To the outside world he was a "legend" who would do anything to help his friends and neighbours.
But behind the smile and laughter, loving dad Karl 'Patty' Patterson was battling an addiction that would eventually take his life. Karl, 52, passed away at his Cullercoats home last month after his health went downhill rapidly due to alcoholism.
On Friday the seaside village he loved came to a standstill as the father-of-three, who has been described as a "local legend" was taken to his final resting place. And today after saying their last goodbyes Karl's loved ones have paid tribute to him.
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His brother Darren, 50 said: "My brother was an absolute legend of a guy. He was a character and he would help anyone and do anything, he was such a big-hearted lad. He was a Cullercoats boy through and through."
And his partner Kerry Quinn, 47, added: "If he could help anyone he would. He would go out if his way to help somebody,"
Karl worked for North Tyneside Council as a plumber for a number of years before becoming part of the authority's environmental hit squad set-up to keep the borough clean and tackle fly-tipping.
He was also a proud father to Oliver, 26, Freya, 24 and 22-year-old Lucy and had recently become a grandfather. Darren moved to Australia 17 years ago but remained close to his brother.
"Me and our Karl were thick as thieves, we were inseparable," said Darren. "I have been away 17 years but I would message our Karl every week and we would talk on the phone."
Kerry and Karl had been in a relationship for six years. "He was absolutely daft as a brush," she said.
"He couldn't walk past a piece of rubbish on the ground without picking it up. He worked right the way through Covid."
And Kerry believes Karl's addiction took over when he was forced to take some time off work due to a knee problem.
"He would have times when he was OK and times when it was horrendous. You could never understand why. Everybody tried to help. He had everything to live for. He had a beautiful flat, he's got beautiful children and lots of friends."
Darren knew his brother was struggling with alcohol, but it was not until around six months ago that Karl's health began to fail.
"He had struggled for a while, but it was a pretty quick end and he wasn't in pain. I've asked myself; 'Could I have done anything? But I know I couldn't."
Karl's funeral was held at Whitley Bay Crematorium on Friday. And as the funeral procession passed Cullercoats' famous Watch House the bells chimed for the first time in years.
"It was beautiful," said Darren, who walked with the funeral car through Cullercoats. "I kept my head down, I was distraught."
So many people attended Karl's funeral the following service was delayed as a result. And generous mourners donated more than £1,000 to Cullercoats RNLI in Karl's memory.
Darren added: "There was that many people there it was beautiful."
