Powerlifting champ, 35, dies after collapsing in street on honeymoon in Croatia as his heartbroken wife pays tribute to ‘soul mate and best friend’
AN Irish weight lifter collapsed in the street and died after a suspected heart attack while on honeymoon in Croatia.
Powerlifting champ Tommy ‘Spike’ McCormack, from Ballinamore in Leitrim, was out walking with wife Karen when he collapsed and died in Split on Saturday.
Devastated newlywed Karen has paid tribute to her 'soul mate and best friend' on social media.
She wrote on Facebook: "To say I'm in shock is an understatement. He was my soul mate.
"My best friend. My husband. Words cannot express how much love I have for him and I know he had for me too.
"I'm devastated. I may be alone on an island in the middle of Croatia but let me tell you I can feel all the love from each and every person who loved him.
"Thank you for your messages, I know no one knows what to say but knowing your thoughts are with me and his family is enough.
"Ger and Derek Dunne have been my angels and taken me under their wing.
"They met Spike on the ferry over and knew instantly they met a good one! For now I just want to get home and be with my family and friends."
Karen and Tommy married in May 2018 but decided to wait until this year to go on honeymoon.
The 35-year-old's heartbroken sister-in-law Michelle Guthrie told the Sun: “They were over in Croatia on their honeymoon and on Saturday morning he passed away completely unexpected.
'EVERYONE IS JUST IN SHOCK'
“We have to wait for the post mortem results but the thought is that he had a heart attack. Everyone is just in shock."
Michelle said two police officers in the area rushed over and administered CPR.
She added: "They were out for a walk in the morning at around 7.30am Irish time.
"He collapsed in a park and there were two Norweigan police officers there that started to administer CPR straight away.
"We're eternally grateful because they did absolutely everything they could to try and save him."
The family also want to thank the locals, Irish people in Croatia and the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust for their help after his death.
Michelle said: "When it happens abroad you really are lost, especially in a country where they don't speak your language.
"We have massive thanks to give to the Irish consulate and the foreign affairs office. They were so fast at putting us in the right direction.
"We found out about the Kevin Bell Trust and the work that they do, it's been incredible what they've done and how they have helped us.
"We are very grateful to Colin and the Trust themselves. The people who have been around have been amazing."
'ONE OF LIFE'S GENTLEMEN'
Paying tribute to Tommy, Michelle said: "The first time that Karen and Spike met was at my first powerlifting competition in Ardee.
"Spike was a powerlifter. He was a massive sports person. He was into the gym but he was also big into sports.
"He has titles for boxing, golf and world titles for powerlifting. He was a big, big character in the gym that we all train in.
"He was always so generous to everyone."
A number of people have sent their condolences to his heartbroken family on social media.
The Warehouse Gym said: "Our friend, our colleague, one of life’s gentlemen is gone.
"We meet people throughout our lives, but when you meet a guy like Tommy affectionately known to us as 'Spike' you instantly become his friend, he had that personality, wisdom and charm that could capture an audience.
";Tommy you are one in a million and your loss will leave a gaping hole in our hearts."
REPATRIATION FUND
A has been set up to raise funds to bring Tommy back home - with money also being donated to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
The page, set up by Michelle, reads: "The funds raised will go towards facilitating the most comfortable final journey for our beloved Spike.
"This includes a donation to The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust whose aims are to alleviate the financial hardship of bereaved families repatriating the body (bodies) of loved one(s) who have died abroad in sudden or tragic circumstances back to Ireland.
"Without the trust we would truly be lost. Their ability to promptly respond in our time of need has been invaluable. We would like to pay it forward by collecting funds for families when they experience tragedies like this.
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"Always known for his generosity to any cause, we ask that you take the time, to honour Spike and help us thank them for their exceptional care at this terrible time."
His death notice on RIP.ie reads: "Spike Jnr will be sadly missed by his loving wife Karen, his heartbroken family and by everyone who knew him."
The Department of Foreign Affairs “is aware of the case and providing consular assistance.”
to the fund for Tommy.
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