IPSWICH: Bike enthusiast Roy Creasey had one last wish – to be taken to his final resting place in a motorcycle and sidecar.

Today, his partner, Theresa Hartnell, told of her pride at being able to honour his dying plea and paid a moving tribute to her “true love and soul mate”.

After suffering from a rare condition disease for most of his life, Mr Creasey, 68, died from heart failure on September 15 after spending three weeks in Papworth Hospital in Cambridge.

It was during his stay at Papworth that he told Ms Hartnell of the arrangements for his funeral.

The 45-year-old said losing Mr Hartnell, a big fan of the Ipswich Witches speedway team, had left her feeling “broken” but she was proud to have fulfilled his dying wish.

His coffin was driven to Ipswich Crematorium by Motorcycle Funerals Limited, owned by Leicester-based vicar The Rev Paul Sinclair, who has been dubbed the ‘Faster Pastor’.

“The funeral was a lovely service and honoured him in every way it should have done,” said Ms Hartnell, of Lindbergh Road.

“He told me before he died that when he went down the road on his final day he wanted heads to turn – and they certainly did.

“I was happy to know that by travelling to the funeral in his sidecar he would have been filled with joy.”

The couple met 27 years ago, when Ms Hartnell was married.

But when the marriage broke down she turned to Mr Creasey, and eight years ago they fell in love.

“He was my rock – my friend, true love, and soul mate and I will never ever find another him,” said the mother-of-two.

“He was the strongest person I have ever met. He lived life to the full and would enjoy every minute of it – grasping it with both hands.

“He was so loving, generous, with an amazing sense of humour. My life will fail to be the same ever again.”

Mr Creasey’s ashes were scattered in the sea at Cromer – one of his favourite locations.

Ms Hartnell said mourners who attended the funeral service wore smiley badges in honour of his constant grin.

Money raised through donations at the funeral, which was held on October 6, will be presented to Papworth Hosptial Charity RSSC.

n Would you like to pay tribute to Mr Creasey? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail evening starletters@eveningstar.co.uk