Hundreds of mourners gathered to say a final goodbye to a popular father-of-three who died after a collision involving a lorry.

Shawnn Swaby of Elliot Road, Thornton Heath, was on his way to work when he was knocked from his motorbike on Roman Way, at about 9.30am on Saturday, November 9.

Police, paramedics and London's Air Ambulance attended the incident but the 38-year-old, who worked in finance, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Last Thursday, his family and friends gathered at Church of God 7th Day in West Croydon, for a service of thanksgiving with many guests wearing "RIP" t-shirts bearing Mr Swaby's picture.

During the service it was revealed Arsene Wenger manager of Mr Swaby's beloved Arsenal football club had written to his mother Doreen offering his condolences.

Mr Wenger wrote: "Although I did not have the privilege of knowing Shawnn personally, I am aware he enthusiastically followed the fortunes of his team and for this we are extremely grateful.

"I wish you to know our thoughts are with you at this very sad time."

A eulogy was given by Mr Swaby's uncle Harold Parr, who reminisced about his nephew's love of music.

He said: "People that knew Shawnn would know his passion for music, he was always dancing, singing and always sampling his own beats.

"He was a fantastic swimmer and constantly remained active by going to the gym and always comparing chest and arm sizes with me. He was also a very keen ice skater.

"He loved sparring and joking with his mother, winding her up and she would get cross with him, followed by the contagious laugh and grinning his teeth."

Mr Parr also spoke about his nephew's passion for bikes describing him as a "safe rider that had all the safety gear you could think of."

He said: "He bought a sport exhaust for his bike that had Shawnn written all over it because it was so loud. He said when it was late at night, he used to push the bike from the top of the road just that he wouldn’t disturb anyone."

Paying tribute to the biker he added: "Shawnn had amazing enthusiasm for life, he was so optimistic in everything he did and wished for and hardly ever got upset when disappointed.

"What we will miss most is his contagious laugh where he would fall to his knees and his unforgettable smile."

 

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