Family left devastated following sudden death of Colne father-of-three (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Family left devastated following sudden death of Colne father-of-three
11:30am Thursday 20th September 2012 in News
By Chris Gee, Reporter
TRIBUTES Peter Rycroft
A DAD-OF-THREE collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack in his kitchen.
Peter Rycroft, 40, collapsed at his home in Varley Street, Colne.
He was taken to hospital by paramedics but was pronounced dead.
His devastated wife Joanne, 37, said: “Peter was everything to us and now he’s been snatched away so suddenly, so unfairly. I’ve lost my husband, my best friend and the person I expected to spend the rest of my life with.”
Joanne said the suddenness of her husband of 15 years’ death had left her family 'devastated' and 'unable to come to terms with the scale of our loss'.
He also leaves sons Ben, 15, Matthew, 12, and Steph, 19, his daughter from a previous relationship.
Describing him as a 'perfect father', Joanne said: "He loved his children dearly and took pride in all their achievements, whether they were large or small. It hurts me to think how much we will all miss him.
“It’s those straightforward, everyday family moments when his loss hits me most.
“Peter was hard working and uncomplicated. He just enjoyed simple family life. We have a caravan in Scarborough where the boys have had such happy times with their dad.”
Peter, who had no previous health problems, was a well known painter and decorator in the town.
He had worked for Fence-based painting and decorating firm Wilson and Bradley since he had left school.
Founder of the firm, Pete Bradley, 72, paid tribute to him.
He said: “I hired Peter when he was 16 and he’d worked for us ever since.
“His death has hit all his colleagues very hard. It’s hard to comprehend how a seemingly fit man can be taken like this in his prime.
“He was honest, kind and loyal and fun to work with.
“We’re a tightly knit group here, it’s hard to deal with.
“Our hearts go out to Joanne and the children as they try to deal with Peter’s loss.”
Peter, a former Primet High School pupil, played darts for many years for the British Legion club in Colne.
He was an avid Liverpool FC fan and enjoyed watching F1 motor racing on TV.
His funeral was held at Crown Funeral Home followed by burial at Colne Cemetery last Thursday.
