A “kind and loving” father tragically died in an accident the day after his own father’s funeral.
Dean Heaven, 46, died Saturday May 1st of injuries sustained in a serious accident in Swansea, South Wales.
His lifelong heartbroken friend, Karl Rowland, has paid tribute to the “real and kind” Dean on behalf of his family.
“When the news of what happened on social media came out this morning, nobody wanted to believe it was him,” Karl told Wales Online.
“I was at work when it happened. I’ve lost people over the years, but nothing has affected me like losing Dean. We knew how much he was a good father and how he adored his children and grandchildren how well thought he was. “
Police at the site of the crash in which Dean Heaven was killed
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On the subject of matching items
“It’s so much for the family to go through everything they have. I know that Dean’s daughter adored her grandfather too.
“Coping with such a tragic loss is bad enough for the family, but then facing Dean’s death is unthinkable – I can’t understand the words. Nobody wants to believe it happened.”
Karl set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds so the family can pay funeral expenses after suddenly losing Dean.
He said, “I decided to start the site to raise some money for the family as it was so sudden. He had just buried his own father the day before. It hit the whole family for six.
“We also want to memorialize him because there were so many people who knew him and we want to make sure they never forget him.”
Karl had been friends with Dean since they were about three years old and said that during the entire time they had known each other, Dean had always been the nicest person he had ever met.
Dean has been described as a “kind and loving” father
(Image: MEDIA WALES)
“Even if you met him for a brief second, you wouldn’t forget who he was one of the most sincere, kindest people you could meet – a lot of people say that about people when they die, but he was exactly that.” “Said Karl.
“We went to a school that had lots of kids from different backgrounds and he was friends with everyone. He wasn’t just tied to a crowd. He was the epitome of someone everyone would like to be as a person.
“No matter what, no matter when, you could message Dean if you had a problem and he would reply and then check you out to make sure everything is okay.
“I’m an ex-army and I will never forget the time I quit my job to start mental health care. Dean wrote me how proud he was of me. Dean was one of those people who didn’t mind anyone could say word against him. “
Over the years, the close school friends drifted slightly, but arranged meetings together. Karl said her next reunion, which was planned with Dean after the lockdown, wouldn’t feel the same without him.
Dean leaves a broken family
(Image: MEDIA WALES)
“We had a reunion a few years ago and I’ll never forget the picture we took that day. We were in a group and Dean was in the back and it was like looking out for all of us.” he said.
“It was really difficult when we found out we’re all the same age. We’re all going to really miss him, he was such a character to be honest.
“Every day he made sure that everyone was fine, he had a great influence on so many people. We don’t want to say goodbye, it would be too difficult for us, so we want to celebrate his life. If it weren’t for that.” For the coronavirus guidelines, there would be so many people there [at his funeral].
“Dean worked in Wilko, Swansea, and everyone he has worked with will really miss him because he was such a nice, positive person.
“He wouldn’t speak negatively and find a way to make everyone in a room laugh or smile.”
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Karl said Dean loved football and supported Liverpool in his spare time, but no hobby would ever compare to the love he had for his children and grandchildren.
He said: “He was so passionate about his children and grandchildren – they were his real hobby and they meant the world to him. His children are such an honor, you can tell that he passed on a real strength of character.
“His leaving this life has undoubtedly left an unimaginable void in the lives of his children whom he adored, his family who loved him, and at a time when he was already grieving over the loss of his father.”
The South Wales Police are asking anyone with information about the collision or dashcam material to contact them on 101 using reference number 2100151541.
