Tributes for fireball dad pouring in (From Ledbury Reporter)
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Tributes for fireball dad pouring in
8:40am Friday 18th January 2013 in News
TRIBUTES: Lee Vine.
LEDBURY is mourning the loss of a “gentle giant with a wicked sense of humour”.
Tributes have been pouring in for popular businessman and motorcycle enthusiast Lee Vine, who died on Friday after being set alight by a fireball from a bonfire at his home in Falcon Lane almost two weeks earlier.
His family, who had been keeping a constant vigil by his bedside at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, have been left “devastated” by his death at the age of 50.
His partner Lyn Wall said the loss of Mr Vine, who had run Lee’s Motorcycles for more than 30 years, had “left a hole in our hearts that will never be filled”.
“Lee was a gentle giant with a wicked sense of humour,”
she said. “He charmed everyone who met him, children flocked to him and he always had time for nonsense.”
She said people were “feeling the loss very deeply” and the family had received kind words “from near and far”.
As well as his passion for motorcycles, Mr Vine – known as “Wooty” – was a keen craftsman.
Unbeknown to many he also had a passion for country and western music and regularly attended local events.
Former Mayor of Ledbury Ken Davies, also a neighbour in Falcon Lane, was among those who paid tribute. “I will always remember him as full of spirit,” he said. “He was very determined and hardworking, had built up a good business and deserved everything he had achieved.”
Bob Pearce, proprietor of neighbouring Homend business Station Domestic Appliances, said: “I have got nothing but fond memories of him. He was a lovely character and nobody ever had a bad word to say about him.”
Lee Motorcycles will continue to operate with his brother Jason and his partner Sue at the helm.
Funeral arrangements are still to be finalised, but it has been confirmed that the order of the day will be “biker gear and bright colours.”
Ms Wall thanked emergency service and hospital staff for making “an unbearable situation just that bit easier to bear” and friends, family, neighbours and customers for their messages of support.
Mr Vine also leaves behind children Luke and Leanne, stepson Sam, parents Dinah and Peter, brother Jason and his partner Sue and sons Conner and Ethan, and his faithful dog Ally, who was never far from his side.
