A GRIEVING mother has paid tribute to her “thoughtful, helpful” son after he was discovered dead in a Suffolk river.Colin Parish was found in the River Deben on Saturdayclose to where he worked at Eversons boatyard.

A GRIEVING mother has paid tribute to her “thoughtful, helpful” son after he was discovered dead in a Suffolk river.

Colin Parish was found in the River Deben on Saturdayclose to where he worked at

Eversons boatyard.

Mr Parish, who lived on a twin-masted boat Nellie which was moored at the end of a private jetty on the river, celebrated his 50th birthday this month.

Yesterday his mother, Dorothy, who lives in Woodbridge, said she could not have wished for a better son, and was puzzled as to what happened.

The 84-year-old said: “Obviously Colin spent a lot of time on the river because of his job and he was always very careful.

“We had a boat ourselves and brought both our boys up on the water. They learnt to swim when they were very young.

“It's a bit of a puzzle as to what happened and I really don't know. He had all his clothes on apparently and had been out with friends but we will have to wait until the police come back to us.”

Paying tribute to her son Mrs Parish said he loved the outdoors and that he was most happy when out on the water.

“He was an extremely thoughtful, helpful and fine person and I couldn't have wished for a better son,” she said. “It's an unbelievable shock and I will miss him greatly. I still keep thinking he's going to walk in.

“After my husband died we arranged for his ashes to be scattered on the Deben and I'm hoping we will be able to do the same for Colin because it will be a very fitting tribute as the water was a huge part of his life.”

Mrs Parish said although her son spent most of his time on his house boat in Woodbridge he had a second home with his wife Teresa and 21-year-old son Jonathan in Ipswich.

She added that his brother, Peter, 49, who also lives in Ipswich, was currently on holiday but had been told of his death.

Meanwhile friends of Mr Parish are appealing to members of the public to adopt his eight year old brindle coloured mongrel Tiggy, as the dog has been left homeless following his tragic death.

Sarah Morgan said: “My husband and I have known Colin's parents for many years and his mother has given us permission to find Tiggy a new home.

“At first she was taken to the RSPCA by the police but we just couldn't bear the thought of her being there all alone so we decided to take her in.

“She is a very loving dog and extremely well behaved but unfortunately we're not able to keep her.

“She has been no trouble whatsoever, is fully house trained, never barks or jumps up at people and gets on well with other dogs.”

Anyone who would be interested in taking Tiggy should call Mrs Morgan on 01502 723421.

A police spokesperson confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Parish's death but said officers are still trying to piece together his final movements.

Anyone with information should call Pc Karle Howard at Woodbridge police on 01473 613500.