ABOUT thirty family members attended the funeral of a vulnerable man who died after a break-in to his flat – some coming as far as Ireland.

Albert Williams, 67, lived alone in Cedar Close, Southend, until he was found dead on Saturday, August 8, when fire crews were called to deal with a fire at his flat.

His death was initially treated as non-suspicious, but a forensic post-mortem examination established he had been assaulted and died from internal injuries, with police then opening a murder investigation.

Officers also appealed for members of Mr Williams’ family to be traced, about 25 of whom attended the funeral at Sutton Road Crematorium on Friday, most coming from London but one of his brothers bringing his family from the Republic of Ireland.

Neighbour Brian Wallis, 71, gave a stirring eulogy to his friend and fellow “Last of the Summer Wine Gardener” – the name they and fellow neighbours Fred Dunce, 89, and Terry Hanvelaar, 75, adopted while tending to their flower garden.

He said: “We found Albert to be a very sensitive man, some might say even reclusive, but we knew him better than that.

“Albert would avoid confrontation and controversy and hated disagreement. We found him to be kind, sympathetic, and a good friend and neighbour.

“Television was Albert’s all consuming passion, as well as his Sixties and Seventies CD collection.

“Remarkably, he could relate every episode of Last of the Summer Wine, Terry and June, On the Buses, and almost every Carry On film.

“Sid James, Barbara Windsor, and Bill Owen were his heroes.”

Addressing the mourners, Rev Phil Wright said Mr Williams was born as one of five brothers and one sister in East Ham, and had special needs from an early age, being institutionalised until the introduction of care in the community meant he could live in sheltered housing.

He went on to marry and had two children, but the marriage did not last, and they separated. He had lived in Cedar Close about seven years, having initially lived in York Road.

Rev Wright added Mr Williams was a keen cyclist until he was one day knocked off his bike and never regained the confidence to take it up again, but was also passionate about gardening and television, with his favourite programme being Last of the Summer Wine.

The theme tune to the programme was played as his coffin was taken away, followed by Ralph McTell’s Streets of London.