A loving and popular Wigan dad who battled addiction all his adult life is mourned at the age of just 37
The brother of a Wigan father who has died aged 37 gives an exclusive interview about the man, his demons and the positive impact he had upon others
Warm tributes have been paid to a doting Wigan dad who has died suddenly at the age of just 37.
David Cobley had battled addictions since he was a teenager, but grieving family had thought he had turned a corner in recent months.
His passing has therefore come as a big shock and initial investigations have shown no obvious cause of death.
The Hindley father of one’s funeral takes place on Monday October 19 at Wigan Crematorium and a GoFundMe page has been launched to help struggling relatives pay for it and a memorial.
David’s brother Phil Cobley-Jones today said that the world would be a poorer place without his sibling in it, because he was such fun to be with and because he helped so many other people who had issues like his.
He said: “David was one of the people I could talk to when things were difficult because he was a great listener. He would ring and ask if I was all right.
“That those calls aren’t going to come anymore is one of the hardest things to deal with.
“He was so funny and generous: so many friends have said how kind he was and he could make you laugh without even trying.
“He had his own inner demons, especially with addiction which began at an early age - when only 13 or 14 - but more recently he also offered sofa support to those had similar struggles.
“For years though he didn’t accept offers of help, whether from doctors, psychiatrists or psychologists. He didn’t have much respect for authority.
“However he had engaged in that lately. He went to prison in 2024 for aggravated assault and when he was released in ’25 he was taking care of himself. Prison had done what it is meant to: rehabilitate him.
“He was going to the gym and for long walks. We also found out, only when we were clearing out his things afterwards, that he had gained an English qualification. He left school at 15 with nothing so he’d turned over a new leaf.”
David was brought up in Hindley with Phil by parents Deb and Jeff, attending St Margaret Mary’s Primary, then St Edmund Arrowsmith High in Ashton.
Because of his drug addictions he struggled to settle after school but eventually gained employment at the H&M factory in Winsford for several years until he suffered a workplace back injury. This also led to a new prescription medication addiction.
Phil says David always said that the best thing that ever happened to him was his son Greyson, now 10, born to partner Lena Weedall from whom David was separated but still on friendly terms.
“He was a fantastic dad. One of Greyson’s stories was that he wanted to use a paddling pool but, because it was mid-winter David set it up in Dad’s lounge, complete with ice creams!”
It was police who found David collapsed in a Hindley HMO flat on September 25 after he missed a probation appointment.
There were no obvious signs of harm nor drugs paraphernalia. Toxicology reports have yet to come back and an inquest will eventually be held.
David’s funeral is at 11am followed by a celebration of his life at the Edington Arms, Hindley.
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