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Family's tribute to father

Frederick Matterface
Frederick Matterface

by Emma Grove

The family of a keen motorcyclist who died in a crash while visiting the Isle of Man’s TT Races, have spoken of their grief.
Frederick Matterface’s daughter Julie said she and her family were devastated at the loss of a “friendly, helpful and loving” father and grandfather.
Mrs Williams, 43, said the news of her father’s death was still raw and had left her “totally shocked”.
She said: “It is not like he had a long-term illness and we had time to get used to it, this was a motorbike accident and it is all so sudden.
Shocked
“He was very popular with everybody and always had something nice to say about people.
“He was generous, active and was a member of Queenborough Bowls Club. Everybody in the family is totally shocked and we are all just devastated.”
Gary, 45, said: “My dad was a very active, outdoor person and died doing something he loved. He will be greatly missed by everyone.”
Mr Matterface’s eight-year-old granddaughter wrote a message in memory of her grandfather.
It says: “Grandad Fred was a good man, he helped everyone and he was great.
“We will miss his help and kindness but he will go to Heaven and we will remember him greatly.”
His neighbour and friend Malcolm Carter, 63, said it had come as a terrible shock as he had only been having a cup of tea with Mr Matterface the day before the accident.
Mr Carter said: “Fred was a fantastic bloke and would do anything for anybody.
“We were great mates and he will be sadly missed by a lot of people.”
The father-of-two, and grandad of four, was a keen motorcyclist who had lived at the holiday park since it opened 20 years ago.
He also leaves sisters Joan and Joyce, grandchildren Perry, Stephanie, and Helena, and step grandchildren Rachel and James.
A spokesman for the Isle of Man Police confirmed officers were called to a collision between a red Honda motorbike ridden by Mr Matterface and a Ford Iveco Scarab road sweeper owned by the Department of Transport last Wednesday at 3.54pm. The collision is under investigation.

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