MICHAEL RYDERdied in an accident on the M5 on 21 September, 2008.
He was 31 and from Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire.
Michael's death was the second tragedy to hit his mother, Diane Ryder. She lost her two-year-old daughter, Tina, who died after an appendix operation in 1972.
Family friend Sandra Partridge said she felt for Diane, her husband Ralph and Michael's brother, Carl, and sister, Maria.
She knew the family when they lived for many years in Prior's Park, before they moved to Newtown.
She said: "He was a smashing kid. I've known him all his life.
"He was ill as a baby and Di went through a lot with him. He was a really good kid. He loved to chat to everybody."
Prior's Park resident Joan Sklenar said: "Mike was a well-known figure here. He used to do his mum's shopping.
"He'd always help. He was very friendly natured. You could always say hello to him."
Michael used to work as a refuse collector for Tewkesbury Borough Council.
The head of commercial services, Chris Pike, said: "Mike was employed by us for a short period in the 1990s and also worked for us on other occasions as an agency worker.
"He was always keen and had a good knowledge of the work we asked him to do. The loss is tragic."
Many people paid tribute to Michael on the Gloucestershire Echo's website.
Mike and Teresa, from Tewkesbury, said: "We've known Mike for years. We only spoke to him on Friday, and he was full of talk about his latest interest. He was a really nice chap."
Kelly Soper, from Bourton-on-the-Water , went to school with Michael. She said: "He was a good, strong guy who had numerous operations as a child."
Tracy, from Tewkesbury, said: "Michael was a local chap who never passed me without saying hello."
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