The following tribute was read at Tommy's funeral:

Tom was born on 12th November 1981 to parents Angela and Alf and shared a happy childhood with his younger sister Emily.

He attended Francis Bacon School, in St.Albans and was a bright pupil. As a youngster he was always the comedian in the classroom and if the class were up to no good then it would usually be Tom who got caught.

On leaving school at sixteen years of age, Tom joined his dad working on the buildings as a labourer. He had also worked for a company called H & H on the EastEnders set and whilst there he auditioned for the part of Jamie. He did really well but because he didn't have a cockney accent he didn't get the part. Six months ago he had a change of direction and begun an apprenticeship as a plumber working for Dave Tidd. Tom really enjoyed his work and there is no doubt that he would have followed in his grandfather John's footsteps and become an excellent plumber.

As a brother, Tom was the best. He was always very protective of Emily. They had always been very close, but as they got older even more so. I understand that Emily was the boss most of the time, but I suspect that was only because Tom gave into her. Emily has just got to the age when she would sometimes go out with Tom and his girlfriend Emily for a night out.

As a son, Tom could not be faulted. As a toddler he had been very cheeky and I believe this never changed as he grew into adulthood. He was a very kind and loving son especially to his Mum; there was nothing he would not do for her. I sense that they were friends as well as mother and son. At least once a month he would treat Angela, and he never forgot a birthday. Tom spent time with his Dad, taking the dog over the fields and he had played golf a few times with Alf and was really good at it. As a young family the Fox's enjoyed holidays staying in friends John and Carol's hotel in Torquay and as Tom got older, they went further a field to Turkey. I feel it’s true to say that Tom liked to go abroad. Mainly, so that he could pose on the beach. Angela recalled a fond memory of Tom in the mud bath in Turkey. He loved it and covered himself in mud so that all you could see were the whites of his eyes, he then hid behind a tree so that he could jump out and scare her.

Tom had a very loving relationship with his grandparents. When he was about five years old he went shopping with Angela's parents. His Nan remembered that she had left a cake in the oven and before they went on to somewhere else they popped indoors to turn the oven off, leaving Tom waiting outside in their van. Tom decided to let the handbrake off the van rolled across a T- junction before coming to rest on a lamppost. Fortunately Tom escaped unhurt, but all he said to his terrified grandparents was "I couldn't stop it". As a youngster Tom was always up to mischief when he stayed with his grandparents. He had often watched his grandfather cut his shrubs and Tom decided one day that he could do the job just as well.

He was found on top of the garage cutting back the shrubs, needless to say them was not much left of them by the time he was found. He turned from a mischievous kid into a very kind, loving and affectionate young man.

He was never too old for a hug with his grandmothers and his grandmother Fox told me that he loved to wind them up by calling them Grandma when he was trying to be posh and he always ended a their telephone conversations with “love you lots".

Romance came into Tom's life, almost three years ago when he met Emily. They were soul mates and devoted to one and other. Tom took Emily on her first plane trip, unfortunately due to them checking in late they could not sit together, which was not a good start. They shared a lot of the same interests and were equally happy out clubbing or sharing a quiet night in with a bottle of red wine and a DVD. With each other they could be themselves, they never had to pretend to be something else and they often surprised each other with little gifts. Although their relationship has been brief the time they spent together was very precious to them both and I feel sure that Emily and Tom's family will have some very happy memories of the times spent with Tom that will remain locked within their hearts forever.

Tom was a very sociable person who was liked by all that met him. I visited the web site that has been setup in his memory and was amazed at the tributes that have been sent. He fitted in wherever he went and touched the hearts of many. He could relate to people of all ages, young and old and loved to play with children, deriving great pleasure from a romp on the floor with his nieces and nephews, who all loved him.

He was blessed with a brilliant sense of humour. He enjoyed a joke and he liked nothing better than to make those around him laugh. His broad smile will be remembered by many. Together with his best friend David Nichols. whom he had known since he was three years of age he would mimic people. The duo enjoyed taking the mickey out of people, but only in fun. Tom had been on holiday with David and his parents and I understand that they had great fun eyeing up all the woman. Tom loved to dress up and it was not unusual to see him donned in a wig and glasses.

Tom had many friends, too numerous to mention them ail, but he was particular close to Ronny, Olly and Richard. The London, Bromley and Shenley crews, will all know how deeply Tom valued their friendships.

As for hobbies, Tom loved his mixing, he was well into music. He would have loved to have been a D.J. He also liked to ski and had been on several business trips with his Dad, where they would ski during their leisure time. Tom was a natural on skis and this year he went on blades. But his passion without a doubt was shopping for clothes. London was a must and he would keep poor Emily waiting outside the cubicles for hours while he decided what he wanted, but when it was time for her to try something on, it was a question of "lets get home". Tom took great pride in his personal appearance. In his usual playful way he would ask. "Do you think I could be a model?".

Tom had a very caring side to his nature and would be the first to offer help if needed. When out he would have to buy a copy of the Big Issue, giving the seller a fag and time for a chat. He also liked animals and was extremely fond of the family dog Georgie. He would take Georgie out whenever he went to the shops.

Strange for a young man, but Tom was meticulous in everything. He was very neat and tidy, hoovering and dusting his room every day. His stack system is something else, everything matching and the biggest cd's at the bottom and the smallest at the top. He would sometimes put Angela to shame if he came in before her, he would ask "Do you want to use the hoover before me mum?" especially as perhaps Angela had not intended on using the hoover that day.

Like all of us here today, Tom was not without his faults. I believe the smell of his feet left a lot to be desired. He could be impatient at times and never liked waiting for anyone.

Tom's family are so proud of him and with just cause, he was without doubt a kind, loving, generous young man and he will be very much missed by all that knew and loved him.

A life cut short is a tragedy, and not one of us, unless we have experienced it, can understand the pain felt by Angela and Alf on losing their son and our hearts go out to them at this very sad time in their lives. But I would ask you all to remember the happy times in Tom's life. His love of life, his devotion to Emily and his family and the many friendships that he made.

Please remember that you have all been touched by Tom's presence and your lives have been significantly influenced by him. Remember these influences in the years ahead and Tom will continue to contribute to the experiences and fabric of life through your deeds and actions.

Following these remembrances, I would ask you all to join me in a few moments to reflect on your own personal memories of Tom, his personality, his friendship. The individual memories each of you have of him. Those of you who hold religious faith might like to take this time for your own private prayer. Would you please kneel or remain seated, as you feel most comfortable.

All living things are subjected to death; it is the basis of growth through evolution. In the course of millions of deaths humanity has evolved. We carry this inheritance, but we as human individuals have a more personal contribution to make in the value of our lives. And those who accept the unity and completeness of the natural order, believe that to die brings the end of the conscious personality and we view death with honesty, with dignity and with calm.

The death of each of us is in the natural order of things, it follows life as surely as night follows day. We can take the tree of life as a symbol. The human race is the trunk and branches of the tree and individual men and women are the leaves, which appear for a season, flourish for a summer and then die.