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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ryan Thom

Heartbroken girlfriend of Ayrshire dad, 23, who died in his sleep says she never imagined life without him

The heartbroken girlfriend of an Ayrshire dad who died in his sleep says she never imagined life without him.

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Jack Grozier who was found dead at his home in New Cumnock last Thursday.

The doting 23-year-old dad to one-year-old Harris has been described as the ‘funniest guy ever’ by heartbroken pals.

Samantha Kelly, 23, Harris’ mum and Jack’s girlfriend of three years has told how Jack sent a goodnight text before his tragic death.

Jack’s devastated family, mum Fran Grozier, 60, dad Billy Grozier, 61, and big sister Kerry Alexander, 37, say they are “lost for words.”

Jack always made son Harris smile (Submitted /Ayrshire Live)

Samantha told Ayrshire Live: “You never expect to lose your boyfriend, he text me the night before to say he’d speak to me in the morning.

“I was a mess first few days, I’ve started to accept it and remember all the wee things, all the amazing memories I have of him.

“It is the worst thing I’ve ever went through, he was my best pal, I’m struggling that he’s not there anymore.

“Harris is the exact double of his dad as well, he’ll live on through Harris. Jack is never going to be forgotten.

"He loved being a dad. He wanted to be the best version of himself for Harris. Harris was always smiling for him, he is definitely a daddy’s boy. They were two peas in a pod."

Samantha who stays in Coylton with Harris has told how the pair had planned a future together.

Samantha says she has lost her best friend in Jack (Submitted /Ayrshire Live)

She said: “We talked about getting engaged and going another holiday with Harris.

“I never imagined my life without him. He’ll be missed so much.

“We were first introduced through my sister – he used to say to my sister that he fancied me.

“I actually ignored a couple of messages to start off with. Then we met up after a week of talking.

“It was my first serious relationship, I was obsessed with him from the get-go.

“He was such a big dafty, I’m such a worrier about things and he just didn’t have a care in the world, he kept me calm.

"Jack just loved to make everybody laugh – there is nothing he wouldn’t do for his pals or his family."

“We just had the best time together."

Jack celebrating with family for his dad Billy's 60th (Submitted /Ayrshire Live)

Samantha has told how Jack was due to start a new job delivering parcels for couriers Yodel after previously working as a bricklayer and as a binman.

She added: “He always wanted to provide for me and Harris he just hadn't found the right job yet."

Big sister Kerry Alexander (Grozier) has told how Jack will be a huge loss.

Kerry, 37, told Ayrshire Live : “We’re all lost for words and devastated.

“Jack was loving, but he was 100 mile an hour all the time.

“He was just my annoying wee brother, he is going to be huge loss to our family.

“With there being such an age gap, I got the brunt of the babysitting duties.

“But he did his fare share in return when I had my children.

“He was a great uncle, he absolutely adored his nieces.

“When he announced he was pregnant with his partner Sam I was over the moon for him. He was so excited to be a dad.

Rangers daft Jack was planning on going to Liverpool for the Champions League clash (Submitted /Ayrshire Live)

“He was a great dad, he took it like a duck to water.

“We are so proud of him.”

Kerry has told how Rangers-daft Jack was hoping to travel Liverpool this week for a dream European away trip as the Ibrox side head to Anfield for a Champions League clash.

Kerry added: “Jack loved Rangers, he never got the chance to go to Seville.

“When Rangers got in the Champions League he was desperate to go to an away European night. He never had a ticket but he was looking forward to going down.”

Well-wishers have paid their respects to amateur footballer Jack this week.

Players from amateur clubs across Ayrshire have delivered flowers and cards showing their support.

Jack starred for Cumnock Juniors Youth, Catrine AFC, Mauchline United AFC and his hometown club New Cumnock Community FC.

Kerry added: “It is great to see all the boys were just absolutely gutted. It just shows how loved he was.”

Samantha added: “He was one of a kind. He had such an effect on everyone he met.”

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