TRIBUTES have been paid to husband and father, Andrew Parker, founder of Ramsey Glass, who died suddenly on Friday (April 3). Andrew, 48, who grew up in Huntingdon, played football for many of the teams in the district, including Huntingdon, Alconbury a

TRIBUTES have been paid to husband and father, Andrew Parker, founder of Ramsey Glass, who died suddenly on Friday (April 3).

Andrew, 48, who grew up in Huntingdon, played football for many of the teams in the district, including Huntingdon, Alconbury and Houghton.

He was playing in a five-a-side football tournament at Hinchingbrooke School on Friday evening with his three brothers, cousins, his son, Rory, and some friends when he collapsed and died.

The match was part of a family tournament organised every three months or so. It was being refereed by his father, Percy, a well known referee in the district.

Andrew loved football and fishing and taught martial arts. He had no history of any life-threatening condition and there no indication that he was not in fine health.

This year would have been the 21st that he had run Ramsey Glass, the business that his wife, journalist and theatre director, Collette Nicholls, said was his passion.

The couple had been married for 18 years and have two teenage children, Rory, 17, and Tiffany 14.

Collette told The Hunts Post: "We are completely devastated. Andrew was such a strong man, there was nothing to make us think that he wasn't.

"He lived life to the full in every sense, in the business world, in his leisure and in his voluntary work. He was so busy and so active. He was the last person you would expect this to happen to. We are all shell-shocked."

She added: "He was so keen on being fit. He watched what he ate and drank, he took vitamins. He was always saying that I should look after myself."

Andrew, who lived in Hemingford Grey, was voluntary keeper of the lake in the village.

During the 1980s he was in the Royal Navy and went on to set up Ramsey Glass, becoming an early pioneer in the manufacture of UPVC doors and windows.

Collette said: "Running the business was his passion. His mum and dad, Margaret and Percy, worked with him and most of his staff had been there for many years.

"He was our rock. He was an extremely reliable, hard-working, trustworthy and generous person. I have done a lot of things in my career and he was supportive in all of them. He would want the children to go on and live happy and fulfilled lives. That's what he did and that is what he would want for them."

In 2001, Andrew began teaching XMA, a Chinese martial art, to young people in Godmanchester. He also helped out with a Sunday class for seniors in St Ives. Last year he went to Florida to represent England as a veteran in championships held by the World Kick Boxing Association.

His wife added: "He enjoyed it but he didn't win - because he was a real veteran."

Andrew leaves three younger brothers: Jamie, John and Keith.

Jamie told The Hunts Post: "Andrew would do anything for you. He was the head of the family. You knew that if you had a problem, Andrew would help you out. He was a kind, loving, caring brother."

Andrew's funeral is still being arranged. It will be at St Mary's Church in Huntingdon.

INFORMATION: Contact William Peacock and Sons on 01480 453882.