THE sudden death of a popular 22-year-old man from a stroke has devastated his family and shocked his friends.

Ricky Love, a father of two from Godwin Road, Canterbury, was at home with his partner, Laura Dawes, when he complained of an acute headache.

As his conditioned worsened she called an ambulance, but by the time paramedics arrived he had slipped into unconsciousness and was dead on arrival at hospital. It was later revealed that he had suffered a stroke and brain haemorrhage.

Mr Love was the father of three-year-old son Louis and 18-month-old Georgia. He was a roofer by trade but had just started work with a firm called Astra, which specialises in asbestos removal.

Miss Dawes said: “He had never suffered with headaches before and had just passed a medical for his new job. It just happened out of the blue.”

Mr Love grew up in Canterbury, cared for by his grandparents, Norman and Doreen Love, and went to Canterbury High School.

When he was 13, he suffered burns after an accident on the railway line behind the school. His uncle, Norman Love, of Pardoner Close, Canterbury, said: “You couldn’t help but like Ricky. He was so good-natured and a dedicated family man who doted on his children.”

Mr Love was an avid internet games player, and more than 100 e-mailed messages of condolence have been sent to his family.

His funeral is expected to take place next week at Thanington Church.