Tributes to 'larger than life' Lincoln trader Kevin Hobden

The partner of a businessman who died suddenly while visiting a friend in Wales has said the "well-loved" trader will be sadly missed.

Kevin Hobden, 51, had battled against poor health and died on Sunday, February 17.

He had spent a career in retailing in Lincoln working at his family's store, the West Parade Foodmarket, in Moor Street.

Kevin spent more than three decades there before retiring from the business opened by his father Arthur in 1976.

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During that time the former South Park school pupil became a father-of-four with former partner Mary Howden. And she said the family has been "overwhelmed" by the outpouring of goodwill since his death.

"Kevin was such a well-loved man that there have been so many tributes to him," said Mary. We're just overwhelmed at all the personal messages and the nice things said about him on social media sites.

"He hadn't been in the best of health for quite a few years with heart problems. And he even had bypass surgery, but it didn't seem to slow him down at all.

"Kevin was larger than life, a big man who looked like a biker who never owned a motorbike in his life.

"He was so busy working all the time that everyone in the West End knew him.

"Last April he did give up the shop – part of which has been developed into flats and part is still a store. And it was typical of him to drive all the way to Wales to see someone. But it proved too much."

Kevin and Mary have two daughters – Ashley, 19, and Georgina, 15 – and sons Connor, 16, and Owen, 8.

Kevin's funeral takes place on Friday, March 8, at 11.30am at St Faith's Church in Charles Street West, Lincoln, followed by cremation.