WALTHAM FOREST: Son pays tribute to murder victim (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)
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WALTHAM FOREST: Son pays tribute to murder victim
2:48pm Monday 4th April 2011 in Your Local Areas By Daniel Binns
THE son of a man who was stabbed to death in front of his family has paid a moving tribute to his much-loved father.
Alan Robert Smith, 63, died when he was stabbed as he sat in Roma Café in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, at around 2.45pm on Saturday March 26.
He was sitting with his long-term partner Denise, his daughter Estelle and her partner when he was attacked.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy, son Alex Smith, 20, told the Guardian his family were struggling with their grief but had been comforted by the warm messages of support.
He said: “People I don't even know are coming up to me in the street and saying how much he meant to them.
"He had such a big influence on everyone he met, he loved to make people laugh and he always cared about other people.
“For me, every day of my life was a happy memory with him.
“Whenever I was grumpy he made me laugh, he always used to cheer up everyone around him. I can't fault him.
“Our family is distraught but in some ways it still hasn't really sunk in.”
Mr Smith, who was born and grew up in Bow, worked as a long-distance lorry driver but retired several years ago following a work-related back injury.
He had three children – Estelle from a previous marriage and two sons with partner Denise.
The couple lived in Islington for several decades before moving to a house in Hibbert Road, Walthamstow, last year.
A few months later he came within one number of winning the national lottery.
He guessed all the correct numbers except the bonus ball, which was 49. He had the number 48.
Alex, a building maintenance operator, said his father had lived a happy life.
He said: “He liked the small things in life. He liked his garden and he loved fishing. That's when I think he really felt at peace.
“You'll never meet a funnier man. He had a great sense of humour and was always making jokes.
“But nothing can sum him up. I just want to say how much I love him and I hope that somehow he'll hear or see this.”
Matthew Quefada, 25, of no fixed abode, has been charged with his murder. He will appear in court later this year.
Two other people are on bail in connection with the incident.
