A Leeds dad-of-six's death has caused “heartbreak” after his heart suddenly “stopped” while cycling in Roundhay Park.
Lee Thomas Woodriff, 36, died of a cardiac arrest on Friday, May 19. The Gipton man, who was known as Woody, has been praised for his kind generous nature and will be dearly missed.
His best pal Christopher Johnson said: “He was funny, very outgoing and he’d help anyone. He’d give someone his last pound, that’s the kind of person he was. He liked a bit of fishing and beer, like any typical adult. He was good at fixing cars.
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“It’s very upsetting, for his kids as well. A lot of people will be hurt from it. It’s heartbreaking. He was a very good friend and we’d been there for each other for more or less all of our lives. It’s like losing my right-hand man.”
Christopher was shocked to hear about Woody’s cardiac arrest and thought he was going to “pull through” when he saw him on life-support in hospital. “He was very young,” added Christopher. "His life’s just been taken, like that.”
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He’s said the family is currently “staying together as a unit and trying to be strong” while they come to terms with Woody’s death and make funeral arrangements. Christopher said: “They seem to be holding it all in at the minute. It will probably hit them at the funeral.”
The funeral is set to take place at Cottingley Hall Crematorium, 10.45am on June 7. Christopher is trying to raise funds to help the family with the unexpected financial impact of Woody’s death. A GoFundMe page to help the family can be accessed here.
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