A daughter has paid tribute to her much-loved dad, who died unexpectedly earlier this month.
Kevin Delea died at the age of 76, after suffering a brain haemorrhage at his home in Kirkby. The dad was rushed to Aintree Hospital, where he died.
Born in Anfield, Kevin settled in Kirkby with his wife Grace. His funeral will take place at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in the town on May 3.
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Before the funeral, Kevin's daughter Andrea Delea, 55, wanted to pay tribute to her dad.
Andrea told the ECHO: "My dad was a massive family man. I've got a brother who is a little older than me - Kevin JR.
"He was in an accident when he was 18, so he had brain damage. So a lot of my parents' lives were kind of dedicated to Kevin JR.
"They took us out on adventures every weekend, we'd go to the beach or to the park. Every weekend he made an effort, even though he worked six days a week as a roofer."
In retirement, Kevin was a big part of the Bichon Dog Walkers Club, which was started in Crosby by Andrea. The group met regularly to walk their dogs and Kevin, who had two dogs Benji and Harry, made plenty of friends through it.
Andrea said: "He lived for his little dogs. People who saw his death announcement said they always saw him walking his dogs. Even when he went to the shops, the dogs went with him.
"I think we've got 2,200 members now. We started it off and my dad was the eldest member.
"Hail, rain or snow, he'd be there. He made loads of friends, he'd start chatting to people and the people who he met would then come to the group on their own, even if they didn't have a dog - just so they could enjoy the company."
Andrea said her dad, who died on Good Friday (April 7), made a big impression on everyone he met. His absence is felt in Heather Close, the Kirkby street on which he lived, but the family hope to give him a fitting send-off next week.
Andrea added: "The kids in the street have all messaged me saying they can't believe the 'Grandad of Heather Close' has died.
"He was a properly lovely man. He never asked for anything from anyone, worked all his life and it is just so gutting for him to go in that way."
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