A man described as a true character and "Liverpool legend" has died with Covid-19 aged 90.
Tommy Miller, from Scotland Road, became well known in the city as a man who would stop and talk to anyone.
His son-in-law for over 45 years, Peter McGrail, said he was known for entertaining people with his stories from his years spent at sea.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Tommy became a quartermaster for the Cunard shipping company but his life on the ocean started when he was just 15-years-old.
Peter, 63, said: "He had a hell of a life, quite the character," adding: "When he was 15 he was a Co-op delivery lad. He was delivering cigarettes on his bike and he was down at the dock.
"The guys on the ship said to him there's a place here, do you want to go get on and go to New York?
"So that's what he did, he jumped on the ship.
"His mother didn't know where he was - she gets a phone call from him about five weeks later when he arrived in New York.
"He then stayed at sea for about 20 years until he was 35. He spent the rest of his life talking about it - he'd been everywhere."
Tommy went on to write a book full of tales about his time at sea called Pier Head Jump.
Find the number of people vaccinated near you by entering your postcode below
His reputation as a storyteller and people person later earned Tommy a slot on Billy Butler and Wally Scott's iconic phone in show Hold Your Plums.
For years Tommy was the man who would talk to contestants who had phoned in before putting them through to Billy and Wally.
He eventually got his own half hour show where he would regale listeners with tales from his time at sea.
His daughter Catherine, 63, said: "Put it this way, he had the life of Riley. He was looked after from morning to night, and wandered around town all day chatting to people, right up until he was about 80.
"He had one long social life!"
Tommy's wife, Francis, died in 2016 and for the past few years Tommy had suffered with dementia and was living in a care home in Croxteth.
On the morning of Sunday, February 7, son-in-law Peter confirmed Tommy died "peacefully" with pneumonia and Covid-19.
After news of his death was posted up on local community groups on Facebook, people started paying their tributes and share their stories about Tommy.
One woman posted: "My lovely next door but one neighbour. Tommy was great, when my dad's car was smashed up by car thieves years ago, he got one of the lads and kept him till the police came!!! Dad was in shock so we were very grateful."
A post in another group said: "RIP Tommy. Another legend has passed. Sleep tight Tommy now your together again with Francis. "
A member of a local band called The Cheap Thrills posted: "Sad to hear of the passing of Tommy Miller, a Liverpool legend and Orrell Park resident. The third verse in our song “Oparadise” was reference to [one of Tommy's amazing stories]."
Another post said: "What a lovely man - will never be forgotten."
Tommy Miller's funeral will take place on Tuesday, March 9.
Such was Tommy's popularity, the family have decided not to name where the funeral is taking place just yet.
Son-in-law Peter said: "Had there not been a pandemic on I probably would have had to book the cathedral. He was just that well known."
