Family’s grief as ‘amazing dad’ dies at 34
TRIBUTES have been paid to a Tarleton man with “a heart of gold” who died from coronavirus.
Alex Lennie, 34, lost his life on April 18 at the Royal Liverpool Hospital after a short illness with the virus.
Alex, who had many friends in Southport, was described as a ‘fantastic dad’ to daughter Bella and was fondly remembered as dozens of heartfelt messages poured in after his death.
According to best friend Bradley Darnell, Alex had been “fit and healthy” before contracting the virus and had no underlying health conditions.
He leaves behind his heartbroken family including daughter Bella, who “he would do anything for.”
Paying tribute, Bradley, 20, from Dovecot, Liverpool, described Alex as “a funny, kind and caring man.”
He said: “He cared about everyone and would always be there for you, he had a heart of gold. I can’t even explain how much his daughter Bella meant to him.
“He would drop everything for her, he was an amazing dad.”
Bradley, who has been working at Southport Hospital since the start of the pandemic to do deep cleans of the coronavirus wards, said he last heard from Alex two weeks before his death.
He said: “He messaged me two weeks ago and said don’t go into work because I’m on 60% oxygen in the Royal with this horrible illness.
“I thought he was messing, I said ‘you what’ and he sent me a selfie of himself on oxygen.
“I didn’t speak to him after that but his brother sent me updates everyday on how he was doing.”
Bradley said: “I’ve been told since that he’d messaged his mum saying he was going to fight for Bella because he wanted to be there for her.
“We thought he was getting better but obviously he wasn’t.
“Everyone is absolutely devastated.”
Alex was well known as the bar manager at Kingdom nightclub in Liverpool and also worked at Skelmersdale-based logistics firm Kammac, as well as Barron Wood Distribution in Much Hoole.
He was well known around both Southport and Tarleton, where he attended Tarleton High School, now known as Tarleton Academy.
In a statement, the school said it was “truly saddened to hear the news”, adding: “We remember Alex as a young man with a great sense of humour and a big heart. To Alex’s family and friends, we offer our warmest condolences; we are deeply sorry for your loss.
“Please know we are thinking of you during this difficult time and where we are if you need us.”
In a post on the Facebook page of Southport-based amateur football team Portland FC, Malcolm Rimmer wrote: “Portland FC has long disbanded but lads still keep in touch and “Lennie” was one of ours.
“Alex kept in touch through Facebook and had many friends through football of which I’m glad to say I was one.
“The old Portland pub days, football presentations at the Birkdale Labour Club and later on family celebrations at Mere Brow Bowling Club meant Alex stayed in touch. He will be sadly missed by us all.”
To help raise money for Alex’s daughter and family, Bradley has set up an online fundraising page. To donate, visit justgiving. com/crowdfunding/bradleydarnell-1