A ‘loving’ Leeds dad tragically died of a suspected heart attack on Christmas day while he was enjoying the festive occasion with his family.
The late Gareth Blenkins, 40 and from Armley, had nipped out for a cigarette while the evening was winding down. He’d been spending the day with family in Cottingley.
After he’d come back in, the father-of-one was “laughing and joking but then he just clutched his chest and fell to the floor and started having a fit,” says heartbroken cousin Damien Sharpe. Gareth, known as Gaz to his friends, was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary.
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“But it was too late,” added Damien, tearfully. “His brain went for too long without oxygen. Unfortunately, he didn’t come round from it.”
Gareth leaves behind a 15-year-old son who he “lived for”, says Damien. The devastated cousin spoke of how much of a “loving” father the 40-year-old painter and decorator was.
Damien said: “He was strong, he’d do anything for anybody, very protective. Sometimes he’d be quite shy but if he noticed you were sad, he’d always say ‘Do you need a Blenkins cuddle?’ I’ll never forget those words.”
Damien, 42, says Gareth was like a little a brother to him as they were raised together. He added that the Armley man was a big fan of Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos and he’d just celebrated his 40th birthday with his friends in Malaga only last month.
Damien, who works as a lorry driver, has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help raise money for Gareth’s funeral. Damien says Gareth had put all his money towards his son and hadn’t prepared any life insurance or any means to pay for a funeral.
He said: “I know he was loved and I know he touched a lot of people’s hearts. I just want to help the family out – especially with this happening over Christmas. Nobody expected this to happen.” The fundraiser can be accessed here.
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