FAMILY and friends gathered to say a heartfelt farewell to a devoted father-of-three who died suddenly aged just 27.

Greig Rawlinson died as a result of a blood clot on December 21, two days after he collapsed at his home in Ramuz Drive, Westcliff.

More than 160 mourners packed into Southend Crematorium, in Sutton Road, to join his grieving wife Claire and family to pay tribute to his life.

The service opened to Bryan Adams’ song I Will Be Right Here Waiting For You. A moving tribute recorded by Mr Rawlinson’s father, Steve, was then played to the congregation.

He said: “Thank you to everyone for coming here today to celebrate the life of Greig, a wonderful husband, daddy, son, brother, grandson and friend to all of us.

“He was simply a good son who became a good man. I am very proud of him for many reasons, but especially for the way he loved and looked after Claire and his three beautiful children.”

The couple’s three young children Kai, seven, Tyler, three, and four-month-old Lilly Rose were not at the service.

Mr Rawlinson said his grandchildren were his son’s legacy and would always be a beautiful reminder of him.