THE wife of Keith Taylor who disappeared from his home four weeks ago has paid tribute to the ‘complete gentleman’ following his death.

Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the death of the 76-year-old after his body was discovered in the Mersey.

The granddad-of-two, who had one son, was reported missing by his concerned family on December 15.

His wife Anita, who had been married to Keith for 48 years, said: “Keith was a complete gentleman and so kind. 

“After he retired from Tetley’s he joined me at Beamont Academy where he was a caretaker for 10 years. 

“He was very popular with the students and staff and they kept in touch with him. 

“Keith then retired from Beamont Academy to join me in spending quality time with our two grandsons. He has also devoted 33 years of his life to volunteering. 

“Keith thoroughly enjoyed being a volunteer at St Rocco’s Hospice, we both worked there together and he found it so rewarding helping so many people. 

“Keith has always been there for me and supported me throughout our time together including when I received my MBE in November 2009 for services to St Rocco’s Hospice. I will miss him so much.” 

Anita has received a number of donations from members of the public in Keith’s memory.

She will be sharing the money between St Rocco’s Hospice and Cheshire Search and Rescue. 

She added: “I can’t thank Cheshire Search and Rescue enough for all the time and effort they put in to help find Keith, they have been outstanding and to Alford Hall Sports and Social Club for letting the police use their facilities during the search. 

“The support from the public has been so amazing and I want to thank everyone for getting behind the search for Keith – I sincerely appreciate it. 

“I must also thank the officers at Cheshire Police who have been so wonderful and treated me with such respect and understanding.”

Officers cordoned off part of the Mersey last Thursday, January 11, at 3.15pm after a body was discovered off Wharf Street near Jellybeans Play Centre.

Formal identification has now taken place and a file is being prepared for the coroner.

DI Helena Banusic, of Warrington CID, said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and specialist support remains in place while we establish the identity of the body.

“I am extremely grateful to the public and the media for all the help and support they have provided.

“The focus of the investigation will now be on the circumstances of Keith’s disappearance and officers will be conducting house-to-house and CCTV enquiries around Kingsway North due to a sighting of Keith around 10am in that area.

“I would ask anyone who has any information, in particular around Keith’s last known location, to contact us on 101.”