A dad of four who 'loved life' died on his 52nd birthday on a family holiday in Greece.
Phil Boyd, from Bootle, was on holiday in Kos with his wife-to-be Lucy Garrett and family when he suffered from a heart attack in his hotel room.
The tragedy struck on October 19, just three days before the couple were due to get married.
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Tributes to Phil have poured in since the ECHO shared the news of his death last night.
Taking to social media, Rebecca Leyland said: "How tragic heart goes out to his family and friends."
Casey Boyd said: "My beautiful Uncle Phil. I cant believe you're gone, I miss you."
Rob Blu said: "Heartbreaking story - life can be so cruel. Condolences to the family."
Phil, who was described as a man who "loved life", leaves behind his partner of 21 years Lucy and four children - Rebecca, 29, Sophie, 20, Jimmy, 16, and Teddy, aged six.
Friend Beverley Longsden told the ECHO: "Phil was dead easy going and happy, he just loved life. He loved his music and having a sing along when he was doing a plastering job.
"He had a massive heart attack on his birthday and passed away there and then. He would have been 52 that day."
Phil and Lucy, 38, who live in Walsall, West Midlands, had originally planned to get married in Mexico but their plans were put on hold due to coronavirus restrictions.
During this time, in June 2020, Phil suffered from a heart attack and had a stent fitted.
The couple later rearranged their wedding to take place in Kos, Greece, where they flew out on October 13, just days before Phil died.
The family are now fundraising to bring Phil's body home as this is not covered by their travel insurance after his pre-existing medical condition was not disclosed to the company.
Beverley said Lucy is "broken" since Phil's death, and described their relationship as a true "love story."
Beverley said: "She met him when she was 16 - he was older than her. He worked for the fair and she literally fell hook line and sinker for him and ran away to be with him.
"They were always smiling, always laughing. They spent every penny they've got on enjoying life."
All money raised in donations will go towards getting Phil's body back to the UK and his funeral, and to support the family at this time.
If you would like to donate to the GoFundMe page click here.
