Friends and family of a life-long Queens Park Rangers fan from South Oxhey, who died last year, held two special memorial celebrations.

David Berger, from Heysham Drive in South Oxhey, lost his four year battle with cancer in September.

Friends and family of “Budgie” spent two different days celebrating his life, one at his beloved football club and another at his favourite fishing spot.

On Thursday, his wife Debra Berger led a group of friends and family to Loftus Road, where they were given a tour of the ground and a memorial service on the pitch.

Mrs Berger said: “The day started with a visit to the famous pie, mash, and liquor shop, and a drink in the Springbok pub next to the ground.

“QPR provided a tour of the ground inside and out, and a memorial service was held behind the home goal.

“A little [of Mr Berger's ashes] was left behind to go onto the turf when the new pitch is laid for the premiership. The service finished with family letting off a balloon.”

At the end of March, Croxley Hall Fisheries dedicated Mr Berger's favourite fishing spot to him, with a plaque, and a goodbye drink in the fishing lodge, provided by owner Paul Sansom-Timms.

Mrs Berger added: “These were two completely different memorial days, but two days which will be remembered by all that came.

“Every fish that is caught in the swim and every goal that is scored by QPR will be Dave's sign to say 'I'm watching'.”

Mr Berger, a specialist plasterer who decorated ceilings with artex, and Debra, grew up in White City, London.

They became friends in their early 20s and married in 1984, celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary last year, and had three sons, Daniel 26, Ryan 22, and James 20.

Mrs Berger said: “He loved football, fishing, any sport going really. A big group of them used to go fishing for a week in France.

“He did the ceiling for one of our friends, and when they came home and turned the television on, it was on a fishing programme. He was a joker and liked to have a laugh and a chat.”

In 2006 the 51-year-old was diagnosed with skin cancer, and after a long fight was given the all-clear. However, when it returned last year the disease proved too much.

Mrs Berger, who works at Northwood Headquarters, said: “I was absolutely shattered and devastated by the news he had cancer again.

“Once he lost his hair was when he gave the fight up. For his birthday everyone sent him bottles of “Just For Men” because he always had a full head of hair and they weren't used to seeing him bald.”

Several events were held in South Oxhey for Mr Berger, The Grapevine pub held two memorial golf days, the Dick Whittington pub held darts, poker and auction events.

Andy Piggott, close friend and fellow fisherman, said: “He was one of the world's greatest blokes, everyone liked him, in the 20 years I knew him nobody had a bad word about him.”