A RETIRED shipyard worker who was told in 2014 he only had one month to live has died.

The family of 87-year-old Norman Baber, of Yarlside Crescent, Barrow, have paid tribute to him after he died peacefully on Saturday.

Mr Baber fell ill nine years ago and spent eight months in Furness General Hospital. He was left in a wheelchair due to sepsis.

Five years ago his family were told he only had a month left and were allowed to take him home.

They continued to care for him for another five years with the help of a team of carers.

His widow Joan Baber said: “Despite his disability he never complained.”

Mr Baber, a passionate Barrow Raiders fan and a keen member and former president of Barrow Rotary Club, was described as someone who was ‘always smiling’,

He was born in 1932 near Southport and moved to Barrow because his father was a police officer stationed at the police house in Bardsea.

Mrs Baber said the couple had been family friends long before they married in 1987, she described him as a ‘big, noisy, rugby player’.

She said: “He was very involved in Barrow Raiders.

“I used to say he should take his bed down there.

“Even when he was ill he made it to matches.

“He was at the last match of the season just a few weeks ago.

“He always went to the rugby, it was the love of his life.

“He would never take his eyes off it when it was on the TV.”

Mr Baber’s step daughter Sue described how she would tell people that even after his illness, ‘he was the same bloke just on wheels.’

Mr Baber was also very involved in Barrow Rotary Club. He became the oldest president in the club's history at the age of 78 and served between 2009 and 2010.

He was also a Major in the Territorial Army and part of the 4th King’s Own regiment.

He was a supporter of St Mary’s Hospice in Ulverston and in the earliest days helped fundraise to help the hospice buy their building.

The family wanted to thank all the care teams who helped look after Mr Baber.

Mrs Baber said: “We couldn’t have kept him at home without their help.”

Mr Baber will be missed by his wife, his children and step-children as well as his friends at Barrow Raiders, Barrow Rotary Club and throughout the Furness community.

Bob Herbert, president of Barrow Rotary Club, also paid tribute to Mr Baber, saying: “He was a very popular member, he served as president of the club.

“He did his best to get to meetings even in ill health.

“It is a sad loss.”