A GRIEVING wife has today paid tribute to her husband who recently lost his long battle against chronic illness and alcoholism.Peter Baker, 53, of Barrack Road, Woodbridge, died from deep vein thrombosis – a blood clot which had formed in his leg travelled up to his heart, causing him to collapse.

A GRIEVING wife has today paid tribute to her husband who recently lost his long battle against chronic illness and alcoholism.

Peter Baker, 53, of Barrack Road, Woodbridge, died from deep vein thrombosis – a blood clot which had formed in his leg travelled up to his heart, causing him to collapse.

Today Mrs Baker pays tribute to the former community volunteer and keen golfer, and asks that people remember the man he was before he became ill and began drinking.

She said: "He was a person who would always help others before himself.

"He did a lot of work with the Disability Advice Service in Woodbridge and worked with a disabled golf group at Waldringfield golf club.

"He loved playing but his illness made it impossible. He desperately wanted to play but he used to just go up there and watch after he became ill."

Mr Baker's problems began in 1997 when he was diagnosed with painful joint condition ankylosing spondilitis.

The condition made it impossible for him to continue working as a sales manager – a job which he loved and excelled in – and he became depressed, turning to alcohol for comfort.

The Evening Star first featured Peter's story in May when his wife Jenny was searching for a suitable rehabilitation centre for him.

He moved out of the family home in May when his condition deteriorated and lived in two different flats in the town before his death.

Mrs Baker believes he should have been in a proper rehabilitation centre.

She said: "I believe Peter gradually went downhill because he was not getting the treatment he needed.

"He just felt that he was no use to anyone, let alone himself.

"When people just give up like he did it's terrible.

"I still believe he didn't get the proper care he needed and should have been in a rehab centre."

His ashes were scattered by the River Deben in Woodbridge.

Mrs Baker said: "He used to go and sit there a lot and loved to be beside the river, watching the world go by."

Mr Baker and his wife have three teenage children.