Cafe Fish owner Paul Bradley, who was pronounced dead after being taken from the sea in Newcastle, Co Down, was a huge personality and presence in the lives of everyone who knew him, his family said.
Mr Bradley (63), the owner of the noted fish and chip shop on the Lisburn Road in Belfast, died yesterday after getting into difficulties while swimming off South Promenade in Newcastle.
His family, wife Gabby, daughter Siobhan, and sons Jacob, Matthew and Peadar, are in shock, adding "it is difficult to know what life will be like without him, such a huge personality and presence in everyone's lives".
"We are extremely proud of our dad/husband and we want to thank everyone for your kind messages about Paul, " the family said.
"He loved Cafe Fish and thrived chatting and joking with the customers. It is comforting in these difficult times to know he was so well-liked and respected in the community."
They also thanked the ambulance service, lifeboat crew and the PSNI for their efforts to save Paul.
Emergency services were alerted following a report the man was in difficulties off the town's South Promenade on Wednesday around 10am. He was swimming at a popular spot for all-year round sea swimmers close to Newcastle Harbour.
Newcastle RNLI were the first responders to the incident, which happened close to the lifeboat station, also on South Promenade.
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"The inshore lifeboat launched shortly before 10am and the casualty was quickly taken ashore, and casualty care was administered by the lifeboat crew until the arrival of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Air Ambulance NI was also tasked," the local RNLI spokesperson said.
Members of the lifeboat unit attempted to resuscitate Mr Bradley as they waited for the NIAS to arrive. He was pronounced dead by an ambulance crew.
Mr Bradley, who previously ran the Victoria Junction chip shop in Lurgan, his home town, was an "infectious guy, a great guy", said Sean Lawlor, a friend of 20 years and owner of the nearby Cambridge Barbershop on Lisburn Road.
"We remember Paul first opening up. He had cemented Cafe Fish into the heart of Lisburn Road and fast became a popular venue among the many eateries and bars that sit along the road," Mr Lawlor said.
"With Paul always heard shouting 'order on', he created an ambience like no other and knew how to attract customers....and keep them. We will miss him shouting...his infectious smile and him also revving his 'baby' when driving past the barbershop."
Mr Lawlor explained his friend had several cars, including a Nissan sports vehicle. He would rev the car on the road, prompting "slagging" from all he was trying to be 18 again.
His friend enthusiastically took up sea swimming several years ago, during the pandemic lock downs.
"It is just a terrible, terrible tragedy," said Mr Lawlor.
South Belfast MP Claire Hanna described as "tragic and shocking" the death of "a local businessman of decades standing" who built Café Fish into an institution.
"His loss to the community will be keenly felt. Paul was a larger than life character, warm and friendly - his catchphrase of ‘order on’ bellowed back into the kitchen was known by many," Ms Hanna said.
“He was a family friend and my mum was talking to him only last week and he was saying how he was spending more time in Newcastle, enjoying a bit of downtime after decades of throwing himself into the business. Our thoughts are with his beloved wife Gabby and their family as they deal with this awful shock."
Broadcaster Donna Traynor posted on X: "So sorry to hear about the passing of Paul Bradley. He was well known in the Lisburn Road area for his friendly banter with customers. Condolences to his family."
Local people described the sea in Newcastle as "very rough" on Wednesday morning with a strong wind blowing from the south east churning up the water.
