A GRIEVING mother whose son died suddenly in his sleep last week has paid tribute to him, saying he was “a knight in shining armour.”Andrew Paternoster was looking forward to the birth of his first child next year, and a wedding to his fiancée Zoe Wynn.

A GRIEVING mother whose son died suddenly in his sleep last week has paid tribute to him, saying he was “a knight in shining armour.”

Andrew Paternoster was looking forward to the birth of his first child next year, and a wedding to his fiancée Zoe Wynn.

But the family of the builder, who worked for LB Construction in Bealings, have been left grieving and stunned after his sudden, unexplained death at the age of 29.

Mr Paternoster had no history of illness and showed no signs of being unwell when went he went to bed on Sunday night at his home in Danforth Close, Framlingham.

However when Ms Wynn woke on Monday, she realised her fiancé was not breathing. After trying to revive him herself, she called 999, but Mr Paternoster had already died.

Yesterday his mother, Gill, paid a tearful tribute to her son.

Mrs Paternoster, of Church Lane, Eyke, near Woodbridge, said: “Andrew was the sort of man who made your heart lift when you saw him. He stood out in a crowd like a beacon.

“The security you felt when he hugged you and the warm feeling that consumed you from that wonderful smile would leave you with a glow and, for me, that proud feeling that he was my son.

“Andrew was a man who displayed his affection openly in hugs, kisses and handshakes. There was never anything false about him. Andrew had a very humourous side and the most infectious laugh you have ever heard.

“We would often send each other text messages like 'just love you mum' and ' love you son'.

“All Andrew wanted from life was love and a family of his own. Last year he met and fell truly in love with not only, Zoe, but her two sons, Calum and Kaden, and they loved and appreciated the truly wonderful man he was.

“Andrew was so proud. He told me he and Zoe were getting married and, a few months later, that they were expecting a baby next year. The joy I felt for my son was immeasurable. He was so deserving of the happiness he found.

“I can see him in my mind's eye as a little boy as Superman and Batman running around the garden, always the defender, always the good guy.

“Well Andrew was Superman, a good guy and a knight in shining armour. The best little big brother, the brightest star in the sky, my heart, my life, my son.

“My husband Eric, I, his brothers and family are more proud and more in awe of him than he could have possibly imagined.”

In addition to his mother and father, Mr Paternoster leaves three brothers, Gary, David and Graham.

All are now awaiting the results of the post mortem on his body and preparing themselves for his funeral at St Mary's Church, Woodbridge at 12.30pm next Friday .

Mrs Paternoster said family meant everything to the former Farlingaye School pupil.

She said: “He was his own man. He had strong principles, rules and opinions for all of his life. The treasures Andrew wanted most were treasures of the heart. What he felt, he felt deeply.

“He had a great love of life and was wiser than his years. Everything Andrew did, he did well, just like his dad.

“He would call in sometimes after work and talk with his dad about a job he was doing. He would come to show his dad photos of jobs he had completed. I think he wanted to show him he could do a job as well as his dad could. He wanted his dad's approval and him to be proud, and he was.

“It mattered to Andrew how people felt, and how people felt about him. Anyone who knew him could not feel anything but the greatest respect.”