TRIBUTES have been paid a man who had a "heart of gold" and was the "best dad ever" following his tragic sudden death.

Daniel Lewis (also known as Nichol), from Llangollen, recently died tragically - leaving behind three children, his four siblings and loving mum and dad.

The 38-year-old, known as Dan Lew, will be very sadly missed by all who knew him.

(Image: UGC)

His mum, Julie Lewis, paid a touching tribute to him. She said: "Dan will be missed so much, he was my rock. I don’t drive and Dan's dad is disabled, so Dan was our driver. I could phone him anytime and he would leave work if dad had fallen to help me pick him up.

"I could go on and on and on about Dan. Anyone would tell you the same. He loved his weightlifting and was a member of Powerzone gym in Wrexham for years. The gym will tell you it would be quiet in the gym, and Dan would walk in and light the place up instantly. Powerzone have been absolutely amazing throughout all this."

Dan and his mum, JulieDan and his mum, Julie (Image: UGC)

Dan was a carpet fitter / wood flooring specialist and was highly respected in his trade circles. 

"If people were desperate for a new carpet but couldn’t afford it, he would do it for free for them," Julie said. "He loved helping elderly people, he'd stop his car in the middle of the road to help an old lady across - he was that kind of lad.

"Dan loved his family and absolutely adored his kids (Harley,16, Daniel, 15 and Frankie, 7). Dan had two passions in life - his fitness and his children. He was fun loving, caring and kind. Dan would help anyone, nothing was to much trouble for him. He lit up any room he went in to."

Dan's best friend, Rob Gardner, also paid tribute. He said: "I knew Dan since the start of high school, and he wasn't just my best friend - he was like a brother to me. I don't think I'll ever be the same again. He's helped me through so much, he was my rock.

"I was walking my dog the other day and came across my godfather. He had tears in his eyes talking about how Dan always made him feel so welcome when their paths crossed in work. Dan was an absolute diamond, and the best dad I have ever known."

A GoFundMe page set up to cover the cost of Dan's funeral has raised over £2,800. It can be visited at https://bit.ly/4cl3TrT.

(Image: UGC)

Also paying tribute is the team at Powerzone Gym - where Dan was a member for over 15 years. 

They said: "Dan was a very close friend of ours. He wasn't just a member, he was a big part of the gym - it was his second home. He was also our handyman and floor layer, and spent so many hours bending over backwards for this gym.

"As I'm writing this tribute - I've just had three new machines turn up on a wagon. This is where I'd call Dan and plead him for his help. He'd drop everything and he'd be right here to help us, half of the time it'd be Dan just using his raw strength to lift the machines by himself. 

"Dan is going to be sorely missed by us all, the gym won't feel quite the same without him. Rest in peace, big man."

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