The leading businessman who was kind, caring and thoughtful.

Tributes to Honiton businessman Mike Bithrey, whose death is being treated as murder, have been led today by fellow business owner Sonya Cowley.

She said: “The loss of Mike Bithrey is terrible.

“Mike was a prominent businessman in Honition.

“He may have been a toughie in business, but he was a kind, thoughtful and caring man.”

Sonya, of Cowley Lettings, added: “I will miss him terribly in my business, which he helped me set up four years ago.

“I will also miss him personally.

“God bless, Mike. Rest in peace.”

Mr Bithrey, a father of four grown-up daughters, was formerly a town councillor in Honiton where, over the years, he has owned properties in High Street, King Street, New Street and Queen Street, among other areas.

He was the founder of Bithrey Holdings, which is based in Bithrey House, King Street.

Building and property management were among his many strengths.

He leaves a loving wife, Helen, and was a grandfather and great-grandfather.

The Midweek Herald would like to thank Mrs Helen Bithrey, along with Mr Bithrey’s youngest daughter, Sarah, for their kind assistance at this extremely difficult time.

Tributes to Mr Bithrey can be left below or emailed to belinda.bennett@archant.co.uk

Tribute from Alan Rowe MBE: “Like many others this weekend Mike Bithrey will be in my thoughts, especially on the CFT Challenge as, at such times, your mind tends to reflect. Mike was exceptionally proud of his own family and typically kind to us as a family. A great customer for nearly 20 years, we were like a couple of schoolboys at times in the shop, often being “told off” in a playful way by the ladies as we giggled away.

“Mike was always genuinely interested in any charitable challenges I had coming up, sometimes quietly concerned that I might be pushing things a bit, a great supporter of the Baton as he had close family members associated with the forces and generous on many occasions. To lose him in such circumstances is devastating for many of us, especially his family... I will miss him immensely, but so grateful to have known him.”

Nick Whittaker, of NJ Whittaker Limited, said: “Shocked and deeply saddened by the news.

“Although we didn’t always see eye to eye in business, I have a huge amount of respect and gratitude towards Mike for all that he did for me personally over the years.

“A sad loss.”