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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ryan Thom

Dad, 23, who suddenly died in his sleep sent loving text to girlfriend night before

A young dad who suddenly died in his sleep has been described as the ‘funniest guy ever' by heartbroken friends and family.

Jack Grozier, 23, was found dead at his home in New Cumnock, Ayrshire last Thursday and leaves behind girlfriend Samantha Kelly and one-year-old son Harris.

Devastated friends and family have paid tribute to the doting father, with mum Fran Grozier, 60, dad Billy Grozier, 61, and big sister Kerry Alexander, 37, “lost for words", Daily Record reports.

Samantha Kelly, 23, Harris’ mum and Jack’s girlfriend of three years, said: “You never expect to lose your boyfriend, he text me the night before to say he’d speak to me in the morning.

“I was a mess first few days, I’ve started to accept it and remember all the wee things, all the amazing memories I have of him.

Jack pictured with girlfriend Samantha Kelly and one-year-old son Harris (Submitted /Ayrshire Live)

“It is the worst thing I’ve ever went through, he was my best pal, I’m struggling that he’s not there anymore.

“Harris is the exact double of his dad as well, he’ll live on through Harris. Jack is never going to be forgotten.

"He loved being a dad. He wanted to be the best version of himself for Harris. Harris was always smiling for him, he is definitely a daddy’s boy. They were two peas in a pod."

Samantha, who lives in Coylton with Harris, revealed her and Jack had been planning for the future together, and even talked about getting engaged and going on holiday.

Samantha and Jack had spoken about getting engaged (Submitted /Ayrshire Live)

“I never imagined my life without him. He’ll be missed so much," she said.

“We were first introduced through my sister – he used to say to my sister that he fancied me. I actually ignored a couple of messages to start off with. Then we met up after a week of talking.

“It was my first serious relationship, I was obsessed with him from the get-go. He was such a big dafty, I’m such a worrier about things and he just didn’t have a care in the world, he kept me calm.

"Jack just loved to make everybody laugh – there is nothing he wouldn’t do for his pals or his family. We just had the best time together."

Jack was due to start a new job delivering parcels for couriers Yodel after previously working as a bricklayer and as a binman.

He was also an avid Rangers fan and had planned to travel to Liverpool for the Champions League clash next week.

Jack and family celebrate dad Billy's 60th birthday bash (Submitted /Ayrshire Live)

The young dad played football himself for amateur clubs across Ayrshire including Cumnock Juniors Youth, Catrine AFC, Mauchline United AFC and his hometown club New Cumnock Community FC.

Big sister Kerry Alexander (Grozier) added: "We’re all lost for words and devastated. Jack was loving, but he was 100 mile an hour all the time.

“He was just my annoying wee brother, he is going to be huge loss to our family. With there being such an age gap, I got the brunt of the babysitting duties. But he did his fare share in return when I had my children.

“He was a great uncle, he absolutely adored his nieces. When he announced he was pregnant with his partner Sam I was over the moon for him. He was so excited to be a dad. He was a great dad, he took it like a duck to water. We are so proud of him.”

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