BOLTON Wanderers' chief steward died on a ferry after visiting family.
Peter Gilmore, aged 53, of Blackrod, had been visiting his sister in the Isle of Man.
He was on the ferry home with his wife, Rita, when he collapsed and died from a thrombosis.
He had been complaining of a bad back before he collapsed and planned to see a doctor the following day.
Mrs Gilmore said: "I knew the minute I saw him slumped he was dead."
"He was a lovely man. He always helped people. For example, our daughter's friends would ring and he would give them advice. He was well liked by everyone and always provided. He was phenomenal."
She added: "He adored our granddaughter, Chelsea, and this has been particularly hard for her."
Mr Gilmore worked as a prison officer for 27 years as well as at Burnden Park and then the Reebok Stadium. He was chief steward at the Reebok for five years.
He was a valued member of the Prison Officers Association.
He gained two university degrees, including one in employment law by going to evening classes and won two employment tribunals for members of his family.
Mr Gilmore leaves his wife and their two children, James, aged 32 and Donna aged 28.
Donna is to be married in September and the family considered calling off the wedding.
But Mrs Gilmore said: "He would have wanted it to go on so James will give his sister away now."
Reebok Stadium safety officer Rod Cross paid tribute to Mr Gilmore saying: "He did his job and he did it very well. He was there come hell or high water and never let anyone down."
Mr Gilmore's funeral is at St Katharine's Parish Church, Blackrod, on Tuesday at 11am, followed by committal at Overdale West Chapel at noon.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Derian House, care of Livesey Funeral Service, Church Street, Horwich.
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