NEIL Johnston was the youngest of five brothers and described as ‘gifted’ by his loved ones.

“He could turn his hand to anything,” his dad Frank said.

The Johnstons ran the Esso filling station at King Street, Weymouth for 22 years before retiring.

Frank, who is also a former coastguard, added: “People always used to ask us: ‘How do you manage to bring up five boys?’ but they were fantastic.

“Neil won an award for his work at Newton’s Cove. Senior engineers used to go and ask his advice for things.

“He was a very clever man, everybody had respect for him. We’re devastated.”

Former All Saints School pupil Neil, aged 39, worked for many years at Dean & Dyball, and worked on many projects including the Millennium Dome.

He was the father of Liam, 13, and Sam, 11, and youngest brother of Terry, Colin, Michael and David.

David Johnston, who owns an auto maintenance business, said: “He was the best brother in the world.

“He did a lot of work for me around the house and we did a lot of extensions together.

“He was brilliant, such a gifted, talented man. I was always there for him.

“We used to go out together on motorbikes, cars and bikes together.

“We went skiing together, anything with a thrill factor.

“If I did something he had to do one better.”

Neil’s partner-of-seven years Shelagh, aged 40, said: “Neil was as strong as an ox.

“He was young and he was fit and he was healthy.

“He would do anything for anybody.

“My son Jake, who’s just turned 18, thought the world of him. He was like a father to him.”

Neil’s mum Anne said: “It’s amazing the amount of people who have rung up with their condolences.

“We’ve had Neil’s friends calling from, Australia, Plymouth, all over the place.

“It’s not until times like these that you realise how kind people are.”

Weymouth plasterer Roger Pearce worked with Neil during the late 1980s and early 90s.

He said: “He was such a good lad, there wasn’t anyone who worked harder and this is such a shame.

“Quite a few of us worked together for Parker Builders, I was the plastering contractor.

“Neil got on well with everybody, he was so determined to learn and had such a good work ethic.

“This has come as a real shock.”