THE family of an engineer, who died while working at Marks & Spencer, have spoken of the "huge gap" his death has left in their lives.
Philip Dodd, of Chaffinch Way, Horley, died after he was electrocuted while working as a contractor in the department store's Tunbridge Wells branch, on November 3.
Speaking for the first time since his death, the 62-year-old's children paid tribute to the dedicated family man who would do all he could to help others.
"He was a person that would help anyone that needed help," his daughter Tina Garner told the Mirror.
"He was the kindest person you could meet."
Throughout his life, Mr Dodd would go out of his way to help others, she said. As a young man he spent his pocket money on grapes for his sister when she was in hospital.
And as an adult he once drove to Nottingham to pick up his son and his friends when they became stranded after their car broke down at the end of a stag do.
But Mr Dodd's focus was always his family, including his five children, Tina, Darren Crittall, Graden Crittall, Ryan Dodd and Daniel Dodd, and seven beloved grandchildren.
Tina said: "His grandchildren were everything; his work colleagues knew all about the grandchildren."
His son Darren added: "If you ever needed a babysitter, he was around. He always put everyone else first."
Mr Dodd was born in Bedlington, Northumberland, where he developed his lifelong passion for Newcastle United Football Club. He lived there until the family moved south to Staffordshire, when his father was working in the mines.
After serving in the Royal Green Jackets for 13 years, he moved to Merstham in the 1980s, set up work as an engineer and married Christine, who he tragically lost to cancer in 2003, aged 54.
A very keen photographer, Mr Dodd would take pictures of anything, from family members to landscapes and animals, but he particularly doted on his grandchildren.
"He was the best dad you could have," Tina added.
"He wouldn't want to worry anyone; he always wanted the best for everyone else."
Darren added: "It is a huge gap to fill; it is just a huge loss."
Mr Dodd's death is still being investigated by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
He died at the scene in a staff-only area of the M&S store.
