LARGE crowds of socially distanced mourners came together at a cafe to pay their respects to a “gentle giant” who kept clubbers and revellers safe for decades.

Terry Forrester, 63, died after a sudden heart attack in his Westcliff home - but spent more than 40 years as a doorman at various clubs in Southend.

A service was held at Southend Crematorium on Friday and this was followed by a safe gathering outside The Salisbury Cafe, West Road, Westcliff.

His cousin John Emmanuel, 60, from Westcliff said everyone who has enjoyed a night out in Southend will know Terry.

He said: “He worked at various places including The Royal Hotel, The Borough Hotel, Southend College, and many more.

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Popular - Terry Forrester

“He was a friend to so many people and was a very sociable man and a real character and became so well-known in Southend.

“He had four children and at least three grandchildren too.

“He was a doorman and security guard from his teenage years.

“Community protection was a big part of his life and he was a hardworking man.

“He also worked at Sendaz electrical shop and was an amazing electrical expert and it was all self-taught.

“His death was such a shock to the family as it was so sudden and he didn’t have any health issues.”

Mr Emmanuel said he has lots of happy memories of his cousin and they were more like brothers.

He said Mr Forrester enjoyed the social part of the job as a security guard.

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Friends of Terry Forrester gathered to pay their last respects

He added: “He worked on the seafront pubs and nobody would miss him and he was also a very funny man too.

“The feedback on Facebook has been amazing and lots of random people have messaged me who I don’t even know to say Terry was like a dad to them.

“He was always there and would listen to anyone.”

The cousin described him as a jovial man and as a someone who would listen to people, even though he couldn’t help them.

He said Mr Forrester is summed up by all the kind messages from people online.

“Nobody ever said a bad word about the grandfather”, his cousin added.