Paul Graham, 42, from Barrow went missing on Tuesday and his body was discovered yesterday at Furness Abbey after a police search.
His grieving family are still trying to come to terms with the tragic loss.
They said: “Paul touched so many people’s lives in such a short time.
“The kind of person that you would remember long after meeting, even if only for an instant for his warmth and kindness.
“He was a proud dad, treasured son, beloved brother, devoted partner and trusted friend.
“He was the guy that always had a smile for you, even on the hardest of days for him.
“A joker, always acting the fool to raise others spirits and the kind of person that would go out of his way for a complete stranger.
“The small things pale into insignificance when such a large part of your life is gone forever, our family is broken with this tragedy but we’re proud of and love the person Paul was when he was alive.
“‘The trouble is, you think you have time’ – Buddha.”
Mr Graham’s death is not being treated as suspicious and the coroner has been informed.
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