A DEVOTED young father collapsed and died suddenly at home after suffering a massive asthma attack.

Joseph Gainford - Harry to friends - was a fun-loving, kind-hearted family man who was surrounded by friends, said his partner, Susie Cornick.

The 24-year-old was at home on Thursday, August 16, when he suffered an attack.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, Joseph stopped breathing and died shortly afterwards.

"He was such a kind and considerate person," said Susie.

"Since he died it is amazing how many friends have come forward and asked if they can attend the funeral."

Joseph, who was a former pupil of Ryedale School, in Nawton, near Kirkbymoorside, worked as a builder's labourer.

He lived at Nawton with his Susie, her daughter, Ashleigh, and their 19-month-old son, Jake.

"It was so sudden - it was a hot day and he had been asleep on the sofa," said Susie.

"When he woke up he started getting into difficulties. He was struggling to breathe so I called an ambulance.

"The drugs they usually give him work straight away but this time they weren't working. Eventually he stopped breathing and his heart stopped. There was nothing the paramedics could do."

Susie, who had been with Joseph for two-and-a-half years, said she wanted her partner to be remembered for his sense of kindness and fun.

"He was always laughing and joking around and he would do anything for you," she said.

"He loved socialising and drinking with his mates, but he was also an amateur mechanic and liked to fix cars and motorbikes. I'm grateful I've had him for this time."

Susie said that along with Joseph's parents, Wendy and Clive Gainford, of Kirkbymoorside, and his sister, Julie, of Helmsley, she was keen to raise awareness of asthma.

The family is asking friends to make a donation to the charity Aid Research Asthma instead of buying flowers.

"Joseph had suffered from it since he was about three years old, so I think he had learned to live with it," she said.

"In the past, he had occasionally had attacks but nothing which couldn't be stopped by the drugs.

"I always said working as a labourer wasn't the best job he could do because of his asthma, but he always said it didn't affect him."

Joseph's funeral and interment will be tomorrow at All Saints Church, Kirkbymoorside. Family and friends attending the funeral are invited to the Kings Head Hotel, in the town.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, August 22, 2001