TRIBUTES have been paid to ‘life of the party’ and ‘family man’ Martin Gordon, who died last month aged 30.

The body of Martin was found in Fardon on November 9 after a wide-scale search was launched when he went missing.

Martin was a popular character and known to many around Malpas, either as a regular in the village’s pubs or through his work at Wise’s egg factory.

And Simon Gordon, older brother of Martin, has shared the enthusiastic nature of his brother, describing him as someone who ‘made the most of life’.

“We were all close,” said Simon. “Me him and dad all worked together and he was very popular at work.

“He was down to earth in the day but loved a party after work and made the most of his life.”

If ever the was an occasion to have fun, Martin made the most of it, says Simon.

“Whenever there was a gathering or a celebration he just loved it,” added Simon. “He loved karaoke, especially Billy Ocean and he loved Elton John.

“It’s funny as he liked bringing old stuff back. I’m a Billy Ocean fan now because of Martin.

“He had a positive influence. At our cousin’s wedding last year he was getting all the older ladies up to dance.

“We always used to laugh our heads off. It was just him that did that, no one else. He didn’t need alcohol to have a good time, even during the working day.”

“It didn’t have to be a party or a gathering, he just knew how to have a good time.”

Simon says Martin was also dedicated to his family.

“It’s a bit of a cliché to say someone is a family man but Martin genuinely was,” added Simon.

“His nephews and nieces and us are what he tried to focus his activities on.

“His daughter Lilly was a big part of his life too, he was so close to her.

“He was always round here and my little boy Joshua loved him to bits and he thought the world of him.

“I just took Martin being there as him always being there. I was thinking he was going to be in my life for the rest of my life.

“You don’t think someone of a young age is not going to come back, especially someone so healthy.

“We played football togethers, we’ve run the Chester half marathon together, we’ve done boxing events together.“He went to the gym in Malpas a lot, always at the gym when he could – he balanced family, work and his social life and activities well. “He was just good at being Uncle Martin, he’s got five nieces and nephews and we’ve got one on the way, which we will name after Martin.”

“He was just a decent lad, his head and his heart was in the right place and always put his kids first.”

Simon says that as well as being his brother, he considered Martin his best friend.

“He always made the most of any outings or adventures we had,” added Simon.

“He loved buying me crap presents at Christmas and on birthdays. Because I shaved my head one year he bought me a hair dryer – he’d go out of his way to buy my the stupidest presents.

“I did the same with him in the end, he didn’t do things by the norm. A decent present from him was something silly.

“He wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend too.

“I worked with him, he came round in the evenings, we went to fitness classes when we could. Played darts and football together over the years.”

Simon adds that Martin was an incredibly popular figure, and says he is happy to have ‘thousands’ of happy memories together.

“We have good memories, he was loved by a lot of people,” added Simon. “A lot of people thought so highly of him, a lot of people in our friendship circle thought of him as a brother.

“He always seemed to find time for everyone.

“Those times are precious, I’m fortunate enough to have thousands of moments with him.

“I suppose I’ve been spoilt.”