Tributes have been paid to a much-loved school worker and dad-of-eight who died after being struck by a car on the motorway. Ste Rowley, 51, from Warrington died in the tragedy on the M62 in Cheshire on Sunday night (March 18)
Mr Rowley, who leaves behind Maz and their eight children, was a maintenance officer with the Warrington Primary Academy Trust (WPAT) and was closely connected with Beamont Primary School where he was previously the caretaker.
Colleagues have described him as a 'larger than life personality who endeared himself to everyone he met' and said they were 'deeply shocked' at what had happened to the 'valued member' of their team reports Cheshire Live.
READ MORE: Kids aged seven and 10 find 'viable' guns and ammunition hidden on grassland
Paul Ferguson, WPAT’s estates manager, who worked closely with Mr Rowley, said: “There aren’t enough words that could describe what a great man Ste was.
"Nothing was too much trouble for him. He always had a smile on his face and he couldn’t do enough for people. He’ll be missed so much.”
The Trust said Mr Rowley was 'woven unto the fabric' of Beamont Primary School and had been a long-standing parent, with all of his children either current or former pupils. He became caretaker in 2015 before taking up the role of maintenance officer, working across WPAT's eight schools. The Trust said his personality was 'as vibrant as his unique look'.
"When he entered a room you knew about it and it was a rare occasion when you didn’t part company with Ste without feeling a little bit better about life" they added.
Louise Smith, WPAT’s CEO, said: “We’re heartbroken to hear of Ste's passing. He was a wonderful colleague and friend to us all – a genuinely helpful and dedicated colleague who went out of his way to help. We will miss him enormously.”
Chris Forrest, chair of trustees for WPAT, added: “I am shocked and saddened by Ste’s sudden death and offer my sincere condolences to his family at this very difficult time. Through his hard work Ste showed his dedication to the children in all our schools. He will be much missed.”
Bank Quay Bulls Amateur Rugby League Club also paid tribute to Mr Rowley and have launched a fundraiser to give him 'the send-off he deserves'. Donations can be made by clicking here.
A statement from the club said: "Ste is a parent of our U12s. He is a well-loved man who went above and beyond for our club. A gentleman with a heart of gold.
"We are sending all our love and strength to his wife and children at this extremely difficult time. We will be holding your hands every step of the way. A Go Fund Me page has been set up for the family. We as club will be raising funds over the next few weeks."
Cheshire Constabulary previously confirmed that a 51-year-old man from Warrington had been killed after a grey Mercedes X350 collided with a pedestrian on the M62 between junctions eight and nine at around 9.30pm on Sunday (March 19).
Officers are continuing to carry out enquiries into the incident they said.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Residents living in high-rise flats left furious by soaring rent, eviction notices and lifts out of order for months
- Drunk woman who lashed out in town centre claimed she just 'fell over'
- Last-known CCTV footage of missing woman who police believe has been murdered
- Vile paedophile who abused two children decades apart unmasked after becoming 'bored' and bragging online
- Inside Greater Manchester Police’s ‘biggest change’ in a generation
