Joseph McManus, 42, was on a three-day trip with a group of friends when he collapsed in Benidorm – has family are now raising money to have his body brought home
Tributes have been paid to a ‘happy go lucky’ dad who died while on holiday in Benidorm. Joseph McManus, 42, from Dingle in Liverpool, was enjoying a three-day trip with friends when he suddenly collapsed on the Benidorm strip on Friday.
He passed away shortly after. His friend, Lee Beck, described him as a “big cuddly bear” who deeply loved his children, his partner Leanne, and his family. The father of three, who was also close to Leanne’s children, had only decided to join the holiday at the last minute after others pulled out, and had been in Benidorm for just a few hours before his collapse. Joseph’s family is now raising money to bring him home.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo yesterday, Lee said: “Everyone loved Joseph. He was always smiling and was a big entertainer.
“He was a happy-go-lucky guy. He was kind and caring. He was always stopping people in the street and asking them how they were.
“He was a brilliant dad. He doted on all of his children.”
Joseph was an avid football fan and a die-hard Everton supporter. Lee shared that his friend also had a passion for boxing and UFC.
Besides sports, Joseph was a massive rave music enthusiast and a regular in Back to the Dock’s hardcore room.
Speaking of the impact of his death on his family, Lee said: “Joseph’s mum keeps saying it’s not real, and she is still waiting to get a WhatsApp message from him. His sisters are devastated. They’re all going through it.”
Joseph was employed by DHL at Jaguar Land Rover in Halewood, and said to be a much-loved figure among his workmates.
Heartfelt tributes have poured in online, as one person wrote: “Joe was everyone’s mate in JLR. An absolutely quality lad who had time for everyone. Devastating news for his family and friends. He will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.”
Another friend penned: “Can’t believe this, top lad and a good friend. Will miss you brother.”
Someone else said: “Gutted to hear this. Such a nice lad, thinking of the family” and yet another tribute read: “What a man…one true gent, going to be sadly missed.”
A GoFundMe campaign set up to aid Joseph’s grieving family and bring his body home has seen more than £8,000 in donations so far.
Lee commented: “We just need to get him home. Everyone is pulling together. The fundraiser has already had more donations than we thought. Everyone has been super kind. It shows how well thought of he was.”