Joseph McManus made a last minute decision to go on a three day holiday to Benidorm with a group of friends
18:26, 04 May 2025Updated 19:04, 04 May 2025
Joseph McManus, 42 and from Dingle, died after collapsing in Benidorm(Image: Supplied)
A massive Evertonian who doted on his children has died while on holiday in Benidorm. Joseph McManus, 42, was on a three-day trip with a group of friends when he collapsed on the Benidorm strip on Friday, May 2.
He sadly died a short time later. Joseph, from Dingle, was described by friend Lee Beck as a “big cuddly bear” who “loved all his kids, his partner Leanne, and his family”.
The dad-of-three, who also adored Leanne’s children, made a last-minute decision to go on the holiday after other people dropped out at the last minute.
Lee, also 42, who had known Joseph since they went to nursery together, told the ECHO his friend had only been in Benidorm for a matter of hours when he collapsed. Joseph’s family is now raising money to bring him home.
Speaking to the ECHO today, Sunday, May 4, Lee said: “Everyone loved Joseph. He was always smiling and was a big entertainer.
“He was a happy-go-lucky guy. He was kind and caring. He was always stopping people in the street and asking them how they were.
“He was a brilliant dad. He doted on all of his children.”
Joseph McManus (left) pictured with his family. (Image: Supplied)
Joseph was “football mad” and a massive Blue. Lee said his friend also loved boxing and UFC. As well as his passion for sport, he was a huge rave music fan and was a regular in Back to the Dock’s hardcore room.
The tragedy is unsurprisingly having a significant impact on all his loved ones. Lee told the ECHO: “Joseph’s mum keeps saying it’s not real, and she is still waiting to get a WhatsApp message from him. His sisters are devastated. They’re all going through it.”
Joseph worked for operator DHL at Jaguar Land Rover in Halewood and was extremely popular with his colleagues.
Following his death, people have been leaving tributes online in his memory. One wrote: “Joe was everyone’s mate in JLR. An absolutely quality lad who had time for everyone. Devastating news for his family and friends. He will be missed greatly by everyone who knew him.”
A second person wrote: “Can’t believe this, top lad and a good friend. Will miss you brother.” A third added: “Gutted to hear this. Such a nice lad, thinking of the family” while a fourth said: “What a man…one true gent, going to be sadly missed.”
A younger Joseph, pictured with his late dad(Image: Supplied)
Efforts are now being made to bring Joseph back from Benidorm. A fundraiser, created to help support his family and fly his body back to Liverpool, has already had over £8,000 worth of donations at the time of writing.
Lee said: “We just need to get him home. Everyone is pulling together. The fundraiser has already had more donations than we thought. Everyone has been super kind. It shows how well thought of he was.”
If you would like to donate to the fundraiser to help bring Joseph home, click here.