​TRIBUTES have been paid to a devoted family man and motorbike enthusiast who died following an accident on the A1077.

John Michael Harrison, 62, doted on his one-year-old grandson, was close to his family and always gave what money he had to those around him.

He had just begun his retirement when he died following a collision with an HGV on the road near Roxby.

Daughter Shelley Pollard, 39, said: “After he finished work in September last year he looked after my one-year-old son Theo. Mum did the nappy changing and he did everything else.

“He spent so much time with him. He had so much patience.

“It’s sad that he’s not going to know him, but he made a big impression.”

Mr Harrison’s granddaughter Megan, 15, said she would cherish her time with him forever and he would be missed by his three other grandchildren, Chloe, Alex and Brad.

Mr Harrison particularly enjoyed taking in the scenery at Normanby Park with those he held close.

His wife Pat Harrison, 61, said: “He was gentle, caring, modest.

“If he had any money in his pocket he would give it away. He literally gave everything and never wanted anything.

“He was so un-materialistic. He wasn’t bothered with anything except his family and his bike. If you had said to John about his funeral, he would say, ‘There wouldn’t be anybody at my funeral’.

“But everybody in the village knew him. I’ve been inundated by people’s kindness.

“People must have thought so much of him and he was totally unaware of it.

“He wouldn’t have wanted a public tribute but he would have wanted to thank people. He was very public spirited.

“He would have been one of the people trying to help if he was at the crash scene.”

Mr Harrison’s family said they had received hundreds of cards following his death.

Prior to his retirement, Mr Harrison was a draftsman by profession and highly respected for his work.

His son James Harrison said: “You could look at a drawing and just know it was one of his. Sometimes I would ask him to help me with my university work.

“I would beg him not to do it to the best of his ability but he would and it would be amazing.

“He could do really technical, structural steel drawings.”

Mr Harrison’s son Steve Harrison, 41, fondly remembered his father for his eccentricities.

He said: “He was so modest. He had a huge love of bikes from the age of 17.

“He hated to be dressed up. He wore layers of clothes and looked like he was brimming with muscles.”

The Harrison family wish to thank Sue Scott, the police liaison officer who broke the news to them.

And they were full of praise for James Richardson, Carla Swain and others who helped at the scene, along with paramedics and staff at Hull Royal Infirmary.

Mr Harrison’s family are fundraising for Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance, which got Mr Harrison to Hull in just four minutes.

And they wanted want to thank friends in Burton-upon-Stather who have helped support them.

Humberside Police want to hear from anyone who either saw the accident or saw either the yellow lorry or Mr Harrison’s black Suzuki bike before it happened, just before 5pm, outside the Alps College on the A1077, near Roxby village on July 13.

It is thought the occupant or occupants of a green-coloured Toyota Yaris may have witnessed the crash.

Police have again urged the driver of this vehicle to make contact.

Anyone who may be able to help with the police’s enquiries is asked to call 0845 60 60 222, quoting LOG 479 13/07/10.