MORE tributes were today paid to Ipswich lorry driver Kevan Paterson, the man who “everyone loved.”Mr Paterson's widow, Judith today told of her devastation at the loss of her “soulmate” who died when his lorry collided with a bridge on Wednesday on the A14 at Nacton.

by KATE BOXELL

kate.boxell@eveningstar.co.uk>

MORE tributes were today paid to Ipswich lorry driver Kevan Paterson, the man who “everyone loved.”

Mr Paterson's widow, Judith today told of her devastation at the loss of her “soulmate” who died when his lorry collided with a bridge on Wednesday on the A14 at Nacton.

And family friend, Tracy Gill, whose own daughter died last December, told how Mr Paterson, 46, had helped raise hundreds of pounds for her fundraising appeal.

Mr Paterson's death came as he and his wife were preparing to move into a new home - a move which Mrs Paterson now says is impossible.

She said: “He was my whole life. I feel like something inside me has died now.”

Mr and Mrs Paterson met six years ago through a Lonely Hearts column in The Evening Star and were due to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary in October.

To mark the occasion Mr Paterson had arranged for the couple to return to their honeymoon hotel in Cyprus.

Mrs Paterson said: “He was very romantic. Every week he would buy me something and on Monday there was a box on my pillow with a necklace in which said 'do not open until October 3” which was our wedding anniversary.

“He just did silly things. He would bring me a red rose home or take me out for a meal at least once a week.

“If a song came on the radio, we would dance around the kitchen like teenagers. We were just soulmates.”

Known to his friends as “Ginge” Mr Paterson and his wife ran pubs in Cambridgeshire and Bury St Edmunds.

While working at the Weeping Willow in Bury, the couple embarked on fundraising for their friend Shona Gill and Mrs Paterson said her husband was devastated when the 10-year-old passed away in December.

Mr Paterson had driven lorries with Shona's dad Pete and the families were extremely close.

Tracy Gill, Shona's mum, said: “Shona used to call him her Gingerbread man (because he had ginger hair).

“When they ran the pub they did a lot of fundraising for Shona and gave her a big birthday party. She had a ball.

“He was a great, kind man and gave Shona a lot of happy times.

“I will treasure our memories of him.

“Life is so cruel. Him and Judith were so in love and so happy.”

Pete Gill added: “Ginge liked everyone and everybody liked Ginge, I do not believe he had an enemy in the world, he adored his wife Jude.

“He was always there if his friends needed any help, in fact he would go out of his way to help folks.

“He was a big man in many ways, but I will never forget the time he visited Shona, shedding a tear for her.

“Ginge lived to drive, where ever you are now, my good mate, drive safely.”

Mrs Paterson, whose Laud Mews home is now filled with boxes in preparation for the couple's move next Friday, is now unsure about her future.

She said the words of support from friends and family and, in particular her sister Teresa, have helped her through the first days.

She is now preparing for a huge funeral with many of Mr Paterson's colleagues in attendance.

Mrs Paterson will read a poem dedicated to her husband at the funeral and the song How Can I Live Without You will be played.

N The funeral will take place at 2pm on Monday, September 19 at St Augustine's Church in Ipswich. The service will be followed by a burial at the Millennium Cemetery and a gathering at the California Club.

N If you would like to pay tribute to Mr Paterson write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk