“OUR dad, our friend, our hero.”

That is how a father-of-five killed in a motorbike crash will be remembered by his family, who last night said their hearts had been broken by his death.

Kevin Field, 60, of Longford Way, Didcot, was pronounced dead on the B4016 near Didcot on Monday after his blue Suzuki motorbike was involved in a collision with an orange Honda CRV on the back road between Abingdon and Didcot at 11.30am.

Last night, his family paid tribute to the popular lorry driver, saying he was the “life and soul of any party”.

In a joint tribute, they said: “Many people will say that he was like the brother they never had.

“Kevin loved his motorbikes, fishing, football, and spending time with his family, but his favourite pastime was to make people laugh, telling jokes, and coming out with witty or sarcastic comments that would just roll off the tongue.

“He was the life and soul of any party and would always be the best-dressed person there.”

They added: “Our hearts have physically broken – we are lost without him. There are not any words that can describe the pain that we are feeling.

“We love you so much and will miss you until we meet again: our dad, our friend, our hero.”

Colleagues at Tesco Distribution Centre, in Southmead Industrial Park, Didcot, where Mr Field worked as a lorry driver, have opened a book of condolences for staff to pay tribute to their friend.

Team manager Micky License said: “He had been here a number of years, and was very well respected and very well thought of.

“He was very affable, with a great sense of humour. Lots of guys from here will want to go to his funeral.

“He will be greatly missed, and all our thoughts are with his family.”

Mr Field grew up at Saxons Heath, Long Wittenham, the son of George and Ellen Field and brother of Bernard, Roy, Brian, Keith, George, Audrey and Phillis.

He attended a carpentry apprenticeship at Kingerlee, Oxford, aged 13, before going on to work at the Canon factory in Didcot.

He then started his career as an HGV driver, driving for the Toleman Group, Autocars, Exel and Tesco.

Mr Field leaves behind sons Steven, 37, and Andrew, 35, from his marriage to first wife, Jill, as well as three grandchildren Jaime, Tiena and Riley.

He also had three daughters by his second wife Janice, his eldest Michelle, 23, and her partner Ben, plus Emma, 21, and Hayley, 16.

Police are still seeking witnesses to the crash. Anyone with information should contact Sgt Pete Jell on 08458 505505.

didcot@oxfordmail.co.uk