Kevin Kirkland’s friends and family this week remembered him as a 44-year-old man who loved sport, computers and Wolves.
His mum Jean Foster told the Advertiser he was a happy man, while his brother Nigel Kirkland and close friend Andy Delamere also paid tribute.
Jean said: “He had his own life, but he didn’t live far away and his family were very close to him.
“We had him here for Sunday lunch every three weeks or so and when he put his phone down you could guarantee it would ring. He was very well known all over town and well-liked.
“Kevin was always very active, he played badminton once and week, he played five-a-side football and he liked going out for walks and biking.
“He was a great Wolves fan, he enjoyed a pint and he used to go to the matches now and again.
“One of his passions was computers, he was always very interested in them from an early age and they said there was nothing he couldn’t do with computers at school.
“One of his teachers said he was a model pupil and at work he was promoted several times, he always seemed to be able to solve any problem.”
Kevin’s brother Nigel, who is a mechanic and also lives in Newport, said Kevin was always on hand to help.
“I would always go round to help Kevin with his car and he would always help me with any problems I had with my computer,” said Nigel.
“I used to play football with him and we also did a bit of karate together. He had a great social life and he had made plans for New Year’s Eve with some of his friends.”
Andy Delamere, a close friend of the family for more than 30 years, said Kevin was best man at his wedding.
He said: “I found out the news on New Year’s Day and it was a great shock. We usually meet up around Christmas time but we didn’t get the chance to meet this year.
“He was always very happy. He was a great Wolves fan and I support Bolton so we often went to the games together. He would sit in the Bolton end with me but cheer along his side.”