FAMILY and friends of a 38-year-old man who died following a horrific workplace accident will finally be able to say farewell to him when his postponed funeral takes place nearly two months after his death.

Martin ‘Mugsy’ Simmons was injured while working at the New Dunn Business Park in Sling on Wednesday, February 20, and died two weeks later after being airlifted to Bristol’s Southmead Hospital.

His funeral was due to take place on March 29, but was postponed pending further police inquiries, and will now take place at 12.30pm on Tuesday, April 30, at Lydbrook’s Church of the Holy Jesus, after the Gloucestershire Coroner released his body.

An inquest into his death was opened on Tuesday, April 9, and adjourned to September 17.

The father of eight-year-old Callum and stepfather of Tommy had survived cancer and was described as a born ‘fighter’ by family and friends.

Heartbroken partner Tina Penn bravely posted about Martin’s fight for life and organised a wedding blessing for the couple, who had been planning to marry, at his bedside before his passing.She also changed her name by deed poll to Simmons to reflect their love for each other.One online tribute to ‘Mugsy’, who enjoyed ‘hitting the decks’ to DJ hardcore music and had previously worked as a carer and at Get Stored storage in Whitecroft, said simply: “He’s my hero,” while another added: “An amazing guy who will always be in the memories of so many people.”One woman also posted about his brave battle with illness, saying: “I have so many good memories of Martin and I am so happy I could be there for him in a small way when he was going through cancer.“He is a fighter and has won so many battles – this war had just proved a bit much for him. I’m privileged to have known you Mr Simmons.”Further tributes described the former Lakers pupil, who previously lived in Lydbrook, as “a lovely, genuine guy”, “a lovely fella”, a “wonderful man”, a “legend” and a “Special Fighter”.The family have asked people attending his funeral to wear white. Friends can post tributes and photos on a dedicated Facebook page ‘In Memory of Martin Simmons’.