Family Heartbroken After Sudden Death of Dad Jay Dignam from Sore Throat

Jay Dignam, a 50-year-old father from Manchester, tragically passed away unexpectedly, leaving his family devastated and searching for answers. The cause of his sudden death, reportedly beginning with a sore throat, is now under investigation.

Jay’s younger sister, Emma Dunn, 34, described the heartbreaking moment she had to share the devastating news with her nieces, Milly, 18, and Scarlet, 10. Speaking to Manchester Evening News, she said, “It was a sore throat, nothing else. It’s such a shock. It didn’t register, and I don’t think it fully has. We went to see him in the chapel of rest, and it felt more real then.”

Emma continued, expressing the disbelief and pain that Jay’s passing has brought. “It’s been so sudden, and a sore throat is so insignificant. If he had gone out on his bike and had a crash… it’s been hard to accept. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. It was unbelievably hard.”

Emma reflected on Jay’s role in her life, saying he was like a second dad to her. Known for his love of motorbikes and his talent for fixing “just about anything,” Jay was a beloved figure in his community in Blackley, Manchester. His passion for helping others and his skills in manual work made him widely respected.

To support Jay’s family during this difficult time, his best friend, Matthew Largey, launched a fundraiser to assist his daughters, Milly and Scarlet. Matthew wrote, “My aim is to raise as much money as I can to give to his two daughters, to help support them through this truly heartbreaking time.”

He paid tribute to his friend, saying, “Jay was a brilliant example of a man who had a big heart, endless skills under his belt when it came to doing any form of manual labour work, a huge love for bikes, and a passion for helping anyone and everyone he could. His love for his daughters, Milly and Scarlet, massively outweighed his love for anything else.”

Matthew described Jay as the “handiest of handy men,” known for jumping at the chance to help others with his tools and skills. Jay’s death has left a void in the lives of his family, friends, and the community he so deeply touched.