Mr wishart was born at Calthorpe Street, Middlesbrough, in January 1951.

He was the youngest child of Joseph and Margaret Wishart.

His brother Geoffrey says Ronald was a special addition to the family, and being the youngest of five he was loved very much.

"He was special because he had learning difficulties which we didn't really understand until years later.

"Ronald and I were very close and as children he would follow me around like a little lamb wherever I would go.

"During his childhood, Ronald was a quiet and shy little boy and hardly spoke to anyone, so much so that some people thought he couldn't talk at all.

"He attended Burlam Road School, a school for special needs children, but he didn't really like school at all, finding the lessons difficult.

"He was a homely lad and much preferred to stay at home with mum and dad, something he did until they both passed away.

"He was slow at learning - he couldn't read or write - and my father and I often spent hours teaching him and showing him methods of how to write neatly, methods which he kept to his dying day.

"As young boys, Ronald and I often went swimming at the Gilkes Street Baths, and I was amazed at how well he could swim.

"He was so good that he went with a team of disabled swimmers to the European Disabled Olympics and won several gold medals, something that we were all proud of.

"Further to this he gave his support helping his cousin with her handicapped swimming club.

"Not only did he like swimming, but he liked his games of football at Upsall Hall.

"At the departure of our dear parents, Ronald was to find himself, with some support, in a place of his own.

"We helped him through the difficult times until he was able to manage on his own, but we were always around should he need us.

"It was at this time, I'm proud to say, that Ronald began to excel himself.

"He became very independent and although he wasn't very clever academically, his other talents began to shine through.

"From a shy little boy, Ronald developed into an extrovert young man.

"He loved being with people and helping them whichever way he could, nothing seemed too difficult for him anymore.

"Later in life Ronald changed tracks, and developed an interest in reading and research.

"He knew I was researching our family history, and he was determined to help me.

"Spending much of his time in libraries locally and regionally, his knowledge on many subjects began to widen.

"He loved books on aeroplanes used in the war, and the pilots who flew them.

"He wrote to many celebrities for autographs, but most of all he loved his car boot sales.

"Wherever there was a car boot sale, he would be there, and if he'd bought one watch, he must have bought 30 watches, and the same with radios, cameras and televisions. I eventually called him a magpie.

"While researching my family history, I frequently utilised the Teesside Archives, and eventually Ronald, like a little lamb, followed me there.

"After showing him how to go about researching there was no stopping him.

"He surprised me, because he began to find some things that I couldn't find.

"He loved his time at the archives and I was informed he loved his little chats there with the staff and helping other people research if they were struggling a little.

"That was just like Ronald.

"I'm really going to miss you Ronald, my little brother, my loyal friend. Love Geoffrey."

Mr Wishart died on May 30, aged 55.