A POPULAR and fun-loving young Okehampton man who loved rap music and football was laid to rest yesterday surrounded by his family and many friends.
Paul Bradbury died suddenly almost two weeks ago from a rare heart condition after a night out with friends. He was 26.
The youngest son of Tony and Bea Bradbury, Paul had just taken on a job at North Tawton hauliers Gregorys and had moved back home from Exeter.
Cards and messages have been pouring into the family home in Crediton Road from friends of the young man, who recently qualified from college in computers and had everything to look forward to.
A major music fan, his parents had chosen tunes from Puff Daddy and R Kelly to play at the funeral and asked for Paul to be dressed in his favourite England football shirt, best jeans and trainers.
'We did everything we thought he would have wanted,' said Tony Bradbury. 'Paul was a character and all the cards we have received say something really personal about him. They have been a real comfort.'
Mr Bradbury said no-one was aware of Paul's heart condition and even though he suffered with chest problems and a skin complaint which affected his limbs, he never let it stop him enjoying himself.
'He loved life and lived his life to the full,' said Mr Bradbury. 'Friends were always coming around to the house and Paul liked socialising. He made friends wherever he went and they became friends for life.'
An Aston Villa fan from a young age, Paul occasionally went to see his team play and he liked travelling: 'I remember the two holidays we spent in America with the family and he absolutely loved it,' said his father. 'He kept saying he would like to live out there.'
A side unbeknown to most of his friends, Paul was also very affectionate and spent a great deal of time with his cousin Gavin Fallon from Exeter, who suffers from cystic fibrosis.
'He and Gavin were very close and he would often give him a cuddle or get upset when he was poorly,' said Bea Bradbury, who is now wearing the chain she gave to Paul on his 21st birthday.
'We can't really take in what has happened and you wake up each day thinking it's all been a bad dream,' she said. 'So many people knew and loved Paul, many more than we knew about, and it really is hitting everybody hard.'
Paul's ashes have been brought back to the family home and donations at the funeral are being given to cystic fibrosis research.
'I would just like to thank everybody who has sent cards and messages and flowers — they have all been so kind,' said Mrs Bradbury. 'We miss Paul dearly and will treasure these cards forever.'