HEARTBREAKING tributes are being paid to a dad who died a year after his young daughter passed away from a Strep A infection.
Robert McCorkindale, from Belfast, died on his 38th birthday on Monday.
His daughter Stella-Lily, five, fell severely ill in December 2022 and was rushed to Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.
She was treated in the intensive care unit but passed away on December 5.
Robert's funeral mass will take place at his mother's home next Tuesday.
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His death notice reads: "McCORKINDALE ROBERT died 8th January 2024.
"Devoted daddy of the late Stella Lily beloved son of Lorraine and the late Roy, cherished brother of Cheryl and Daniel.
"Funeral service to be held from his mother's home, 3 Bromley Street on Tuesday 16th at 10.30am and afterwards to Roselawn Crematorium for 12 noon.
"Family flowers only please. Will be sadly missed by his loving family circle.
"Death my friend, you have walked beside me my whole life, now its time to embrace you as a brother so you can take me home to my daughter."
A number of people rushed to social media to pay tribute to Robert.
Facebook page Shankill Somme wrote: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of one of our newest members, Robert McCorkindale.
"Robert joined the 1st Shankill Somme Association in 2023 and quickly became an integral part of our Somme family.
"His enthusiasm and dedication were evident to all, making him a well-liked and keen member of our association.
"Robert's absence leaves a profound void within our community, and he will be sorely missed by all members.
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"At this very sad time, our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies extend to the McCorkindale family.
"May they find comfort in the knowledge that Robert's memory and contributions to our association will always be cherished and remembered. Lest We Forget."
Another person said: "My heart is absolutely broken at the passing of Robert Mccorkindale today which is also his 38th birthday.
"After losing his beautiful young daughter Stella-Lily in December 2022 the rest of his family and friends have now lost him.
"I can't put into words how I feel. Devastated is an understatement!"
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire family circle."
Stella-Lily was the ninth child to die in a major outbreak of the illness in late 2022.
'WE LOVED EVERY MINUTE TOGETHER'
Robert paid an emotional tribute to his daughter after her passing - saying he wished she could have left the hospital holding his hand.
He wrote at the time: "I hope use all find the time to read this I don't have the strength to do a video.
"First of all I want to thank everyone of you from the bottom of my heart. If prays, thoughts, feelings and love could of worked she would of walked out of that hospital holding her daddy's hand.
"So from me and Stella-Lily thanks all of you for all you kind prayers and thoughts and feelings we felt everyone, words can't express our gratitude.
"When my daughter was born there was no other option than to bring her home and raise her amongst the greatest people in the world on the Shankill Road.
"We loved every minute together walking this road on our scooter rides or bikes rides, to shopping in Iceland to living beside the neighbours that ever walked this earth.
"From every business we were in to any bad bad booze place we passed everytime I looked up if someone didn't tell me how cute we were then use had big smiles for us."
