TRIBUTES have been paid to a beloved granddad-of-four who has died at the age of 60 after contracting the coronavirus.

Delivery driver Pete Davies passed away in hospital last week with daughters Emma Crawford and Claire O’Brien by his side.

Described as a ‘truly lovely man’, he was rushed to Warrington Hospital’s high dependency unit on March 30 before being taken into intensive care on April 1 and placed on a ventilator three days later.

The Liverpool FC fan was later transferred to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital – which is also treating adults during the pandemic – but his condition deteriorated, and he died in the early hours of Wednesday, April 22.

Emma has now paid tribute to her dad, who was an avid creator using his 3D printer and worked for FedEx and delivered for takeaways in the town.

She said: “He was very friendly, he was the life and soul of the party and a bit of a joker.

“He was a real family man – he was all about his family.

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Celebrating his 60th birthday with the family in 60th

“My sister had to go into isolation for 14 days a few weeks ago because one of the little ones had a temperature.

“Dad couldn’t go and see them, so as a little treat he bought loads of sweets and stuck them to the window with a little note.”

Kind-hearted residents have so far donated nearly £2,000 in order to support Pete’s family, who are from from Locking Stumps, near Warrington.

Family friend Vicky Lockie, who set up the online fundraiser, said: “The money will be used to help pay for the funeral and anything other bills that are still outstanding.

“If there is anything left over, they might like to create a memorial bench or something else to remember him.

“We raised about £1,000 within only the first 24 hours of setting it up.

“I didn’t realise just how well he was known.

“Everyone has been saying lovely things about him.

“He was always talking about his girls and his grandkids, he was a really nice guy.”

The family have thanked family and friends for their donations, as well as the NHS staff who cared for Pete in hospital for more than two weeks.

Emma added: “The generosity has just been amazing – it’s really unbelievable, I can’t put it into words.

“It’s a comfort to know that he was loved by so many people.

“We want to say a massive thank you to our friends and family who have donated, and also to the NHS.

“They played music for him and put up pictures of his family.

“You could see the love and care that they gave him, he was well looked after.”