The late Christopher Oldcroft will be remembered for his smile.

Those who will miss it most of all will be his heartbroken family, who amid their deep sadness paid tributes to Christopher, a 35-year-old chef who died peacefully in his sleep last Sunday morning, August 11.

Christopher was well-known across County Fermanagh as the talented Head Chef preparing delicious and hearty meals for customers in the popular Moorings Restaurant, Bellanaleck, alongside his father, Charlie, and mother, Mabel, who manages the restaurant.

Speaking about his late son Christopher on behalf of the family, Mr. Oldcroft said: “When I look at all the photographs, I see that wee smile of his.

"That is what everyone loved about him – it was his smile, and his happy demeanour.”

Throughout the many social media tributes paid to Christopher, his smile featured strongly in tributes, with many people also calling him “a gentleman”.

The family team opened the restaurant together in 2017, and brought it from strength to strength, earning awards together, and creating a hub in the heart of the community – something which brought all of them great pride.

READ MORE: Moorings Restaurant reflects village's harmony and warmth

Paying further tribute to his late son, Mr. Oldcroft said: “He would have done anything for anyone, and he would have went out of his way to do someone a good turn. He was so obliging.

“He was such a hard worker too, and he always wanted to do his best; he took the Moorings to where it is today.

“The Moorings was Christopher.”

Christopher was a devoted father to his nine-year-old son, Jaxon.

Mr. Oldcroft said: “He was a great dad; there is nothing he wouldn’t have done for Jaxon.

"He [Jaxon] has always been so precious to us, and he is being so brave.”

Christopher started in the kitchen at age 15 as a dishwasher, before preparing salads, and finally moving into cooking.

He began his cooking in Molly’s, Ballymoney, and pursued a career in hospitality after he left Coleraine Academical Institution.

He was a chef in a number of popular restaurants across the North Coast area before taking on the Head Chef role in the Moorings.

When his father decided to pursue a career in hospitality, the two were classmates as they studied together for BTec before running the Moorings restaurant in his father's native Fermanagh together.

Christopher was often in the kitchen, diligent with his work, preparing dishes for the customers, and humbly not seeking any limelight.

Mr. Oldcroft explained: “A lot of the [social media] posts called him a gentleman or a gent. He was a quiet lad and he didn’t want any attention.

“Even when we took photographs, he always slipped in at the end of the line. When we told him we were proud of him, he accepted it modestly.”

Mourning his son, Mr. Oldcroft added simply: “If you love someone, tell them today – tomorrow isn’t promised.”

The Oldcroft Family have been greatly comforted by the many messages, phone calls and social media posts following Christopher’s passing, and have expressed their gratitude for all of those who have shared messages of support with them in recent days.

A Service of Celebration for Christopher’s life will take place in Wade's Funeral Home, Coleraine, on Saturday, August 17 at 1pm.

A Service of Committal will take place in Antrim and Newtownabbey Crematorium, next Monday, August 19 at 3pm.

Christopher Oldcroft is survived by his son, Jaxon; his parents, Charlie and Mabel; his sister, Nicola (Bobby); brother, Adam (Leah); his grandparents, Charlie and Ethel Oldcroft; and a wide circle of family and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be carried out by Hugh Wade & Son, Coleraine.