Popular landlord is found dead at pub
Gary Parker, 46, was found dead at the William Cookworthy pub in Tregonissey Road at around 1pm on Tuesday last week.
He was found by a customer.
It is believed he hanged himself and the coroner has been informed.
Only four days earlier Mr Parker had proposed to his partner of eight years, Maxine Crane, 42.
This week she paid tribute to the man regulars used to call 'the gentle giant in the clouds'.
She said: "It's knocked me for six; I'm completely shocked. He has left me on my own."
Gary, who was a big Chelsea Football Club supporter, leaves behind three children from a previous relationship – 13-year-old Jack, Jay, 11, and Jeorge, nine.
Maxine, who helped to bring up Gary's children, said: "He was a larger than life character.
"People used to call him the gentle giant in the clouds.
"Everybody loved him and he would do anything for anyone.
"He was a joker and the most romantic man in the world – I would only have to look at something in the shop window and the next day he would buy it.
"He was the love of my life and before that we were best friends."
A tribute group has been set up on Facebook for friends to post messages of condolence for Gary, who was also a big St Austell Football Club supporter and a regular at Poltair Park.
Friend and customer at the William Cookworthy, Viv Lee, had been with Gary the night before his death.
He said: "He was a good mate of mine. I was with him until about 11.30pm the night before and he was cuddling Maxine as usual.
"Everything was normal – nobody can understand it.
"Gary was happy-go-lucky. He was fine. Nobody can imagine what could have been wrong.
"We went to the social club opposite on Tuesday lunch time for a drink because the pub was closed. We just can't believe it."
Gary and Maxine, both originally from Holbeach, Lincolnshire, have been running the pub for 17 months.
As well as being a lover of sport, Gary was also in the Territorial Army for several years and enjoyed collecting koi carp.
Gary's funeral is being held at Glynn Valley Crematorium, Bodmin, on Monday, at 10.30am.
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