People have been mourning the loss of Mark ‘Fudge’ Reardon, a man well-known and well-loved in the South Hams.

Mark was born on October 1, 1969, at Freedom Fields Hospital, Plymouth, to parents George and Thelma Reardon. He had five siblings, Angela Edgecombe, Colin Hesse, Steven Hesse, Kevin Reardon and Denise Reardon.

He died on June 23, after battling metastasised renal cancer. He passed away at Exeter Hospice after entering just 12 hours beforehand.

Mark had two children with partner Emma King, six-year-old Jacob and 16-month-old Amelia.

Mark attended Kingsbridge Primary School and then Kingsbridge Secondary, and had been working as a Stagecoach bus driver when he died.

It was at school that the nickname ‘Fudge’ was created and stayed with him for the rest of his life. Emma told us that it was a very simple connection, saying: “He wrote a story in primary school about a budgie that ate fudge, that’s it, and it stuck.”

Emma said Mark had been working for Stagecoach for the past 11 months, training and working hard, and was “really enjoying it”.

She said Mark was passionate about “dance music, clubbing, and shopping”. She said he was “always bargain hunting” and would often visit two or more different shops to make sure he could get the best price. “I stopped going shopping with him in the end!” she laughed as she remembered him.

The couple met in Kingsbridge on a night out, when Emma was just a teenager. “I was about 16 or 17, on the Quay. My friend had had an argument and run off and Mark helped me find them and really looked after me.

“We would bump into each other from then on, but he was older than me at 28, so I never thought he would be interested. In the end I made Mum call him and ask him over for a cup of tea!

“People said it wouldn’t last - that was twenty years ago.”

When asked what she thought was so special about her partner, Emma said: “I just loved everything about him. He was such a nice guy, he would do anything for anyone, even right out of his way. And not because he felt he had to, he wanted to.

“Even the little things that he did that annoyed me, now I’d give anything for them to annoy me again. He just had such a big heart and was an amazing Daddy to our children.” Mark was well-known in the area, with a outpouring of love flooding social media when his death was announced. “Anywhere we went, Mark knew everyone”, Emma added.

Claire Williams said: “Thank you for being part of our family for over 20 years, thank you for loving our gorgeous Ems the way you did and thank you for Jacob and Amelia. You are so missed but we promise your memory will live on through your gorgeous children.

“We will all look after Emma and the kiddies, not like you could but we will try our best. Laila looks out for the biggest shining star when it gets dark and knows it’s Uncle Fudge. Hope you are dancing up there. Love you xxxx”

Joe Elworthy: “Mark and Emma where our Neighbours for two years! Over that time Jacob arrived. I remember talking with Mark when he came home from the hospital as he was so proud. He was always such a kind and caring man who loved his family dearly!

“Such a shame he was taken far too soon. X”

Leah Jordan: “I will always remember you in Coast, then wondering up to Hyam Jordan’s for cheesy chips after! Always so lovely, I don’t know emma but he spoke so highly of her. Just a beautiful man inside and out xx”

Claire Vallance: “Dear Fudge, You were such a truly amazing person and such a dear friend over the years! I will always hold clubbing memories close to my heart and I can honestly say you were one of the most kindest, caring, loving, generous men who I have ever had the pleasure to meet! Love you Fudge... forever in our hearts.”

Sharon Anniss: “Fudge, you were one of a kind, a ray of sunshine with some wicked dance moves!! I was so lucky to have worked with you and danced with you with our Fusion Family. Good times and great laughs.

“Although I’d not seen you for a while, I always classed you as a good friend and I feel angry that you have been taken away to soon.

“Emma has been amazing and we will all look out for her and your beautiful children. Keep Dancing Fudge, forever in our hearts xxx”

Marilyn Callard: “A special smile and memories of the social club years ago, on the dance floor. Such a lovely man. Taken too young.”

Margaret Frost: “Lovely guy loved his family very much it was a honour to have known him .God bless xxx”

Tanya King Martin: “Dear Fudge, still can’t believe you are gone, wish you could have stayed longer. I am so glad you and Emma met and we were all lucky enough to have you in our lives for over 20 years, and thank you so much for bringing gorgeous, gorgeous Jacob and Amelia into our lives too.

“Such a kind and friendly family man and an amazing daddy, you will be missed by so many, especially Em and the children. I will cherish all the memories of the happy times over the last 20(ish) years, and will remember you both as family and a friend x”

Sandra Kelly-Harper: “Fudge, you were a true gentleman, great memories of working with you at the Village Inn about 20 years ago, and some of the great staff parties we had, you were always there for anyone who needed you with words of advice or just a shoulder to cry on.

“You truly were a kind, caring, loving man who I had the great pleasure of knowing.

“Your Emma has been amazing such a strong woman and your beautiful children.

“Taken to young, forever in our hearts, you will be missed by so many whose hearts you have touched and captured over the years. xxxx”

Kimberly Jade Roberts: “Had the pleasure of working with Fudge at Creeks. He looked after me as I was only a young’un and we had loads of laughs with Steve Boxwell x”

Jessie Hughes: “A great man, he always stood back to give Emma the stage. His presence was quiet but strong. Having said that I know he will truly missed. Rest well my friend xx”

Julie Nettleton: “A true gentleman, always put everybody else first. He will be sadly missed, and feel so lucky to have worked with him. Xx”

Emma thanked everyone for “all the love and support during our sad time” and for all the donations made to the Exeter Hospice.