A FAMILY have paid tribute to a much-loved West Cumbrian doorman who they say was ' the life and soul of every party'.

Craig Smith, 52, died on Monday, February 27 after suffering with illness for the past 18 months.

Born in Workington Infirmary, Craig lived at Harrington as a child, before moving to the Brewery House and the Stag at Crosby, when his late mother and father Joan and Bob Smith took on the pubs.

As he grew into adulthood, Craig pursued his lifelong passion of joining the army when he entered the Junior Leader Royal Artillery, however had to leave at 19 being medically discharged following an accident.

On his leaving the family said Craig ‘lost his way’ for some years but was able to join the Westfield Rugby team and then Flimby Rugby team which became hobbies in his younger days.

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Craig then went on to work as a doorman across many pubs in West Cumbria, where his family say he met many of his ‘lifelong friends’.

After a period of time on the doors he went to work in construction, where he enjoyed much camaraderie with his colleagues.

17 years ago, Craig met his wife Kaye on a night out in the Royal Oak, Workington, Kaye said it was ‘love at first sight’ and in June 2016 the pair got married.

In Kaye, Craig’s sister said he had ‘found what he had been looking for’ throughout his life.

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The ‘hard worker’ had spent many years working away in the construction business and enjoyed fishing in his spare time, as well as being around his many family and friends.

Talking about her husband, Kaye said: “He was just a nice loveable guy, he would do anything for anybody, we were soulmates.”

Craig’s family said that ‘family was his life’ he was a doting father to his four children Connor, 24, Finley,19, Scarlett, 12 and Bobbie, 11, he was a proud father and adored them all.

Craig was also a much-loved brother to siblings David, Peter and Alison, as well as his many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

The father of four first became ill in 2021, having a triple heart bypass in July of that year after suffering multiple heart attacks, followed by a diagnosis of stage four lung cancer in October 2022.

However, Craig fought hard through cancer treatment and in January, received positive CT results indicating a reduction in his cancer.

After his fourth round of treatment Craig again became unwell and suffered lung complications which led to his death in West Cumberland Hospital on Monday, February 27 A Just giving page has been set up in Craig’s memory and has already raised over £1,500 for the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK.

His funeral will be held at Distington Crematorium on Monday, March 13 followed by The Gin House in Clifton, with the family asking for any donations to be made to The British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK.

The family have thanked Craig’s many family and friends for the overwhelming kindness shown to them since losing Craig.

This tribute was done with the permission of Craig Smith's family.