A 'big family man' who worked day and night tragically died in the early hours of the morning while on a well-earned holiday in Tenerife. Gareth Moores, from Royton, Oldham, had flown out to the Canary Islands last month with his wife Colette and 19-year-old son Jake.
The dad-of-two and stepdad-of-two, 48, spent much of the fourth day by the pool before eating and watching entertainment at a resort in Santa Cruz. At around 4am the following morning, Colette heard her husband yell, before he fell to the ground and died.
Colette, 56, told the Manchester Evening News : "You pack your suitcases, get in your taxi and off you trot to the airport. You don't think you will end up fetching one of your own.
"We'd had a great time. Then at 4am he just shouted out, fell on the floor and pretty much died straight away. My son works for Ryanair and luckily with his training, he started CPR. But there was nothing there.
"By the time medics came they worked on him for an hour, but that was that. He was only 48 - there were no symptoms, nothing. He'd just built a big extension for us. It's just mad."
Colette says her husband was excited for the holiday, which began on November 8, and he was 'ready for it' after working on the extension at their home. He worked at Royton butchers Shane's Quality Meats, and Colette recalls him setting off for 12-hour days at 4.30am.
He previously also worked in an auxiliary role at Dr Kershaw's Hospice for two or three evenings a week. While working in a sandwich shop before being a butcher, Colette says her husband would make sure children from families who were struggling would get a butty.
The couple had been together for 28 years and married for 20. Together they had children Jake, 19, and Lillie, 18, while Gareth was also step-dad to Leanne, 38, and Ashleigh, 35.
"I think I'm still trying to process it," Colette said. "I keep waiting for the door to open with him coming in, shouting.
"He never left the house without a kiss on the cheek or stroking my arm. All five of us would get 'good morning, I love you, have a nice day', without fail."
The family have received an outpouring of love from people who knew Gareth, receiving hundreds of messages including kind words from the loved ones of those he helped at Dr Kershaw's. "The messages are amazing, it's really helped us," said Colette.
"I can't thank everybody enough for the support they've given us. We had 23 bouquets of flowers sent to the house."
Colette has also thanked TUI for helping with arrangements to bring Gareth home, following his death in the early hours of November 12. Gareth's inquest was opened at Rochdale Coroners Court this morning (December 2).
His death was described in court as 'unascertained', with further investigation work to take place. The inquest was adjourned until January 23 next year for a review.
A fundraiser has been set up to support the family ahead of Gareth's funeral. Find out more here.
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