TRIBUTES have been paid to a beloved member of the community who died suddenly.

Mikey Weller died last month aged 39 but a coroner’s report last week could not determine how he died.

Mikey’s sister Ellie Benn, 35, of Witch Elm, Harwich, said she wants her brother to be remembered for the generous person he was.

She said: “Mikey was one of 12 children; we had a boisterous family.

“He was a very outgoing and adventurous person who tried to help everyone.

“His main passion was volunteering for the Mersea Island Festival, which he did for over 20 years.

“He was active with Colchester Pride and helped with their charity events.”

Mikey was born in Harwich but lived a lot of his life in Colchester, working at Chicago’s coffee and sandwich bar.

His colourful personality also led him to Bognor Regis where he worked as redcoat at Butlins.

Ellie highlights Mikey’s intelligence as a positive force in his motivation to help others.

She added: “Mikey was such a good uncle and he often took our children out for days on the beach and fun activities at the park.

“He was fond of quizzes and took part in a lot of quiz nights. He was just a knowledgeable person with a real zest for life.”

His artistic talents would also be used as Mikey would paint the faces of his nieces and nephews at school events.

A true individual, Ellie said Mikey’s range of interests was vast. He was a fan of pop music including the group Steps and more recently Korean pop.

She added: “Mikey was also interested in unique things like the supernatural. He would even go out to the beach to watch storms as he was into astrology.”

As the family have just received the coroner’s report, funeral arrangements have not been decided.

However, Ellie added as Mikey was such a beloved member of the community, the funeral will be open to the public.