s Facebook page: “You were one of a kind. We will all miss you Paul.”

He said the Canadian band would dedicate their show in Halifax this Saturday to him.

Among the hundreds of other messages paying tribute to the late promoter and entertainer were comments such as: “Paul was a bright light to all those who were fortunate to know him”, “Bermuda has lost a great man”, and “Heaven has truly found another angel”.

Mr. Sofianos was diagnosed with kidney disease in the summer of 2004 and in December of that year, both his kidneys failed.After almost a month in hospital he became a dedicated campaigner to raise awareness of kidney disease and organ donation.

He also used his skills as a DO and concert promoter to raise funds for the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital dialysis unit.

Marianne Herbert, Senior Dialysis Nurse and Renal Transplant Coordinator, said yesterday: “Staff members and patients at the Beresford Swan Dialysis Unit were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Paul’s passing. He was always looking out for the interests of other dialysis patients.

“He donated TVs with DVD players to the unit so other patients could be entertained during treatment. Paul was a strong advocate for organ donation and looked for every opportunity to promote this important subject.”

Mr. Sofianos attended Saltus, Warwick Academy and Fryeburg Academy in Maine, US, before studying hotel management at Bermuda College.

He was a radio presenter for Mix 106 at DeFontes Broadcasting Company from 1995 to 2000 and also worked at Oasis nightclub and Rum Runner.

From November 1998 he worked for Gosling’s for ten years, and was a Brand Manager for Gosling’s Export Bermuda.

Charles Gosling, Hamilton mayor, described him as a good friend, and said: “Paul was a larger-than-life character. He was such a great guy to work with.”

Former co-worker and friend Antonio Belvedere, 23, said: “Paul was a real strong-willed person. He was very outgoing and you wouldn’t know he was sick unless he told you. He didn’t let his illness get him down.

“He loved entertainment and fishing, and he loved his English bulldogs — they were like children to him.”