Tribute to 'gentle soul' Harry Hennessy who died in Wickford care home
The family of a 60-year-old man who died in a care home in Essex have described him as a "gentle soul".
Harry Hennessy died at Longcroft care home in Wickford on Thursday.
Essex Police have charged Jay Turner, 43, with murder. He is due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on 7 July.
Mr Hennessy's family said his last three years at Longcroft were "the best of his life."
“As family, we need to express who our brother Harry was – and still is within our hearts: he was a gentle soul who had a difficult life due to his illness associated with mental health", his family said. “He knew he was not blessed with the same abilities as others, but he worked hard to be accepted into society. He made sure to treat everyone as they should be treated - with kindness and understanding. He had so much love and compassion to give to those he knew.“His last three years at Longcroft were the best of his life. He was cared for by their wonderful team, who worked extremely hard to gain his trust and to allow Harry to become the person he really was meant to be. All without prejudice or fear, just patience and love.“In Harry’s life, we have one regret - that Harry was not living at Longcroft years ago, because what they achieved with Harry was to give him a fulfilling life, a wonderful home and love. It is with great sadness that this was taken away too soon."