FRIENDS and relatives have paid their last respects to Mathew Hornsby, the "kind and gentle" 25-year-old stabbed to death in Freshbrook in April.
A packed chapel at Kingsdown Crematorium heard a moving tribute written by Mathew's fiancee Shayley Winter, 17.
And instead of hymns, around 50 mourners at the funeral heard some of Mathew's favourite pop songs.
At the end of the yesterday's service, as the coffin was committed, his brother Michael shouted out "Goodbye Mathew."
Shayley's tribute said: "He was sometimes a fool who could make me laugh."
She described him as a kind and gentle man who "was always there for me."
She said: "He wasn't perfect, but he was perfect for me."
Shayley said that the day they learned she was expecting a baby was the happiest of Mathew's life and that he had been eagerly making plans and dreaming of their future happiness together.
The reading was followed by the song I Have a Dream, by Abba.
Shayley is expecting to give birth to a baby boy in November and plans to call him Mathew.
The Rev Ann Mackenzie, who had been going to marry Shayley and Mathew at Lydiard Church, read the service.
She asked mourners to pray for those investigating Mathew's death so they may be given the insight to see that justice is done.
The service ended with the song Mirrors by Sally Oldfield, a record which was said to have been special to Mathew during his childhood.
The lyrics seemed to reflect the happiness he had found with his fiancee . . . "There's nothing in the world that you can do, to stop the light of love from shining through." Afterwards, mourners admired the many floral tributes for Mathew.
The note attached to one bouquet said: "Mathew you were a good friend, you were always there for us."
Another said: "Dear Mathew, you will never be forgotten."
One bouquet was in the shape of a small white dog, a reference to Mathew's beloved pet Megan, an English bull terrier, which was said to follow him everywhere.
The note attached said: "We couldn't let you go without your dog."
n Four men are being held in custody in connection with the killing of Mathew Hornsby.
The builder died after an incident outside Freshbrook Community Centre in April. The accused men are: Michael Ephgrave, 19, and his 42-year-old father Andrew, both of Holbein Close, Grange Park, Daniel Porter, 28, of no fixed abode and Nicholas Sheppard, 35, of Goldophin Close.
All are denying murder and are due to appear in Bristol Crown Court in September.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article