Father-of-two Stewart Gilray, 51, died on Thursday after catching coronavirus in December. The games developer, from Scotland, had not had the jab due to his lifelong phobia of needles.
His wife Bec, 41, told the Daily Record: "Stewart had a serious fear of needles.
"In all seriousness, in 25 years he had one blood test.
"He avoided trying to go to the doctor's in case they ever needed to draw blood, but the truth is Stewart wasn't poorly in the 25 years I knew him.
"He was fit - he could have lost a stone or two like the rest of us - but he genuinely believed he was going to survive this virus because he was healthy.
"Before he was intubated he said to me: 'There's nothing to worry about. I'm going to be fine. I just need a little rest.'
"He went into hospital with low oxygen saturation and went from using an oxygen mask to needing intubated."
When Mr Gilray was admitted to hospital it was found he had a previously undiagnosed lung condition.
As Covid took hold he was put on a ventilator and into an induced coma.
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Mrs Gilray is now calling on other people who are unvaccinated to get the jab - even if they have a fear of needles like her husband.
She said: "I wouldn't not wish this on anyone, it's horrendous.
"Stewart was the most generous person and had no qualms about helping anybody.
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"He was dedicated to our kids, Darcey, three, and Elliot, 15.
"He loved his life, he loved what we had and what he built in his business.
"He wanted to retire early and spend more time with us - to be with the kids more.
"He had all these plans and Covid got him.
"Please, just get vaccinated."
Additional reporting by Jon Brady.