IPSWICH: He was more than just our brother, he was our friend.

They are the touching words from the grieving siblings of Nathan Davis, as they bravely said their last goodbyes to the 19-year-old.

In front of hundreds who gathered for talented guitarist’s funeral yesterday, Nathan’s sister, Emma 24, and brothers Sam, 22 and 16-year-old George stood to pay their respects, remembering their much-loved brother as someone they could talk to in their time of need.

Adorning a spray of bright red flowers, in the shape of a guitar, a message from the trio, read: “For an irreplaceable brother and friend, rest in peace.”

Nathan’s body was found in the River Orwell in the early hours of Tuesday, July 12 after concerned motorists reported seeing a man on the Orwell Bridge.

Friends from all corners of Nathan’s life, joined his siblings and parents Mark and Tina Davis of Belstead Avenue, at the service at Seven Hills Crematorium.

Speaking about his treasured son, who was in his first year at Nottingham University, Mr Davis said: “Tina, Emma, Sam, George and myself all feel we have lost more than a son and brother.

“It is hard to explain but we each feel we have lost an irreplaceable friend who had an uncanny ability to lift your spirits with a joke, an action, even a strop or his sheer zest for life, which now might seem like a contradiction as I speak but isn’t.

“He will leave a massive hole in our family.

“I know we will all be inspired by his memory and the way he lived his life. What has happened may be tragic, but Nathan was as far from a tragic person as it is possible to be. He had a very wise head for those young shoulders.”

Some of Nathan’s favourite songs from his iPod were played during the service.

The theme music from the former Stoke and Northgate High School student’s favourite film, Jurassic Park played, as did Thin Lizzy’s hit Whiskey in the Jar, followed by Willy Mason’s Oxygen and Bob Marley’s Two Little Birds, a song Nathan once told his dad he could never be unhappy listening to.

His grandparents and girlfriend, Jodie, also stood to pay their tributes at the funeral, as a series of photos of Nathan played on a reel to the congregation.

Mr Davis added: “It was a great comfort to us all to see so many people there.

“Friends from all over the country, from Nottingham University, both Stoke and Northgate, former teachers and friends of the family came.

“It has been a very emotional day, we would like to thank everyone who came for their support.”

At the service the congregation donated to the organ donation charity Live Life Then Give Life and Young Minds, which helps troubled youngsters.

n Pay your tributes to Nathan. Call the newsdesk on 01473 324788 or you can e-mail starnews@evening star.co.uk