He had all the qualities any mother would be proud of

The congregation at St Stephen's Church, at Acomb, York, heard tributes paid to the 25-year-old, who died on Easter Sunday when the Audi A4 he was travelling in with three friends overturned at Gate Helmsley.

"Stephen had a great capacity for friendship. That perhaps is testified by the fact there are so many of you here today," said the Rev Peter Horsley.

Stephen - known as "Broom" to his friends because of his surname - had been the only son of widow Julie Broomhead, who lost her husband James, 43, to a shock heart attack last year.

So many people turned out to pay their final respects that mourners were forced to stand at the back of the church and in extra rooms upstairs.

Many were overcome with emotion as the P Diddy classic I'll be Missing You was played to the hushed congregation in Stephen's memory.

Paying tribute to the former Lowfield School pupil's warm and friendly nature, Mr Horsley said: "He was the kind of friend people would turn to when they needed someone.

"People have described how he always had a smile, a wave, someone who would say hello to everyone.

"He had all the qualities any mother would be proud of.

"He was someone who didn't bear grudges - he was always willing to forgive.

"He had a great energy simply for enjoying life - he didn't map his life out.

"It seems there were never enough hours for what he wanted to do."

Stephen was educated at Westfield Primary, Carr Junior and Lowfield schools - where he used to play football. He went on to various jobs, including working for Kwik-Fit.

This job reflected his lifelong passion for cars - started as a toddler when he was given a Scalextrix for his first birthday.

A solemn procession followed Stephen's coffin as it was carried out of the church. Mourners went on to a cremation service at Bishopthorpe Crematorium.

The Evening Press was invited to attend the funeral by Stephen's family.

Updated: 09:35 Saturday, April 30, 2005