Tributes to dad, 53, who ‘loved life’

Tributes have been paid to an Ashford father who died at the age of just 53.

Willesborough man Paul Bibbings died on April 2, leaving behind his only daughter Chloe.

It is not yet known what caused the father-of-one’s death, with investigations ongoing.

Ms Bibbings said that her father “loved life to the extreme”.

“He was a larger-than-life character”, she said, “and the brightest light at any party.

“He laughed the loudest and forgave the quickest, and he was a real cheeky chap around the women who doted on him for his antics and his cheeky smile.

“He will be deeply missed by me every day but at least now he is reunited with my grandad, John Bibbings, and the love of his life, my mum Debbie.

The former security guard, HGV driver and British Rail train driver suffered conditions including Lymphoedema that saw him housebound for a large part of the last 10 years of his life.

Before that, Chloe said he could often be found on Princes Parade in Hythe enjoying a “cheeky ice cream while watching the waves”.

She said: “He saw it as a place to be mindful and get strength from – helping him to keep moving forward, be positive and remain hopeful for a healthier tomorrow.”

His close friend Marty Seare said that Paul’s death left him with “a quiet emptiness I can’t quite describe”.

“He was a gentle giant, my brother from another mother, and he shared so many conditions with me,” he said.

“Going to call him at 3am when I am sitting up in pain and realising he’s no longer there breaks my heart.

“I just need to keep my promise to Paul and look after his daughter as we made a promise if I died he would watch over my family and if Paul passed I would watch over Chloe.”

A fundraiser has been set up in Paul’s memory, to help pay for his funeral.

Chloe said: “Without a will that we can find, or any insurance policies, I am struggling to find the money to give my dad the funeral he deserves or even a funeral at all.

“This hurts as I think of all the joy and love he gave to people, all the time he took making sure people were genuinely okay and for all the taxes he paid - the government has even refused assistance with costs and so I am alone.”

To donate, visit bit. ly/3sUkH1F

Willesborough resident Paul Bibbings was just 53