Supermarket delivery driver Sam Langton

Born in Grantham, Lincoln, as Simon Andrew Langton, he was known to friends and loved ones as Sam and was a brother to Nick, Tim, Jason and Deborah, who all went to the local primary and secondary schools.

He worked in the maltings in Grantham and lived in the area until around 18 years ago when he moved to Dorset with his wife and the mother of his sons, Martin, Mark and Sam, before the couple separated. He worked for Safeways in Bearcross and met his second wife, Marlene, at a work social event, when Sam was living in Witchampton in East Dorset and Marlene lived in Wallisdown.

Sam and Marlene got married nine years and continued to work for Waitrose together, formerly known as Safeways, where he worked on the tills and later took on a role as a delivery driver for the firm at their Winton branch.

Marlene said that younger members of staff had described Sam as an inspiration and like a surrogate father to them.

Together the couple enjoyed walks to the River Stour, which is close to their home, and holidays abroad to various locations, some of which Sam would organise as a surprise trip for Marlene.

He had a scooter for a short time and enjoyed going to mod, ska and reggae music events with Marlene, including Soul on the Sea, which was an annual event held on Bournemouth Pier.

Sam loved to support Manchester United and would enjoy going to see them at matches when he could. He also liked going fishing and enjoyed walks along the beach.

His wife, Marlene, described Sam as having an abrupt but cheeky sense of humour, who planned to continue travelling and enjoying holidays with his wife in their future years together.

He died suddenly from an aortic aneurysm on January 10 at his home with his wife, Marlene, by his side.

Sam's funeral takes place on February 5 with the hearse carrying his coffin being followed by his Waitrose delivery van past the Winton branch and onto Bournemouth Crematorium.