Popular pub landlord who had just become a dad died days after Christmas

A popular pub landlord died just weeks after becoming a father.

Liam Casey, 40, passed away in his sleep days after celebrating his first Christmas as a dad.

His partner Alicja, who he only married in June, gave birth to little Athena last month.

The couple's pub, the Lurcher pub in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, remains closed as the grief-stricken family come to terms with the "gentle giant's" death.

Nottinghamshire Live says Liam was a "real softy" and was "loved by everyone in the pub".

Originally from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, the father was over six-feet tall and  looked "a bit intimidating".

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Alicja, 35, said: "Liam was a gentle giant and a down to earth Yorkshireman. He was loved by everyone in the pub.

"We have just had a baby daughter four weeks ago – our first child – and it's sad because we have been so busy over Christmas that I haven't had the chance to take more pictures of him with Athena.

"We are a sports orientated bar so there was a lot of banter between him as a Sheffield United fan and the customers who supported more local teams.

"He was over six-feet tall and had a skinhead haircut so could look a bit intimidating but once people spoke to him, he was very friendly."

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It is believed Liam, a big Sheffield United fan, died of natural causes but a post-mortem will be held.

"The support we have received has been a bit overwhelming and the comments people have left online have been really nice. People changing their profile pictures to the Sheffield United badge which I think he would have really liked.

"Since we've moved here, we have been so reluctant to move back home to Sheffield because of how welcoming the people here have been from the start. We've fitted right in with everybody," Alicja added.

Carol Horsfield, Liam's mother-in-law from Sheffield, has been supporting her daughter during the difficult time.

The 59-year-old said: "We would just like to say he was a big loving Yorkshireman who looked really hard but underneath he was a real softy.

"The community have been amazing since it happened – both the staff and the customers. It's a good reflection on the people who live here."

As funeral arrangements are being made for Liam back in Sheffield, Alicja has said she will look into the possibility of organising a bus to take friends from Rainworth to the service.

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