Young dad’s shock death
Phil Rutter
A FAMILY is in mourning after the sudden death of a young Wigan dad.
Phil Rutter’s fatal kidney failure came as a complete shock to his loved ones who say he had no history of renal problems and was not a heavy drinker.
The 33-year-old leaves a partner of seven years, Sarah Southern, six-year-old son Bobby, parents Joan and Ronnie and sister Vicky Scrivens.
Sarah, 27 said: “He was a great dad and we will really miss him. Since his death I just feel like a zombie, just trying to carry on.”
Phil spent last Saturday evening watching the rugby on television with his family.
The next day, Sarah noticed he became ill and called for his family and an ambulance.
He was taken to Wigan Infirmary and put on a kidney dialysis machine but on Monday morning his condition deteriorated and he lost his battle for life.
Sarah said: “On the Saturday we were all shouting at the television like nothing was wrong.”
Joan, 65 added: “He did tell me that he was feeling a bit tired on the Saturday but I could see how ill he had become when they put him in that ambulance.”
Phil who lived in Holly Road, Worsley Hall, just nine doors away from his parents was a keen rugby player while supporting both Wigan Warriors and Leeds Rhinos.
Sister Vicky, 35 said: “I’m sure he used to support Leeds just to wind us up. He could be awkward like that but we loved him all the same.
“Since he died, I think we’re all on autopilot, we’re just all trying to keep busy.
“He was really close to my children, Hayley, 15, Lee, 10 and one-year-old Logan. Whatever they wanted he would get for them.”
From the age of six until he was 22, Phil played for Ashton Bears before romance intervened. He and Sarah met each other at Asda’s Ince warehouse and he contnued working for the company until he died.
Little Bobby said: “He was a good dad. He used to play with me all the time, we used to play cards and build with lego.
“He was always lots of fun but he’s now in heaven and every night I look at his star.”
A funeral service will take place on Thursday at St Mark’s Church.
His dad, Ronnie, 75 said: “He was a good lad, he never brought us any trouble.”
Joan added: “Since he passed away things just seem endless, and I feel empty, I will really miss him, he was a mummy’s boy definitely.”
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Weather for Wigan
Friday 10 February 2012
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Temperature: -6 C to 3 C
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