MORE than 1,000 people turned up to remember the life of Newport butcher Patrick Turner who was a “friend to everyone”.

Patrick Turner, a butcher at AD Turner and Sons and Turner’s Fine Foods, died suddenly at the age of 53 on February 18 this year.

His funeral was held today at St Mary’s RC church in Stow Hill, Newport, with crowds of family, friends and community members filling the church and the street outside to show their respect.

Mr Turner, known as Pat, was described as “a generous man with a big heart” and “one of a kind”.

Father Michael, who led the service at the church, said: “Pat was a very likeable man. He would give away his last pound and fiver to someone outside the market, but that’s what Pat did.

“Everyone who knew him had a story to tell. The reason he made money wasn’t because he treated people with respect, he treated them as human beings. He was a successful business man. He had a big heart.”

His brother Paul Turner said Mr Turner was “an impossible act to follow” and “a true family man”.

He said: “The whistle has been called too early on Patrick’s life. I know he would continue to dedicate himself to his family.

“He gave so much to our family and many others. Patrick married Jane in 1996 and started a family immediately after. He was madly in love with her.”

Mr Turner’s sister Mary said: “He is irreplaceable and will always remain in our heart.”

His brother Michael Turner described Mr Turner as being a “funny man” and said that “anyone he met loved his sense of humour.”

Mr Turner was known for working in the market at AD Turner and Sons but he also set up a sister business selling hot and cold food, known as Turner’s Fine Foods. It is now called Pats Fine Foods in his memory.

He was also renowned for being the brains behind the NATO sausage and burger, which was launched ahead of the global summit in 2014.

Downing Street are even said to have sent representatives to buy the items and take them back to London.

He was married to his wife, Jane, for 30 years, and had three children Matthew, Daniel and Francesca. He was also the grandfather of Kaycie, Anaiya and Alfie.

His family stated that Mr Turner was a “a one off character” who “we all loved.”