Sad news indeed. I was lucky enough to have met him and hang out with him at the first pinfest in Newcastle, great guy and a real asset to the pinball hobby.
He helped me out many years ago with computer cut stencils when i was restoring my Stern Dracula playfield for redoing some missing lettering.. he didn't want any payment for it.. i've never forgotten that kind gesture from him, the game is still sitting in my gameroom and will never be sold.
My condolences to his family, RIP Gav