TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the city's best-known pub landlords after he died in his sleep.
Colin Harman, 54, had been serving customers at the Bonny Boat just hours before suffering a heart attack in bed at his home above the pub in Trinity Lane in Hull city centre.
Mr Harman had been in the pub trade for more than 20 years having run the Spread Eagle in Withernsea and Hull Cheese before taking on the Bonny Boat 12 years ago.
His partner of six years, Linda Levantiz, has been left devastated.
She said: "I met him when I used to come to the pub and have known him for ten years.
"I could not have met a better person. I will miss everything about him.
"We worked together and spent all our days together. He was so easygoing.
"He would help everybody if he could and had a smile for everyone. He was a total gentleman.
"We were planning our future and were considering whether to retire at the end of the year.
"There have been hundreds of well-wishers on Facebook and I've received a lot of cards."
While Mr Harman had previously suffered from a thyroid problem but was given the all-clear in September. He was found dead in his bed on Easter Monday.
Mr Harman was particularly proud of the flowers that adorned the Bonny Boat and he clinched the Hull In Bloom Best Pub award on several occasions.
Ms Levantiz said: "He was a lovely, wonderful man who would talk to anyone.
"All his customers would come in and shake his hand before ordering a pint.
"He was a proper landlord who believed in being present at the pub for most of the time rather than just being a manager.
"The pub will not be the same without him."
Mr Harman was born in Cottingham and has lived in East Yorkshire for most of his life. He has a daughter Rebecca, 31, and two grandsons.
He was in the building trade before entering the pub industry 20 years ago.
He took part in the live nativity in Old Town at Christmas, playing the part of an innkeeper.
Fish and chip shop owner Bob carver was good friends with Mr Harman.
He said: "He would come in to the shop for a cup of tea about three times a day.
"We had some good banter between us. We had a right good laugh.
"It is such a shame, he was like a brother to me."
Mike Woollas, landlord at the Ye Old White Hart in the Old Town, played snooker with Mr Harman every week. He said: "He was a big joker and was always laughing. He had time for everyone."
Mr Harman's funeral will be held at Haltemprice Crematorium on Thursday at 3.45pm.
