THE wife of a Co Down man who collapsed and died while out running said he "just wanted to live life and enjoy his family".
Niall Quinn (36) was jogging with a friend near Warrenpoint last week when the tragedy happened.
His wife Rosie, who he married just seven months ago, last night described how they were looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together.
She said while her husband had suffered from an underlying heart condition, it "didn't stop him in life" and he was determined to keep fit in a bid to have a "greater chance of a better, longer life".
Originally from Burren, Mr Quinn lived and worked in Warrenpoint with his wife, their son James (2) and Mrs Quinn's daughter Lauren (18).
Mrs Quinn said her husband's sudden death on January 4 had come as a massive shock to the family, including his brother and three sisters.
"He was out jogging with a friend Catherine, like they always did, and he just dropped," he said.
"It's such a shock. That morning he died, he had said to me he was going out running by himself, but I said no as I didn't like him going out on his own because of his heart. So he arranged to go out with Catherine that night.
"When it happened, she stayed with him and when a nurse came to help, she came to the house and got me and took me to Daisy Hill.
"We were just married seven months ago, just last June, but we've been together for seven years. I'm just devastated."
Mrs Quinn said while her husband, who worked in the local Eurospar, had an underlying heart condition it "didn't stop him in life".
"He was told that if he kept active, kept himself fit, then he would have a greater chance of a better, longer life," she said.
"He loved running, he had completed a few mini marathons and was so proud of getting the medals to prove it.
"He loved his sport, he played golf and did fishing back in the day. As soon as the day began, Niall was up and away.
"Niall just wanted to live life and enjoy life, to enjoy his family. He wanted to see James grow up and become the next Rory McIlroy, he had even bought him a golf set for his first Christmas.
"He was outgoing, such a bubbly character. We had settled down and were loving life."
Requiem Mass for Mr Quinn was celebrated at St Mary's Church, Burren on Sunday.
"He got such a great send-off, it was the biggest funerals in Burren I've been told and it was nothing short of what he deserved for he deserved the best," Mrs Quinn said.
"Since it happened, all I have seen is a lot of love for him, the town loved him, we all loved him."
