A DEVOTED young father died minutes after kissing his fiancée goodbye.

Ryan Cosgrove, described as a “true family man”, died in his car in front of his fiancée after pulling over to drop her off at work.

The fit and healthy 27-year-old, originally from Halliwell, suffered from an undetected heart condition.

Ryan’s friends Scott Robinson, aged 27, from Heaton, and Jonathan Baker, aged 25, from Little Lever, spoke to The Bolton News on behalf of his family.

Mr Robinson, who met Ryan at Thornleigh Salesian College, said: “He had pulled over to drop his missus at work; they had their last kiss and a couple of minutes later he passed away. She was with him.

“Doctors said he was in no pain, he just died. Everyone who knew Ryan is absolutely crushed. It just does not make sense. People cannot get over the fact something like this could happen.”

CPR was attempted at the scene before paramedics rushed Ryan to the Royal Bolton Hospital, but there was nothing medics could do.

The father-of-one had been living in Heaton with his fiancée Jade-Louise Rimmer and their two-year-old daughter Heidi at the time of his death.

Ryan, who worked at Wilson and Co Vauxhall and Kia dealers in Manchester Road, Bolton, also leaves behind his parents and five siblings.

Mr Baker said: “Ryan was a true family man – family, music and cars were his passions. His heart and morals were in the right place and he had time for everyone and everything. He changed people for the better.

“As soon as Ryan got together with Jade he knew they would be together for the rest of their lives. She was the one for him.”

Mr Robinson added: “Ryan was completely devoted to Heidi. You can see him in Heidi, and it is heart-breaking.”

Mr Robinson owns Distinktive Tattoo Studio in Atherton and has already inked 25 of Ryan’s friends and family with a special memorial design featuring Ryan’s initials.

This has been done for free, with customers instead asked to donate to a fund set up to support Heidi and Jade and pay for Ryan’s funeral costs.

Mr Robinson said: “We wanted to raise the money for Heidi and Jade so that they did not have any worries and could grieve for as long as they needed.

“Most of the money will pay for the funeral and any extra will go to them.

“We want to thank everyone who has donated and Zoe, Jade’s sister, for helping us organise the fundraising. The amount of donations has been overwhelming.”

So far £1,000 has been raised online, £600 given in donations to the tattoo parlour and Mr Baker has collected £450 for a sponsored chest wax. There are also plans to hold a raffle and Zumbathon.

Mr Baker said: “Ryan has brought so many people together. It is something he always did when he was alive.”

Zoe Leigh, the group HR officer at Wilson and Co where Ryan worked as a painter in the body shop, said he would be “keenly missed”.

She said: “We are all feeling the loss of Ryan, throughout the dealership.

“He is remembered most fondly for his smiley face – that big smile is what stays with you.

“Ryan was a well-liked and well-known member of staff. We all feel for his family – he was always talking about his fiancée and his little girl.”

A collection at Wilson and Co in memory of Ryan raised £640, and there are more fundraising events planned in future.

A service and committal will be held at Overdale Crematorium’s West Chapel at 12pm today (Thursday, June 11). Ryan’s family have requested no black formal attire be worn.

The Zumbathon is taking place between 1pm and 3pm on June 27 at St James’ School in Farnworth. Tickets cost £5 and must be bought in advance from the Facebook fundraising page or by calling Tony Finbarr-Smith on 07737 866432.

For more information about fundraising events or to make a donation: search ‘Ryan cosgrove fund raiser’ on Facebook.