HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a young dad who died suddenly from a suspected brain haemorrhage.
Electrician and father-of-one Ashley Byrne, 22, from Hawarden, suffered a seizure at work and was rushed to hospital where doctors discovered cerebral bleeding.
He died on Sunday after a period in intensive care.
Mr Byrne leaves girlfriend Katie Ensall and their baby daughter, Lillia, who is six-months-old.
His mother Julie Waters, told the Leader: “He was the most loving, caring, inspirational, special, kind and helpful person.
“He was loved so much. He’d do anything for anybody. He was a wonderful person.”
A keen footballer who also enjoyed fishing, Mr Byrne also leaves father, Michael Byrne, brother Matthew, 24, and sister Johanna, 14.
The former Hawarden High School pupil moved to Mancot three years ago to live with Katie.
Katie said: “He was loving and caring. He told me a couple of weeks ago becoming a father was the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
“He was always showing his mates pictures of Lillia.”
A Manchester United fan, Mr Byrne played for several local football teams in his childhood including Sandycroft Junior School, Flintshire schoolboys and Hawarden Rangers.
Between the ages of 11 and 15 he also played on a trial basis for Everton, Manchester United and Tranmere Rovers.
As an adult he was a member of Mancot’s White Bear Football Club, whose match this Sunday has been cancelled out of respect.
Mr Byrne was also a member of the Prince Albert Angling Association, based in Macclesfield, and often went fishing with his father and brother.
“The three of us went fishing together and Ashley always caught more fish and bigger fish,” said Michael.
Mr Byrne worked as an electrician at Chester and District Housing Trust (CDHT), where he trained as an apprentice after leaving school.
He was treated at the Walton Hospital near Liverpool, where Lillia was christened on Sunday on the critical care unit before Mr Byrne died.
His family yesterday praised the support given to him at the hospital.
“We were overwhelmed with the care that was shown to Ashley and ourselves,” added Michael.