Sunderland man who died after Turkish holiday tragedy remembered as a 'true gentleman' as loved ones say goodbye

Ryan Collier had been on holiday with partner Donna Noble when he fell from a hotel balcony in Marmaris in Turkey last month.

The 34-year-old was put on a life support machine, which sparked an appeal to raise funds to transport him back to the UK, but he sadly died on Friday, October 23.

More than £13,000 was raised via Go Fund Me, which helped Ryan’s parents Brian, 64, and Elizabeth, 62, from Pallion, to bring him home to Sunderland.

His funeral service was held at Sunderland Crematorium on Monday, November 23, and loved ones remembered Ryan as being a ‘beautiful man [both] inside and out.’

Born in Sunderland on May 22, 1986, Ryan attended Pennywell School, where he was described as being a ‘bright young lad.’

Leaving school at 16, Ryan went to work as a mechanic at a garage before taking a job at Nissan and was regarded as a ‘concencious, hard-working and highly-respected friend and colleague.’

He then spent a period working in a chicken factory before taking up a job in security, where he worked on the doors. His most recent line of work was as a takeaway driver.

Outside of work Ryan loved nothing more than spending time with his family and loved ones.

A ‘softie at heart’, Ryan loved kids and was happiest when spending time with his nieces and his former partner’s daughter, Charley, 12, who he helped care for and would call ‘his little partner in crime’.

After meeting partner Donna, Ryan lived with her and her family, who enjoyed holidays together to Turkey.

The Sunderland AFC supporter also loved visiting scrap yards to collect items to fix cars and would make things from pallets, including an impressive summer bar.

A tribute read out on behalf of Ryan’s brother, Lewis, 27, said: “Thank you for being the person I looked up to most when I was little.

"You were Batman without the suit, the person I idolised the most."

Ryan also leaves brother Craig, 41, and his children Megan, 19, and Lucy, 15; eldest brother Darren, 45; and Lewis’ two-year-old twins, Olivia and Grace.

Debbie Green, civil funeral celebrant, said ‘Ryan passed away far too soon’ and described him as having a ‘heart of gold.’

During the service, those gathered listened to Photograph by Ed Sheeran, One More Light by Linkin Park and In The Arms Of An Angel by Sarah McLachlan as they paid tribute to Ryan.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.