HUNDREDS of people gathered to say goodbye to a cherished father of four who died aged 39 after a courageous cancer fight.

More than 300 people attended the funeral service for Ben Butterfield, of Barrow.

Mr Butterfield died on August 15 after a 17-month battle with oesophageal cancer. He passed away at home with his devoted wife Caroline by his side.

So many people wanted to pay their respects to the popular BAE commissioning engineer and racing driver that they stood outside and in the foyer of Thorncliffe Crematorium when all the seats had been filled.

Mr Butterfield's young daughters attended the service, and the Reverend Stuart Matthews told them: "Look at all these people here for your dad because he was a great guy."

Motorsport enthusiast Mr Butterfield had been a successful speed hillclimbing driver and he held records at various UK venues. His racing helmet was placed on his coffin.

There was also a floral "Dad" tribute from his children Jessica, 14, Amelia, 10, Olivia, seven and Isla, three.

The family wanted the service to be a celebration of Mr Butterfield's life. The music included Ashleigh Wood's version of Bring Me Sunshine. Mr Matthews said the song reflected Mr Butterfield's attitude to life, saying: "Ben brought so much sunshine to so many people."

Mr Matthews said Mr Butterfield was "a real family man" and really enjoyed planning family holidays and family days out. He read a poem, 'Dad Our Hero', and said: "Ben leaves behind a great legacy in his children."

Mr Butterfield and his wife had been married for 11 years. Mr Matthews read the words of Mrs Butterfield. She thanked everyone for attending the service and said the family felt honoured.

Mrs Butterfield said: "Ben's courage and strength has been so inspiring to so many, especially his children." She explained that he had wanted to stay for them.

Describing her caring and thoughtful husband, she said: "He was my very best friend, a soulmate in every sense of the word."

Mrs Butterfield said: "I'm proud to have been able to call myself Ben's wife" and "proud of our stunning girls".

She encouraged others to "tell your nearest and dearest how much you love them" and to "remember Ben as a stunning, inspirational and loving man".

The service concluded with Frank Sinatra's That's Life as the family laid flowers on Mr Butterfield's coffin.

Donations were going to Furness General Hospital Oncology Unit and Ward Nine, an oncology ward.

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