The family of a young Belfast dad, who died suddenly from a heart attack just over a year ago, say they are struggling to cope with their devastating loss as they plan to honour his memory.
John Taggart, from the Shankill Road area, passed away in the early hours of Sunday, January 21 2024 at the age of 38. He had sat down in his chair and sadly didn't wake up again.
John left behind a heartbroken mother, Ann; two young children, Taylor and Katie; his loving partner Linda; three sisters, Margaret, Ann and Christine; two brothers Hughie and Billy and his many nieces and nephews.
The well-known man started landscape gardening when he was just 12 years old - with just a strimmer and lawnmower to his name. That passion for hard work developed over the years, and eventually led him to create his own business, JT Property Services.
Now the family are planning to honour his memory this coming May 19th to mark what would have been John's 40th birthday.
His grieving niece Stacey Kerr Belfast Live: "It's been just over a year since we sadly lost my uncle to a sudden heart attack. He was only 38 years old and a valued member of our family and community. It's been a very hard time and it still doesn't feel real or right to lose someone so young who was there one day and the next they're not.
"He left behind his heartbroken mother who was already grieving for the loss of her husband (my grandfather Hugh) who passed away after a major stroke in 2020. John was her youngest son and the life and soul of our family, from no age he took his role as an uncle and a role model very seriously.
"He always loved having a few quid in his pocket and started very young, using my mum's trimmer he started by doing a few gardens until he had enough for his own gardening tools. From there he went on to serve the whole Oldpark and Shankill community. He made a lot of friends, young and old who all adored him and eventually made it into a landscaping business."
Stacey added: "He lived life to the fullest and loved and adored his whole family as we did him. Then sadly one night he settled on the settee, turned on the tv, nodded off and didn't wake up. This was absolutely devastating for all of us. This year for what would have been his 40th birthday we decided to try to make a difference.
"Our main goal this year is to again raise awareness and as much money as possible so that we can hopefully help other families and young people in this position. Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) is very dear to our family.
"They have helped us get through the most difficult times, between my granda's strokes and rehabilitation, my mum's strokes and rehabilitation, supplying my father-in-law with nebuliser and help with the stages of grieving after eventually losing my granda to a further stroke. They are absolutely amazing and we always do our part in raising money for them.
"We have now planned a charity fundraising night for NICHS in the North Working Men's Club. This isn't our first rodeo as we have done two previous charity nights for the same foundation in honour of my grandfather. We previously raised a whopping £7091.56 but couldn't have done that without the help of the public donations for raffles.
"We want to do our best for John and go bigger and better. I know he would have a lot of support out there so we would love to get this out there far and wide so we can get as much help as possible. We are desperate for donations/vouchers/hampers towards help with ballots. So if anyone can reach out it would be amazing."
Anyone who can help the family is asked to contact Stacey McAllister on Facebook or by emailing [email protected].
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