A 30-YEAR-OLD man who died in a motorcycle accident was looking forward to becoming a father for the first time.
Barry Tomlin, of Sprucedale Close, Swanley, died on July 20 after losing control of his 600cc Honda sports bike in Warnham, West Sussex.
Mr Tomlin was out riding with a group of friends when he overtook a vehicle, hit a grass verge and lost control. He then hit a post.
His 19-year-old girlfriend of two years, Kerrie Orsler, is seven-and-a-half months pregnant with his child.
Mr Tomlin’s sister Angela, of Maiden Lane, Crayford, says he was a “loving” baby brother.
She said: “I am going to miss the entire person. He was loving, caring and very popular. The funeral will show that.
“He loved his girlfriend to bits. He was a motorbike instructor. It was his life, his passion.”
The 35-year-old mum-of-three added: “He always spoke his mind.
“Everyone he touched loved him. With Barry you had a friend for life.”
She said: “He couldn’t wait to become a dad.
“The closer it was getting, the more proud he became.
“He was working really hard to give the baby the best he could.”
Mr Tomlin also leaves behind two other sisters, 38-year-old Tracy Thornton from Manchester and Jane Burton, 40, of Heath Lane, Dartford. He had five nephews and three nieces.
Miss Tomlin, who is a PA, says her brother had been a motorcycle instructor in Lee Green for three years and also enjoyed fishing.
She says for his funeral Mr Tomlin will be taken in a Triumph motorbike sidecar, which will be blue and silver — the same colours as his motorbike.
Between 50 and 60 of his friends will be following on their motorbikes.
Miss Tomlin says people should not wear black, but his favourite colour of blue.
The funeral will take place at Eltham Crematorium, in Crown Woods Way, Greenwich, at 3.30pm on Friday. All are welcome.
Anyone who wants to get in touch with Miss Tomlin can call News Shopper on 01689 885705 and details will be passed on.
A date for an inquest into Mr Tomlin’s death has yet to be decided.
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