"TO our granddad in heaven above, you are the one that we do love.

"As every year that passes through, we know that life is going to be hard without you."

The poignant words of Peter Alexander's granddaughter, Terri Lee, who penned a heart-felt poem which was read out at his funeral.

It was standing room only at St Edward The Confessor Church, Tadcaster Road, York, as hundreds of mourners packed the service to celebrate the life of the popular van driver for The Press.

Mr Alexander, 57, a father-of-five, of Dringhouses, died in an horrific accident which also claimed the lives of York school pupils Joel Corner, 15, and Daniel Wright, 15.

The Vicar of St Edwards, Reverend Martin Baldock, told the congregation: "We are here to pay our last respects to Peter Alexander following the shocking and stunning news of his death and the manner of it. It has affected each one of us and we're here to grieve and celebrate Peter's life."

Mr Alexander's nephew Kevin Alexander read out a tribute entitled, "My Dad" on behalf of his family and asked the congregation to give a round of applause in his memory.

Kevin said his uncle had been a driver for 40 years and had the "warmest smile you could ever come across".

His interests included fishing in Ireland, watching Formula One racing, karaoke and drinking at the Crescent Working Men's Club, where he was a committee member.

"You will always be in our thoughts and hearts dad," the tribute said.

In his address, Mr Baldock said he "wished" they did not have to be at the funeral and that it was just another normal day.

"We're here saddened by the tragic, untimely death of a fairly fit, active man with many more years to look forward to," he said. "Peter's death comes too soon after the death of his own dad."

Mr Baldock said Mr Alexander's death would cause "frustration, anger, numbness, hopelessness and loneliness", but would give them the chance of a fresh start and realisation that "life doesn't go on forever". "Never forget he is dead, but remember how much he lived," he said.

"Laugh about him, cry about him, support one another and give your heart, love and life to the living God for there lies the path to healing."

Mourners were invited back for a drink at the Crescent WMC and a collection was taken for Martin House Children's Hospice.

Mr Alexander leaves behind a wife, Ann, five children, ten grandchildren and ten brothers and sisters.

His father, Norman Alexander, 83, a decorated war veteran, recently died just a few months after he was controversially moved out of his Acomb Gables home.

The Press attended the funeral with the permission of Mr Alexander's family.

Updated: 17:00 Thursday, May 04, 2006