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BRUNSWICK, Ohio--A Brunswick husband and father thought he had the flu, but actually was suffering from a life-threatening illness, made worse by an undiagnosed birth defect.

Rich Kirkpatrick could’ve, and some say should’ve died several times in mid-December of 2012.

Family members and friends said he was saved because of several miraculous occurrences and angels both on earth and above.

“Every possible miracle that occurred, occurred because of those three guardian angels,” said Jennifer Kirkpatrick.

And one of the angels just happened to be a Brunswick Blue Devil; Blake Bartchak and three friends had died earlier that same year in a tragic car accident.

The Bartchaks and Kirkpatricks were not only neighbors but close friends. Both families believe Blake was one of the three angels who helped bring Rich back from the brink of death.

“It makes me...it just really makes me happy,” said Terri Bartchak, Blake’s mother.

*Watch Suzanne's story above*