A well-known north Hull man has been described by his son as a "bit of a geezer" who was "kind and genuine" after his sudden death.

Jimmy Doe died at his home in Inglemire Lane last Saturday aged just 53 years. He was found by his son Peter James Doe who has been left shocked by his dad’s death.

Peter said: “While my dad had been ill for about six months with a thorax problem it was not life-threatening. But I went round to his flat last Saturday and found him. He had suffered a collapsed lung.

“It was a real shock and I do struggle to sleep after finding him but I take comfort from the fact he didn’t suffer and died peacefully.”

Jimmy Doe who died suddenly aged just 53 years
Jimmy Doe who died suddenly aged just 53 years

Mr Doe was well-known in the area and was a devout sports fan.

Peter said: “My dad was a really genuine guy and a real gentleman. He was really proud of his family and he thought the world of them and his friends.

'He made me who I am today'

“He was really well-known and people will tell you what a great man he is. He had a natural charm and was popular with women and he also liked a drink.

“He was a sports fanatic and loved Liverpool FC. He was also a big fan of Hull FC and he was a Black and white through and through.

“When I was younger he took me to play football and he made me who I am today and I am pretty decent at sport myself.”

Mr Doe earned a living carrying out physical work, including gardening and painting and decorating, but had to give up more recently due to his ill health.

Peter said: “He had a few jobs and he was a physical man. Even in the last few months he wanted to get back into work and was looking at doing some gardening but his body just wasn’t capable.”

Jimmy Doe who died suddenly aged just 53 years
Jimmy Doe who died suddenly aged just 53 years

Peter admits his dad was never one to really show his emotions but was always there for his family and friends.

He said: “Dad was just a nice and kind guy and was so generous. He didn’t have a lot but he would give you his last penny if he could.

'A geezer with a great heart'

“He was a man’s man really, a bit of a geezer. He was also a wind-up merchant which was part of his humour.

“Of course we loved each other but we showed it through being competitive and joking with one another.

“I will miss his random phone calls which were only supposed to last a few minutes but we would end up chatting for 40 minutes about sport and then whingeing about things.”

Mr Doe was proud to be black but unfortunately suffered from racism in Hull. When living in sheltered accommodation four years ago he was attacked and stabbed in a racially-motivated attack.

Just last year he spoke to Hull Live last year about racist abuse he suffered at the hands of a group of youths in Orchard Park.

Jimmy Doe who died suddenly aged just 53 years
Jimmy Doe who died suddenly aged just 53 years

He told Hull Live at the time: “I want to be able to walk out in the street without being abused. I’m still getting over this previous attack.”

'Strong and proud of his heritage'

But Peter says his dad would never be defined by such experiences.

He said: “Dad grew up during a time when racism was happening a lot but he always handled it well.

“But last year he was frustrated because it was a group of youths abusing him and he couldn’t really do anything about it.

“But it made him strong and he was always proud of his heritage. It did not affect him and he always remained confident.

“In fact, at the funeral we will have the famous quote ‘young, gifted and black’.”

Mr Doe died with no savings and no life insurance so a gofundme page has been set up to assist his family with the £3,000 funeral costs.

The funeral will take place on July 12 in the large chapel at Chanterlands Avenue Crematorium with the time yet to be confirmed. A large crowd are expected to attend to pay their final respects to the popular character.

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