"A hard working, decent, nice chap" is how Miriam Parker described her older brother David Hughes.

The 61-year-old died at his home in Queenborough - nine months after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

After being given the devastating news it had spread to his bones and was terminal, the father-of-two organised a living wake so that he could see as many of his friends and family, past and present, as possible while he was still alive.

The party was held at the Minster Working Men’s Club in Union Road on April 28, but David could not make it after taking a turn for the worse.

He collapsed shortly beforehand and was rushed to Medway hospital, before being sent home for palliative care.

However, it was his wish that the party went ahead without him and more than 150 people turned out, raising around £600 for Cancer Research.

David’s sister Miriam, who lives in Minster, said: “Lots and lots of people who hadn’t seen each other for years all got back together, thanks to David.

“They’ve all become great friends again and after that night they all got back in touch with David and visited him regularly.

“One lady he hadn’t seen for 30 years, since he worked at Klippons – it was wonderful.”

She added: “If anything good can come out of this awful thing, it’s that these people are going to stay friends and it’s all down to David.”

David was born at Minster hospital on September 29, 1956 – he was one of six siblings.

He grew up in Noreen Avenue, Minster, before going to Minster Primary School, then onto Sheerness Secondary School for Boys and Sheppey Comprehensive.

He trained to become a master baker and confectioner and his first job was at Woods Bakery in Parsonage Chase, Minster.

He moved to a job at Klippons, in Halfway, before heading over to Queenborough Rolling Mill.

He then went back to baking at Morrisons in Sittingbourne.

“He was never out of work,” Miriam said.

“He also played lots of sport. He was captain of the Eastchurch cricket team, Klippons’ cricket and football team, and a member of a number of fishing clubs.”

She added: “David was the best big brother I could wish for.”

As well as Miriam, David leaves Linda, his girlfriend of 17 years, daughters Emma and Lauren, and grandchildren Carys, Jayden, Sasha and Savannah.

His funeral details have not yet been confirmed.