A "fun-loving" dad died after collapsing at home while his wife made dinner in the kitchen.
Daniel Hicks, also known as Dan, returned home from work as normal on Tuesday February 16 and was talking to his wife Vicky while she made dinner.
The "gentle giant" from Latchford, Warrington, then went into the lounge to see his son, Cheshire Live reports.
As Vicky called him for his dinner there was a bang before Oliver shouted "there's something wrong with daddy".
The 42-year-old had suffered a haemorrhagic bleed, which after doing all they can, the hospital said was inoperable.
Dan tragically died 48 hours later on Thursday, February 18 from a bleed on the brain.
Tributes have been paid to the dad, whose death has left family heartbroken.
Paying tribute to Dan, Vicky's cousin, Elizabeth Totty said: "Dan was fit and healthy. He used to cycle each day to and from work, he used to boxercise and loved rugby.
"He was a big, gentle giant. Dan was the life and soul of the party, he was fun-loving and cheeky.
"Family was everything to him and he would always be there for anyone."
Elizabeth said the couple, who had been together for 16 years and married for 10, waited with "love and perseverance" for a child and conceived six-year-old Oliver through IVF.
The 45-year-old said Oliver was Dan's "whole world."
She added: "Dan and Vicky suffered a long time to conceive, but they were successful with IVF the first time round and then came Oliver.
"He is the absolute double of Dan, he is the twice the size of any other six-year-old and is just like him. Oliver was his world."
Elizabeth said Vicky is heartbroken and said she has described the situation as "surreal."
She said: "It's been surreal in Vicky's words, but Oliver has been a diamond and helped her. He has done really well in how he has handled it."
The Warrington dad worked at Fleet Parts, an auto parts store, in Woolston and was also interested in motorcycling.
Elizabeth has now set up a GoFundMe page to help Vicky and Oliver financially.
Writing on the fundraising page, she said: "Vicky and Dan were a normal couple with normal jobs.
"This has left not only a gaping hole in many lives but also financial worries for Vicky. Not to mention the added stress on now paying for a funeral.
"With that being said, please could we ask for a small donation from family, friends and even strangers to help at this awful time.
"All funds will go to Dan’s funeral and any remaining funds will help towards a memorial gift for Oliver to remember his father in a special way."
To donate to the GoFundMe page, please click here.
