Heartbroken family left reeling after death of devoted dad-of-four aged just 38

A devastated family has been left reeling after a big-hearted Teesside dad-of-four died suddenly in his sleep.

Mark Westwood was described as the 'happiest he had ever been' making plans to wed his fiancée just hours before she found him dead in bed, aged just 38. The Stockton lad was well known throughout the town and tributes have been pouring in for his family as they try to deal with the shock which has left a 'massive, horrible gap' in all their lives.

Mark's heartbroken mum, Gina Westwood, said her eldest son 'loved everyone' and would do anything he could to help others, even taking homeless people to his home to give them a meal and a shower.

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She said: "He had a massive heart, he just loved everyone. He just lit any room up that he went into. If there was a bad situation he would always make it better, he has left a big, massive, horrible gap. It is such a shock, we can't believe he has gone."

The 60-year-old grandmother, said the night before he died Mark was 'the happiest he had ever been' she said: "He was telling me he was making plans to bring forward his wedding."

But, tragically, on November 7, his fiancée, Charlotte Garbutt, found him after he had passed away in his sleep. Gina said as far as anyone is aware there was no underlying condition that could have caused it and an inquest will be held into his sudden death.

Mark was already a devoted dad to his three sons, Harvey, 17, Charlie, 13 and seven-year-old Jayden, when he became religious and it was at church where he met Charlotte, with the pair going on to have one-year-old Gracie-Hope.

Gina said: "He adored his kids and wanted the best for them. He always wanted a little girl, he had one and now he's gone."

She said Mark, who she described as 'the life and soul of the party' was not just her son, but her best friend. She said: "We were always together, he would do anything for me. He used to say, 'when you die mam, I won't be able to cope' and I said 'of course you will'."

A funeral service for Mark, who also leaves behind two younger brother, Karl and Zac, will be held on Monday, December 2 in Stockton Parish Church at 1pm before going on to Mapelwood Chapel, Stockton Crematorium. Gina said the family has been inundated with flowers, cards and messages of sympathy and anyone who knew Mark is welcome to attend the service.

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