While some may have seen the late Warren Masterson as a “tough biker”, underneath this exterior was a man who was a “big softie”, his grieving family have said.

Mr. Masterson (42) died suddenly at home on December 29, 2023.

His heartbroken family paid loving tribute to him, and remembered his gentle and free spirit.

His wife, Laura Masterson; mother, Doreen Masterson; and best friend, David Clark paid tribute to the popular painter and decorator.

Hailing her late husband as a “big softie”, and describing how his outward appearance didn’t match his inner spirit, Laura said: “You’d see him in his motorbike gear, his tattoos, his bald head, and his beard – but he was just a big softie.”

His mother, Doreen, said: “Somebody said to me yesterday about Warren that he was a free spirit; what you saw was what you got. He was never afraid to speak his mind.”

Mr. Masterson’s his loss has been felt across the community. His family have been comforted by tributes from those he did work for, along with Gabriel Cassidy.

Recounting fond memories from his client, Doreen said: “A woman told us at the wake that she loved him coming painting, but always the highlight of her day was when Warren had his tea break, and they would go out into the garden and talk.”

Recalling Mr. Masterson’s fun side, Laura added: “A family that he went to regularly told us that he used to hide their toys around the house when he was working for the children!”

Mr. and Mrs. Masterson had been together for almost 20 years after meeting in Charlie’s Bar, Enniskillen.

Describing the moment she met the man who would become her husband, Laura said: “I am five foot two, and this massive fella was standing beside me, and he was six foot two, and my friends knew him and told me to give him a chance.

“I did, and we would have been together 20 years in March.”

The pair married in 2020, and Mr. Masterson was a proud father to Eilish (9), and Killian (7).

Mr. Masterson enjoyed spending time with his children, whether that was taking them cycling, fishing or simply reading them a bedtime story.

Laura said: “He was always running around after the kids, making a mess with the kids, sending them hyper when I was trying to get them to bed or to school!

“He was just a big child. If you saw Warren, you probably saw the two kids.”

Outside of his family life, he enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, such as gardening, canoeing, or fishing.

Another interest was mumming. Whilst a member of Aughakillymaude Mummers, he met the then Prince Charles and then Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, in 2014.

Mr. Masterson also loved animals. David said: “His wee dog Spud was his pride and joy; he had Jack Russells.”

There was an exchange of smiles as Laura said: “We had Saoirse [a Jack Russell] and she was brought home on the back of the motorbike tucked into my jacket.”

Mr. Masterson was a keen biker, riding bikes for 20 years, including a Yamaha and Suzuki V-Storm, and he enjoyed his membership of the Fermanagh Motorcycle Club and Border Lords.

His friends within the motorbike fraternity gave him a final farewell at his funeral on January 2.

“They gave him the bikers’ farewell, the last burnout,” explained Doreen.

The family and friends of Mr. Masterson were overwhelmed by the number of bikers from various clubs, including Fermanagh Motorcycle Club, who came to pay tribute.

“Coming up the Ballycassidy straight, all you could see was bikers on the day of the funeral. They did traffic control at the roundabouts, and they did everything,” said Doreen.

The sight and smell of the bikes’ exhaust fumes disappearing into the sky served as a final farewell to Mr. Masterson.

Mr. Warren Masterson’s funeral took place at Ballycassidy House on January 2. The funeral service was conducted by Dean Kenneth Hall, and Mr. Masterson was buried at Cross Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. Keith Elliott, W. T. Morrison Funeral Directors.