Sister pays tribute to ‘big hearted’ brother, 41, who died suddenly at his Northampton home

A sister has paid tribute to her ‘big hearted’ brother who died suddenly last week.

Ruslan Cerepanaks was just 41 when he died at his home in Thorplands last Tuesday (January 12).

His family have been left devastated by the sudden death, which medics say was caused by a heart problem.

Ruslan, who has a 17-year-old daughter, was originally from Latvia, but had lived in Northampton for around 14 years and used to work in warehouses until he injured his back a couple of years ago.

In the last few years of his life, Ruslan dedicated most of his time to caring for his mother who is disabled.

Katrina Golovko - Ruslan’s younger sister - has now paid tribute to her brother who she says ‘always put others before himself’.

She said: “Ruslan was just a really nice person. He was the main person who looked after my mum and he was always helping her.

“But also if we ever needed him he was there for us and we could call him anytime.

“He was amazing with kids and he barely ever thought about himself.

“He was just a big hearted person, really.”

Although Ruslan did have a heart condition, Katrina did say he had been experiencing chest pains since Christmas, but he thought it would be fine, ‘as he always did’.

Katrina added: “It was really unexpected and we are all really going to miss him.

“We would really like to give him a good send off with a ceremony here.

“My sister was murdered 20 years ago when she was 16, so my mum does not want to have to bury another child.

“Instead, Ruslan will be cremated and my mum wants to take his ashes to Latvia.”

To help facilitate the send off he deserves, Ruslan’s family are asking if other friends and family, or former work colleagues, would kindly donate to a fundraiser.

The family is aiming for £3,000 to help pay for Ruslan’s family.

More than £1,200 has already been raised and the fundraiser has been shared broadly on social media.

To donate to Ruslan’s funeral fund, visit the GoFundMe page here.

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