Tributes were paid today to a writer, campaigner and senior figure in Liverpool's Jewish community who has died suddenly.
Dan Kay, 45, worked tirelessly on behalf of families and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster, and was honorary secretary of Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation at Princes Road Synagogue.
A former ECHO journalist who pioneered digital journalism in the newsroom and helped lead this newspaper's coverage of the Hillsborough legal proceedings, he was more recently a regular contributor to the ECHO's sports team, sharing his deep love of Liverpool FC and its history with readers.
READ MORE: 97 Candles Burn Bright: the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster remembered
Dan worked with the late Anne Williams's daughter Sara to co-write With Hope In Her Heart, a powerful account of the late Anne's fight for justice for her son Kevin, 15, and the other Liverpool supporters unlawfully killed at Hillsborough. Throughout his life he was a champion for social justice and those in need.
Today his uncle Steven Waldman led the tributes to Dan, whose compassion, empathy and concern for others touched countless lives in Liverpool and beyond.
Mr Waldman told the ECHO: "I doubt there is a more decent person than Daniel.
"He was a giving, supportive, loving person. He cared for society, he cared for Liverpool Football Club and he had a strong social conscience. He wanted to work with people in need, that was his plan.
"He had the ability to listen to people and provide support. He was a wonderful son, supportive to his mother and father. He gave understanding and support to my mother, his grandmother, Edna Waldman and to his grandfather Jack. He was a totally giving person."
Among Dan's many achievements as a journalist was running the ECHO's live coverage of the fresh Hillsborough inquests, which concluded that those who died on April 15, 1989 were unlawfully killed. Dan also worked meticulously to compile individual tributes to those who lost their lives, spending time with many of the families affected over the years and campaigning passionately on their behalf.
He produced visual tribute 97 Candles Burn Bright, a lasting memorial to the 97.
Sara Williams said Dan was her "best friend" and had become part of the family through his support and campaigning on her behalf.
She said: "He had a heart of gold, he would do anything for anyone. It is just such a shock, he was like one of the family and we will all miss him so much."
Schoolfriend Saul Marks said Dan, from Childwall, would be much missed in the city's Jewish community.
Mr Marks, senior warden at Liverpool Old Hebrew Congregation, said: "We are in shock at the sudden and unexpected loss of our honorary secretary, Dan Kay. Judaism was an important part of his life and one which he sought to maintain after the loss of his parents and the grandparents who helped raise him.
"He served two stints as a charitable trustee and he brought a new level of professionalism to the role of honorary secretary since 2018. On a personal level, I'll miss our conversations about our beloved cricket and our shared memories of Kingsmead School in Hoylake, where he was active in many sports and activities.
"May his dear soul rest in peace."
Also among those paying tribute today were Charlotte Hennessy, who was just six years old when her dad James, 29, from Ellesmere Port, died in the Hillsborough disaster.
She told the ECHO: "Dan has become more like a brother to me and my husband James, and more like an uncle to our four sons, who are just heartbroken that he is not here anymore.
"He was just the most selfless, most compassionate, loveable human being."
Charlotte said maintaining live feeds of coverage from the Hillsborough inquests was one of Dan's most important contributions, and that throughout the inquests he checked in daily on families to make sure they were informed.
She added: "Those feeds were a lifeline. When we were having bad days with our mental health and struggling, he would always check in and put us first."
Everton fan Steve Kelly, whose 38-year-old brother Michael died at Hillsborough, worked with Dan on countless fundraising initiatives.
He and Dan formed a close bond, recently attending Tranmere Rovers matches on a regular basis. Steve said his friend was a "warm-hearted, kind person."
He added: "Wherever you went with Dan he was talking to someone, and they were always smiling because they were talking to Dan."
Steve added: "I would just want to say to him, thank you for being Dan."
Hillsborough survivor Val Yates said Dan had been equally supportive to survivors as to the families.
She said: "He was such a fantastic bloke. Everybody loved him.
"He was such a sweet, kind, fantastic, wonderful man. I am so devastated for his family, and for him. He is such a huge loss."
Liverpool ECHO editor Maria Breslin said: "Everyone at the Echo is devastated by the loss of Dan. He was the most humble, kind and gentle man and, despite his modesty, a really good journalist. I worked with Dan closely for many years and he taught me so much.
"Dan had an encyclopaedic knowledge of Liverpool FC and his nostalgia-inspired reads were much loved by our audience. He also had a keen sense of justice and took the lead on much of our Hillsborough coverage. We couldn’t have wished for a more passionate or knowledgeable reporter to cover a story of such importance.
"Dan achieved so much in his life and will be missed terribly by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts today are with his family and very many friends."
Liverpool ECHO head of football Joe Rimmer said: "Dan was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of everyone lucky enough to have worked with him. His love for this city was unmatched. Dan was Scouse and proud, and he championed this place like no other.
"He was a sports fanatic and his love for all three football clubs, Everton, Tranmere and his beloved Liverpool, was unrivalled. And that shone through in his writing.
"He was known for his knowledge and ability to recall even the smallest details of any game, player or event in LFC history.
"Dan worked tirelessly with the Hillsborough families and his work here, often behind the scenes, was so important in their campaign for justice.
"He was generous and kind to all who crossed paths with him. He was just such a lovely man and he will be missed dearly by his colleagues and friends."
A date has not yet been confirmed for Dan's funeral, although it is expected to take place at Broadgreen Jewish Cemetery.
