Wife of missing Warrington pensioner after his body is recovered from River Mersey

Police have confirmed a body recovered from the River Mersey in Warrington is missing pensioner Keith Taylor

The 76 year old from Padgate went missing before Christmas.

His wife Anita has paid tribute to her husband, as well as thanking the emergency services who carried out the search.

Anita said: “Keith was a complete gentleman and so kind."

"We were married for 48-years and have both lived in Warrington for all of our lives where we had a son together and two grandchildren."

“After Keith retired from Tetley's he joined me at Beaumont Academy where he was a caretaker for ten years. He was very popular with the students and staff and they kept in touch with him. Keith then retired from Beaumont Academy to join me in spending quality time with me and our two grandsons. He has also devoted 33-years of his life to volunteering.

“Keith thoroughly enjoyed being a volunteer at St Rocco’s Hospice, we both worked there together and he found it so rewarding helping so many people.

“Keith has always been there for me and supported me throughout our time together including when I received my MBE in November 2009 for services to St Rocco's Hospice. I will miss him so much.”

Anita has received a number of donations from members of the public and will be sharing between St Rocco’s Hospice and Cheshire Search & Rescue.

She added: “I can’t thank Cheshire Search & Rescue enough for all the time and effort they put in to help find Keith, they have been outstanding and to Alford Hall Sports & Social Club for letting the police use their facilities during the search."

“The support from the public has been so amazing and I want to thank everyone for getting behind the search for Keith, I sincerely appreciate it."

“I must also thank the officers at Cheshire Police who have been so wonderful and treated me with such respect and understanding. They have helped make an extremely difficult time a lot easier.”