THE heartbroken family of a beloved dad-of-five have paid tribute to the “kindest man you could ever meet” after his sudden death. 

Thomas Norman, 34, tragically died earlier this month after suffering a sudden aggressive infection linked to major heart surgery he underwent last year. 

Leaving behind partner Selene Bland, 37, three young children and two step-children, the family have paid tribute to Thomas as a kind and generous person, well-known in the city for his love of the water and his outgoing personality. Remembered - Thomas Norman Remembered - Thomas Norman (Image: Selene Bland) On the water - James and Thomas on the water On the water - James and Thomas on the water (Image: Selene Bland)


The dad, from Southend, underwent surgery on an aortic dissection – a tear in the inner layer of the body’s main artery – last year but his family were confident he had made a full recovery. 

Tragically, he developed an infection at the start of the month which led his to his sudden death on November 5. 

Selene said: “Thomas always loved the water, he was always on it and he had a jet-ski and a rigid inflatable boat as well as a paddleboard, he always did work on film sets as well and people would hire the boat. 

Seafaring - Thomas Norman Seafaring - Thomas Norman (Image: Selene Bland) Partners - Thomas and Selene Partners - Thomas and Selene (Image: Selene Bland)
“One of his friends and cousins had a business that works with the Sidemen Youtube group, and they needed a guy with a boat and she pointed them in his direction.

“He was thrilled to be doing that, he loved being on the water when he was there.”

Selene added: “He was always the kindest person and the nicest person you would ever want to meet, he didn’t have a nasty bone in his body and he just went out of his way to help people, however he could, and the outpouring of words from across Southend shows that.”

Selene also thanks Thomas’ oldest friend, James King, who “always kept him laughing and smiling.”

Thomas worked as a plumber and gas engineer, born in the city and starting his business there.

Following a trip to Devon in August, a “whistle-stop tour” of the beautiful area that Tom loved, going diving around the south coast with his family, Selene is paying further tribute by having his name put on an RNLI rescue boat stationed there.

She said: “As a family, they have a heavy involvement with diving and he was the same, he loved boats and I said that it would have been nice so his name is going to be inscribed on RNLI 13-03 in Exmouth.

“It is personal and a fitting way for him to be remembered.”