TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Barrow grandfather who died after suffering a cardiac arrest in a sauna.

Steve Neep collapsed in Nuffield Health Centre, Barrow, after going for a swim on Wednesday.

He died in Furness General Hospital on New Year's Day.

The 64-year-old's wife Diane said his family took great pride from the fact his liver and kidneys have been donated.

Mrs Neep, 60, of Hawcoat Lane, Barrow, a retired business manager at Victoria Junior School, said: "My son said he was generous in money, generous in time and generous in spirit, which I thought summed it up.

"We thought donating his organs would be the ultimate generosity and it's certainly what he would've wanted.

"We're really proud of him."


Steve Neep (right) with son Daniel Neep pictured in 1993 EVENING MAIL LIBRARY PHOTO Mr Neep was dad to Daniel and Sarah, and granddad to Max, Lucy, Sam and Eva, whom Mrs Neep described as "the light of his life".

Despite having stents in his heart, he was fit and healthy and went swimming five times a week.

Football was described as "his life", as he was a staunch Everton fan, Barrow AFC season ticket holder and former talented player, having represented St Mary's, the old Evening Mail team, Furness Cavaliers and Holker Old Boys, where he also managed and played alongside his son.

He had been retired for six years, but spent 28 years at the Evening Mail, where he worked as a compositor with a close group of friends including Mike Gardner, Frank Cassidy, Graham Troth, Doug McKay, Jim Askew, Dave Barker and Neil Cochran.

He later re-trained as a financial advisor and worked with the Prudential and Lloyds Bank.

Mr Troth said: "Steve and I met in 1974 when I started at the Evening Mail. 

"Simply everyone liked being friends with Steve, he had so much charm and was just a person you wanted to spend your time with, a lovely man.

"Later in 1981 he was my best man, too.

"A talented footballer, albeit an Everton fan! He was a devoted Carlisle fan and Barrow AFC season ticket holder. 

"More importantly, he was a wonderful family man. I will miss so much our chats/texts about Barrow AFC, his smile and friendship discussing over a pint at the Kings in Hawcoat."

Mr Gardner, 64, now of Gloucester, and the author of the "Life and Times of Willie Horne, a Rugby League Legend", described Mr Neep as a "king of the Mods", who loved soul music and was "probably the best dancer in Barrow". 

He said: "Steve was the kindest, sweetest man you could meet. He didn't have a bad bone in his body. I never saw him lose his temper one single time.

"He was such a genuine person and such a special friend to everybody and, despite the fact he was good at everything, there was no arrogance or anything to him. He had no awareness of how cool he was. Everyone loved him."

Mr McKay said: "I worked with Steve in the 70s, 80s and 90s.

"He was a total professional and skilled compositor and later an excellent manager. He was a key figure in the introduction of computers at the Evening Mail.

"I'm just so shocked to have lost such a special friend and loyal friend and work mate. He was an absolute gentleman who was respected by so many people, both in and out of work, and it's just an absolutely tragic loss."

South Walney councillor Frank Cassidy worked alongside Mr Neep at the Evening Mail for around 20 years.

He said: “There was always laughter in Steve’s company and he was groomsman at our wedding more than 30 years ago.

“Steve was part of our group of former Evening Mail staff who get together a few times a year for a catch-up.

"Everyone I have spoken to is devastated.

“He was a mod from the Twisted Wheel era but he wasn’t stuck in the past. 

"Steve moved with the times, he knew what was going on in the world and you could talk to him about anything.

“It’s incredibly sad, but they can’t take away the memories and we will all have sweet memories of Steve Neep.”

Mrs Neep wished to thank the gym staff, paramedics and everyone involved in her husband's care at FGH for all going "above and beyond".

She added: "We've had a wonderful life together. I was only 14 when we met, so we filled those 43 years really well, with the things we've done and places we've been.

"Everything has been amazing and we've not wasted time."

A Nuffield Health spokesman said: “Unfortunately, one of our members was discovered unconscious following one of his regular workouts.

“Our trained staff were able to immediately administer first aid before the emergency services arrived.

“We understand he has since sadly passed away and our thoughts are with his family at this time.”