MOURNERS paid tribute to “delightful” Graham Reeve, who was found stabbed and strangled in a flat on the Greenstead estate.

About 60 people filled Colchester Crematorium yesterday to pay their respects.

The 55-year-old was found in a flat next to his own in Charles Pell Road, Colchester, in July.

The Rev Peter Evans told those assembled Mr Reeve had been the “victim of our senseless society”. He admitted the way he had died meant his family and friends were still in shock and struggling to come to terms with his loss.

The sombre crowd were asked to look beyond their emotions, and use the service as an opportunity to give Mr Reeve the tribute he deserved.

They were asked to recall the “kind, gentle man”, who “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.

The minister also spoke of Mr Reeve’s passion for cricket, and later in life for golf.

He was described as a “serious golfer”, travelling all over the UK and the world on golfing holidays.

At his brother Brian’s request, there were no hymns and the religious side of the service was minimised, but two of Graham’s friends gave moving speeches.

Neil struggled to speak as he paid tribute to his best friend, saying words could not describe how much he would miss him.

Supported by another close friend of Mr Reeve’s, Donna, Neil told the congregation that Graham used to say, “See you later, you delightful people”.

Paying tribute to his friend one final time, Neil said: “So now I say, see you later, you delightful person. I will miss you so much.”

Another close friend, Sean, read an emotional poem, before he remembered the good times of cricket and nights in the pub.

He brought a smile to the crowd when he reminded them of Graham’s “lack of conversation, and texts”, recalling the one short reply he would get in response to five long messages.

l THREE people have been charged with murdering Graham and are to face Chelmsford Crown Court on September 28.