TRIBUTES have been paid to a Grimsby man who "lived for his family" and was "always the life and soul of the party".
Chris Wells, 37, died at his home in David Street on October last year, leaving his family with a hole they will "never be able to fill".
His proud mum Cynthia Beck said Chris had always been well liked by all those who came into contact with him – no matter how short the acquaintance.
She said: "He would do anything for anyone. That was just who he was."
She recalled fondly how, just three weeks before his death, Chris – who worked as an operator at BASF – had helped her move into a new flat and within minutes was chatting away to the neighbours like they were old friends.
Mrs Beck said: "He had finished his nightshift at 7.30am, picked up the removal van at 8am and spent the day helping me move.
"One of the neighbours offered to make us a cup of coffee and he was soon chatting away to them and making them all laugh.
"He was always like that. Once, he caught me doing some wallpapering and made me stop and put everything away, then came back the following day and did it for me.
"We were very close. He would always come and talk to me."
As reported, Chris took his own life.
However, apart from one minor episode six years before, he was known as the family "joker" who was popular and out-going – never showing any signs of depression. He was also popular with his colleagues at work, who told the devastated family he had been a good friend and valued member of the team, despite only being with the firm for 18 months.
He also leaves behind his daughters Casey Wells, 13, and Lauren Wells, 9.
His sister Vicky Palmer said she and Chris had been "very close", doing "everything" together and even going on family holidays together long after they had both married and had children.
She said: "We had really good holidays together and days out.
"In the summer, we would just say 'we're off' and head to Skegness, Mablethorpe, Appleby's for an ice cream, or Hubbard's Hills.
"He would always be the one playing with the kids.
"He loved taking them camping and they would often go off to places like Flamingo Land and camp."
Mrs Beck added: "We have a lovely family, but now a big part of it is missing."
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