Tragic John Pender was yesterday described as a “gentle giant” after his brutal killing in Spain yesterday.
The acupuncturist and charity worker had been looking to the trip to Fuengirola with his wife Caroline McGuigan, founder of Suicide Or Survive, and their two children Conor, 21, and 18-year-old Amy.
A neighbour, who has lived next to the family in Shankhill in South Co Dublin, for the past 17 years told of their anguish over the attack.
They told Dublin Live: “He was a fantastic, friendly man. A gentle giant. He wouldn’t hurt a fly.
“He’d do anything for you. If the weather was bad, he would often knock in here to see if I needed anything in the shop, milk or anything, or if I needed a lift anywhere.
“He was a great neighbour, we are very lucky to have known him.”
“He said to me before he left, ‘We’ll have great craic with the kids now that they are a bit older’. He couldn’t wait, they were his pride and joy.
“They are in an awful state, so are the rest of us, I can’t believe it. Everyone is shell-shocked.”
Mr Pender had been out with his wife and their two best friends at Pogs Old Irish Rock Pub when he was allegedly stabbed by a British man.
The families were less than 48 hours into their 10-day break when tragedy struck.
Another resident, who has lived near the family for 25 years, said Mr Pender was always smiling and pleasant to everyone he met.
They added: “No matter where you met John he stood to have a chat with you, usually on his way down to the beach. He and Caroline are pillars of the community, very popular, and very much loved, they have done so much for [mental health] charity, he would cycle to raise money and awareness for Caroline’s charity.”
Friends of the couple also took to social media to pay their tributes to the family.
One wrote: “My mind can’t actually fathom the news, heartbroken for you all.”
Another added: “So sorry you have to go through this, my heart is breaking for you.”
