MICHAEL Grant has been remembered as "the best dad ever" as hundreds attend Waterford man's funeral following sudden death.
Micheal, who was also and Irish youth soccer coach, was on holiday in Magaluf with his wife and their four children, along with other Irish families when tragedy struck.
It is understood that he was staying at a family-friendly resort nearby but became separated from the group and became disoriented.
The dad-of-four, 44, was found with horrific injuries to his chest and legs that were so bad cops thought he'd initially been involved in a hit-and-run incident.
The Waterford father was also found to have mysterious bite marks on him that remain unexplained.
Well-placed sources have now confirmed that the 44-year-old's death will not be treated as a homicide following the autopsy, despite his inconsistent injuries.
As he was laid to rest on Saturday in his home of Waterford City as hundreds stepped out to share their final goodbye to their beloved "Granter".
There was a noticeable wave of blue and white in the congregation of St Josephs AFC Waterford and Mount Sion jerseys, two clubs close to Michael's heart.
As they brought up the gifts, among a St Joseph's kit and family holiday photo to Greece, Michael's daughter Sofia gave a "best dad" certificate while son Shay brought his hurl.
Speaking at his funeral, Michael's daughter Niamh shared a heartbreaking tribute to her father, remembering the best times she had with her dad on the sidelines before brother "Shay came along and replaced us all".
She said: "If you asked me about my dad, I'd tell you I miss him but if you asked me again, I'd tell you he was the best dad ever.
"Everything he done was for his family, my dad was the rock to the family. He embarrassed me everyday but I admit now, he was the funniest person I knew.
"When I was younger, he brought me to all the Mount Sion matches, and I only enjoyed them because he loved bringing me and then Shay came along and replaced us all.
"Dad if you're listening, I promise I'll be there for mam, Kayley, Shay and Sofia and when it gets hard, please watch over us and our future ahead. You will always be our dad and I'll miss you forever."
Michael's devastated wife Leanne explained how she decided to leave her tribute to her late husband "light hearted" as laughing together was something she cherished with him.
She said: "Last week, I couldn't even say his name without pain so badly it felt like I couldn't breathe but I feel I owe it to my husband, my best friend, to stand up and say something today.
"I've so much I could tell you, but I'm not like Michael so this speech won't go on forever and I'll get to the point quickly.
"I'm with Michael almost 24 years, a lifetime it sounds like, but today it seems like it went in the blink of an eye. Looking through photos this week, I was reminded we made so many memories and shared so many good times.
"We got to see places others wouldn't see in a lifetime, there are so many other places we wanted to see, always planning for the next trip.
"Coming home from this holiday only a family of five, our house will never be the same and our hearts will always be missing a piece."
Leanne went on to shared how her husband would drop everything for anyone, unless that was a DIY job.
She said: "Michael did everything for us, outside DIY of course, that was left to my father Paul or Brian and he kept them busy over the years. They knew if they were unexpectedly invited to our house, bring a toolbox.
"People called on him also for every ache and pain, and he gave them time and advice yet at home recently his professional diagnosis was 'I was just getting old'. He loved his job and went around with his diary in one hand and his phone in another."
Leanne noted that he was constantly sending voice messages, those of which could've been "a short message" and how his favourite place to be in the world was on the sidelines of a match.
She continued: "His favourite in recent years was the sidelines of a hurling or football match, either coaching or supporting, not only our children, but all the kids.
"His voice could be heard a mile away, we'll miss that voice from the sidelines - well most of us will, maybe not the referees."
Despite not knowing the words to "any songs", Leanne shared Michael had a lovely singing voice to the point she had to ban Meatloaf playing in the house - but today was an exception.
"I could talk all day about him and I've a list as long as my arm of the things I loved about him but I tried to keep this speech light-hearted as we loved to laugh together.
"To my children, my heart is shattered for your loss. You're all a piece of him, the best piece."
Leanne ended her tribute sharing a quote her daughter had shared at their wedding eight years ago from Winnie the Pooh.
She quoted: "If you live to be a hundred, I hope I live to be a hundred minus one day, so that I never have to live a day without you."
Michael's eldest daughter Kayley shared a few words for her dad at the end of the service, devastatingly noting that he won't be there to witness her get married.
Kayley said: "I thought we had a lifetime left, my brain still refuses to accept this is real but dad, I know in my heart that this pain and sadness that is filled in this room can't compare to the pain you must feel in your heart not being here.
"I want you to feel peace in your heart, I wanted to say as your first born, I will help take care of our family as best as I can. Nothing can ever fill the void of not having you here.
"I will forever ache for the moments we never got to share, I lost you just when my life was truly getting started and I need you the most.
"I will miss you not being here to meet my future partners and watching their reaction to Michael Grant being my dad.
"I miss you not being here to walk me down the aisle on my wedding day and to take over the party afterwards or to help me buy my first home and help me kit it out in all your Amazon finds.
"You are the absolute life and soul of our home and we will forever feel a loss, between our four walls you were your true self.
"You had me at the age I am now and we just grew up together and as the years have gone on, I found myself being more and more like you and I promise to always let that side of me show."
