TRIBUTES have been paid to a gentle and family-loving man.
West Ham United supporter Stephen "Butch" Burton, 53, of Grimsby, will be missed by all his family and friends who attended the funeral at St Michael's Church.
He died as the result of a blood clot in his leg.
Stephen was a regular at the Cartergate Social Club and made friends wherever he went with his bubbly and outgoing personality.
It is said he would do anything to help anybody, and used to volunteer at The British Heart Foundation charity shop, in Issacs Hill, Cleethorpes, for many years after he was forced to give up work with a bad back and damaged eye sight.
The former cold-store employee worked on Grimsby Docks for more than 20 years.
His youngest son, Sean Burton, 25, said: "It was a complete shock – we knew he had tests for blood clots but he was very secretive about things like that.
"He went to a wedding the day before with friends, so everyone was devastated when they heard the news.
"My father used to enjoy playing darts, and fishing to catch his tea. But, more importantly, he loved his family and four grandchildren.
"We grew close living together over the years – we helped each other out and he had his stubborn moments now and then."
The family used to take trips to Spain regularly, where Stephen would enjoy making new friends and spending quality time with his family.
Eldest son, Ryan Burton, 30, said: "He was a very happy person and we always used to enjoy going on holiday together – there used to be about 30 of us who went.
"His kindness and popularity was reflected in the 400 people who attended his funeral.
"He was loved by everyone."
And when he died, more than 20 support notices from family and friends were published with his death notice.
Close-family friend Graham O'Rourke described Stephen as a "brother". He said: "I used to join him on all-inclusive holidays and he used to go up to the buffet several times – and if you left anything on your plate he used to just eat it!
"When I revisited a hotel, the staff were asking me where Stephen was – everyone loved his personality.
"He was always in the gossip and used to like to know what was going on. He could chat for England."
Family announcements start on page 27.
Visit www.thisis announcements.co.uk for more tributes.
