TRIBUTE has been paid by the family to "kind, caring and generous " John Welch, who died in the Tunisia terror attack, following the funeral for him today. 

Mr Welch, 74, a retired plumber who lived in Corsham, died alongside his partner Eileen Swannack, 73, of Biddestone, during the attack in Sousse last month.

The funeral for him was at West Wiltshire Crematorium, Semington, today.

Mr Welch and Mrs Swannack, who were both widowed, were among 38 people, 30 of them British, killed when gunman Seifeddine Rezgui opened fire on holidaymakers on a tourist beach.

They had been together eight years and were staying at the RIU Imperial Marhaba - a hotel they "adored" and stayed in every year of their relationship.

The funeral for Mrs Swannack took place in Biddestone last week.

His family said: “John was born in Abertillery, Monmouthshire, South Wales in 1940. However, he moved to Corsham in Wiltshire and lived all of his life there. He was the eldest of three children and was a retired plumber. He was very well known and liked by many in the Corsham area.

“John was Dad to Nickie, Mandie and Chris. He was also Grandad to Daniel, Lauren, Sam and Arron, and Great Grandad to Mya, Jacob and Holly.

“As a young man John was very involved in football and enjoyed a life long passion for sport. He loved to ski and in later years became a keen tennis player, playing two to three times a week with his best friend Bill.

“John also loved to travel, and together with Nanette, his partner of almost 30 years, had many special holidays all over the world. Sadly Nanette was taken from us in 2005.

“As well as traveling, he loved to socialise. We were so pleased when he met Eileen as he had someone special to share these things with.

“Dad was a kind, caring and generous man. Always willing to lend a hand. He had a great sense of humour and was good fun to be with. He always said hello, and as so many people have commented on, had the most 'amazing blue eyes'

“He will be greatly missed by us all.

“We, John’s family, would like to thank everyone for the support and kind messages we have received. The many cards and flowers have been a great comfort to us.

“We would like to thank everyone for all the assistance we have received during this difficult time. We would especially like to thank the Wiltshire Police Liaison Officer and also all at RAF Brize Norton for the dignified repatriation ceremony afforded to Dad.

“Our thoughts are also with Eileen’s family and all of those who have also lost loved ones in this terrible event.”