TODAY the family and friends of a Cleethorpes man who "laughed lots, loved life and lived it to the full" will come together to pay tribute to him.
Ben Che Nash, 30, of Wollaston Road, died of what are believed to be natural causes whilst working as an electrician in a bakery, in the town of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
His dad, John, said Ben had been fine when he went to bed, but was found dead by his workmates, from Blackrow Engineering, after passing away in his sleep.
It had been supposed to be his final trip to the African country before taking a break from his career and travelling the world, including trips to Thailand and Australia, where John was hoping to meet up with him.
He said: "It was a shock to us all.
"Ben and I didn't have the usual father son relationship. It was more father and best mate.
"He always said he wanted to be like me and I always said I wanted to be like him!
"When we used to work together when he worked at my company, Eurolec, we would always share a room and the other lads would say how much they envied our relationship."
He recalled how Ben had always been "the life and soul", wherever he went and said he envied his ability to make even a passing acquaintance feel like an old friend.
John added: "He would speak to you for ten minutes and you would feel like he had known you forever – that was just his personality.
"He was always in the middle of things and making everyone laugh – it was hard to find a picture of him where he wasn't pulling a face!"
He also spoke of Ben's generosity, adding he would "do anything for anyone" – particularly his beloved niece, Ellie, who he doted on.
John said: "He loved Ellie, his brother Kai's daughter. He was getting to the age where he wanted to settle down and have kids of his own. I know he would have made an absolutely wonderful dad."
Ben's outgoing personality was also coupled with a love of music – both of which he took from his late mother Chez – who was well-known for playing in local bands, such as Starvin' Sid and the Infernal Blues and later, the Honey Badgers.
As reported, Chez died in October 2009, after developing a brain tumour.
However, her love of music lived on in Ben, who not only learned to play the piano – but loved attending musical events, ranging from major festivals like Glastonbury to raves and nightclubs with his friends.
John said: "I had an amazing 30 years with Chez and an amazing 30 years with Ben.
"He was someone who just lived life and laughed lots."
"I was privileged to have him as a son and to have had that time with him."
Believed to have died from natural causes, the family is awaiting official confirmation from the Congolese authorities.
Funeral details
Ben's funeral will take place today at the Grimsby Crematorium from 1pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to St Andrew's Hospice, via Alexander's Funeral Care, in Carr Lane, Grimsby.
For more local tributes, log on to www.thisisannouncements.co.uk. Family announcements can be read from page 23 of today's paper.
