'The life and soul of the party': Tributes paid to grandfather killed in Whitchurch crash
Tributes were today paid to a much-loved father and grandfather who was killed in a motorbike crash on a busy Shropshire road.
Tony Pattison from Minsterley died last Thursday on the A41 at Sandford near Whitchurch.
His son Ashley Pattison said his father was the "life and soul" of the party and will be missed by everyone.
He said: "Dad was a real family man. He was a father, a grandfather and his grandchildren loved him because he was just like a child himself and he was photo mad, he loved having pictures of his grandchildren.
"He had family in Minsterley, Pontesbury, Shrewsbury, he was originally from Sunderland too. There are a lot of families grieving for dad right now."
Mr Pattison said his father, who was known by Puma to his friends, was loved by all who knew him.
He said: "Not only did he have his family, he had so many friends. Everyone is just down on their knees grieving for him right now because he was just always at the centre of everything and everyone. He brought people together, all his friends say they only know each other because dad was the man in the middle who brought everyone together.
"Although we're going through a terrible time grieving right now it's been a comfort to see just how many people loved dad. We knew dad was a popular man but the amount of people telling us how much they loved him has just surpassed what we'd thought. It's unbelievable."
Mr Pattison said prior to his father's death, he was just coming to terms with his son's death.
He said: "My brother Harley died of cancer last year and dad was of course devastated by the loss of his son, and really as a family we had only just started to get over his death.
"Just before dad died he had finished making a wooden plaque for Harley's grave, so I suppose you could say he was at peace then."
At the time of his death, the 53-year-old worked as a contractor for Cooper Green Pooks.
Mr Pattison said his father's death has come as a "big shock" to those who knew him.
He said: "Bikes were dad's hobby, he'd driven all over the world on them. He had every kind of licence for vehicles, so it has come as a big shock to everyone because he was person who would never be reckless.
"Before his death he had just come from the Raven meet - it was a Thursday meet that he would always go to."
Mr Pattison said his father would be best remembered for his sense of humour.
He said: "Dad was famous for his humour. He was quick witted with his one liners. He made everyone laugh and truly was the life and soul of the party."
Mr Pattison leaves behind son Ashley, partner Yvonne, grandchildren Charlotte, Isabella, Mia and Evan, and siblings Gary, Lenny, Denise and Lizzy.
His funeral takes place on Thursday, September 24 at St George's Church, Pontesbury, at 12 noon followed by a wake at Pontesbury Public Hall.
His family would appreciate donations which would be shared between the Midlands Air Ambulance and the Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice, Norwich.
