Huesman died Sunday night after losing his battle to cancer. This Dayton, Ohio man had a heart transplant back in 1978 becoming the nation's longest surviving person with the same transplanted heart

"His heart was much more than the physical instrument that he had in him," said long time friend Chuck Bertini.

Bertini later became Vice President of the Huesman Heart Foundation. He said Tony had a heart of gold. Huesman received his heart from a young man who died in a motorcycle accident.

ONN first met and Interview Tony back in 2006, where he openly talked about his journey, "it was just like a new life actually, because I had never given up hope but it sure wasn't looking good."

But ever since the transplant his life was better than good. He lived life to the fullest, married the woman of his dreams and created the Huesman Heart Foundation, an organization dedicated to educating children on the importance of living a healthy life.

Co-Vice President of that foundation Susan Zimmerman says Tony's love for life is something to admire, "he was always in the moment, I think we can all learn so much from that. We are always and will always continue to be inspired by that!"

Bertini couldn't agree more, and as he mourns the loss of one his best friends, he says the world has lost a true fighter, one who lost his battle to cancer.

"He was the consummate fighter, nothing got him down. His attitude overcame all of his physical challenges," said Bertini.

Which is why Huesman lived life to the fullest, "as a recipient I can only say thank you!"

Huesman was 51 years old.

You can visit Tony's Huesman Heart Foundation Web site for more information about the organization and it's programs.

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