He was a gentleman who was loved by everyone who knew him. Those were the sentiments used last night to describe a popular father-of-two from Ipswich who died just one week after discovering he was suffering from a brain tumour.

Town fan Lee Calver, who moved to the Liverpool area when he was a youngster, had been suffering with a headache for several days before waking up in the early hours of Mother’s Day feeling confused and unwell.

The 38-year-old was taken to hospital that day, where tests revealed his condition. Later that week he underwent a successful eight-hour operation to remove 50% of the tumour.

But his condition quickly deteriorated and he died on the Sunday. Doctors believe Lee only had the ‘high grade’ tumour for a matter of weeks.

Paying tribute to her husband Lee’s wife, Lisa, of Formby near Liverpool, said: “He has been fondly remembered up here.

“He was a quiet man. He loved his football and any sport really.

“He was popular with his work colleagues – nobody has had a bad word to say about him. He had an excellent relationship with my little boy, they idolised each other, they were like best friends.

“He was a fit and healthy man, that’s why it was such a shock.”

Despite moving away from Suffolk at a young age, Lee still had friends and family in Suffolk and would regularly holiday in the area, particularly in Felixstowe.

His sister, Nicola Robinson, of Ipswich, added: “He was cheeky and he was a really fun and lovable guy. He was so easy to get on with.

“He wasn’t perfect, none of us are, but he had some really good friends. He was a genuinely good guy who was loved by friends and family.”

Following his death, Lee’s friends in Ipswich raised money for a memorial brick, which will be placed at Portman Road.

This weekend, a memorial fundraising walk is also due to take place around Alton Water to raise funds for the hospital that treated Lee, the Walton Centre, in north Liverpool.

It is hoped the walk will raise £2,000 for the centre. Lee’s sisters Nicola and Kerrie Williams are currently fundraising.

Nicola added: “It is so hard but because I am doing this walk, it’s keeping me focussed.”

Lee is survived by his wife, Lisa, stepson Ben, eight, and his daughter Bethan, 11.

If you would like to sponsor the walk, please visit: justgiving.com/nicola-robinson13