FRIENDS, family and workmates have paid moving tributes to a “fun-loving and bubbly” Bridgwater father who has died three months after being told he had cancer.

Lee Baker, 28, of Alderney Road, died in the early hours of Saturday. 

Lee, a bricklayer with Bridgwater-based building contractors Harris Bros and Collard, leaves behind his wife Lindsey, 28, and daughter Lillie, one.

Lindsey said: “He was a fun-loving and bubbly person who got on with everyone and was always willing to help people. He was always that ‘thumbs up’ kind of person.

“I knew him from when we went to school together at Chilton Trinity – apparently he used to eye me up in my PE gear.

“When Lee came out of hospital in June and came home, we decided soon after that we wanted to get married.

“I asked for his parents’ approval and we were married five days later.”

Lee and Lindsey were married on July 9 at their home in Bridgwater. And it was an occasion made extra-special as they also arranged to have daughter Lillie’s christened on the same day.

Lindsey said: “The vicar cameand did the ceremony at our house with a special licence and waived all fees.

“We would have got married eventually – I would have dragged him down the aisle kicking and screaming anyway.”

Janice Baker, Lee’s mother, wrote on Facebook to thank supportive friends and family who
have helped her through the loss of Lee, the eldest of her seven
children.

She said: “I would like to saythank you to everyone for my cards, flowers and messages after the loss of my son Lee. I am going to miss him so much xx”

Steve Travis, managing director at Harris Bros and Collard, said: “Lee was hard-working and a fantastic tradesman. He’d been here since work experience and his apprenticeship and was popular with all the workforce; we will really miss him.

“He was a happy person and really enjoyed what he did; he was everything you could want
from a person.”

Jane Gibbs, Lee’s mother-inlaw, paid an emotional tribute on his Facebook page – she said:

“You are a very brave young man. I'm so glad Lindsey Baker found you, I’m very proud to call
you my son-in-law.

“Love and miss you always, you will never be forgotten. Your beautiful daughter will definitely know what a special person her daddy is.”

The Rev Bernard Joy, who conducted the wedding ceremony and christening, said: “I thought the courage and dignity shown by everyone, not just Lee and Lindsey, in leading up to what was going to happen, was incredible.

“It was the first time that some of Lee’s brothers had seen him since he went into hospital but it was lovely of them to go over and embrace their brother.

“I was privileged and humbled, to be there with them all.”

The funeral is on August 14 at St Francis’s Church. The family says everyone is welcome.