The funeral of a Hampden Park man who died after being attacked outside a local shop will be taking place next Friday (January 11).
Chris Poole, who was described as a ‘great father figure’, died on August 16 last year, the day after the incident.
The 46-year-old, of Iden Street, had popped to the Premier shop with his two dogs.
After his death his grieving partner Penny paid tribute to him saying, “I’m devastated by the loss of a best friend and my soulmate, also the great father figure to all our children.
“You’ll always be in my heart and I love you forever.”
Penny, who has two children from a previous relationship, said Mr Poole considered the children his own and said the family as a whole was very close knit.
His funeral is due to take place next Friday at Eastbourne Crematorium at 1pm.
Family and friends are welcome to attend and join relatives at the family home afterwards.
There is a request for family flowers only but Chris’s mum Diane said people can donate to Victim Support or East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service.
She added, “He was a very loving person who would have helped anybody.
“We miss him so much.”
She said the family had been brilliantly supported by police liaison officers Andy and Julian and victim support officer Ali.
Mr Poole, who was an assistant manager at Poundland, was a lover of wild birds and animals.
The former Ratton School pupil also leaves behind father Tom and brother Rick.