Tributes have been pouring in for a well-known Exeter character and ‘loveable rogue’ who was a familiar figure seen collecting scrap metal around the city.
Tim ‘Timmy’ Wakeley had been living at homeless hostel Gabriel House in the city centre for the past few years, and it was there he was found passed away last Thursday, May 7.
A post mortem examination is being carried out to confirm how the 59-year-old, who had spent much of his life battling addictions, has died.
His brother Chris said: “He was a loveable rogue. No matter what he did he got away with it. Everyone knew him because he did what he wanted when he wanted. It’s unreal how many people knew him.
“There were always two sides to him, but he was extremely kind. He would have hardly anything and still give it to a homeless person.
“He had a really wicked and unique sense of humour.”
An infamous example was when two suspicious packages triggered a double bomb scare in the city centre.
They were left on York Road which caused the nearby mosque and neighbouring school and homes to be evacuated.
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However, the packages, two cases, were later found to be full of junk such as old computer materials and electrical wiring, which had been fished out of a nearby skip before they were abandoned.
It was traced back to Timmy and another individual who were issued ‘words of advice’ by police.
Chris said: “Sometimes he didn’t realise how bad what he was doing was. People thought he was mad, but he was switched on. He often did things for a laugh.
“But he was always a loner which is a bit sad, and he battled addictions during his lifetime.
“His death was a shock but because of the lifestyle he lived, everyone was expecting him to have died 20 years ago. I can’t believe he lasted as long as he did.
“As only immediate family will be able to attend the funeral, we are keeping his ashes and after lockdown we will organise a ceremony for him so that all his friends can say goodbye.
"We would like to thank Gabriel House for caring for Timmy over his final years. They are very special people."
Timmy was born in Exeter and was the eldest of four brothers. He went to school in Stoke Hill and then went onto Heles High School, and then went on to become a bricklayer who worked on building sites all around the country, and Europe.
Due to a troubled upbringing, Timmy lived independently from the age of 18 and was a free spirit who was known for doing things in his own unique way.
Among those who have paid tribute to him online is Jonathan Gould, who described Timmy as a real ‘Exeter legend’ with a ‘heart of gold’ and ‘good sense of humour’.
He said: “To some, Tim was a lost soul pacing the streets at all hours, pushing a care or a huge trailer loaded full of scrap metal and washing machines around the city, making his way to Marsh Barton where he could cash in his collection of the day.
“Tim could push tonnes worth of scrap from Pinhoe and down the river without any difficulty, but if you knew the real Tim then you know him for the beast of a man that he once was.”
He continued: “Once upon a time he was a husband and father with a house and mortgage, just like the rest of us, until for some reason unbeknown to me, something changed and he stepped off the path.”
A fundraiser has been set up for Tim's funeral. To make a donation click here
