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The partner of missing Newlyn fisherman Mark Jose has this week written a moving tribute to the man she loved. Emma Jarvis, who is four months pregnant with Mark's baby, told The Cornishman she was too grief stricken to talk about the tragedy.

However, she wanted to write a tribute to Mark.

The 42-year-old fisherman was lost at sea, presumed drowned, when the Newlyn netter Sabre sank nine miles off The Lizard on March 13.

His crewmates Carl Thomas and Malcolm Nicholls survived a 12-hour ordeal in a life raft before being picked up by the rescue services and returned to their families.

In her tribute to Mark, Emma writes that he lived for his family; becoming a father were the happiest times of his life.

"Mark was born at West Cornwall Hospital on May 5, 1961, the son of Heather Matthews and the late Harvey Jose," she writes.

"Mark spent his upbringing at St Mary's Terrace, Penzance, overlooking Morrab Gardens, with his parents, brothers and sister.

"He attended St Mary's C of E School, then St Paul's Junior School and following on to Lescudjack Secondary School.

"After leaving school Mark became an apprentice with Hill and Enderby Engineers at Long Rock and for several years after became assistant manager at the Barn Club.

"Mark gradually became more involved with fishing and became skipper of the Gary M for many years.

"Mark retired from fishing to come ashore and during the past two years has repaired and maintained fishing vessels in Newlyn, which he loved to do.

"Fishing took up a big part of Mark's life for many years and he found it hard to give up, so when an offer came up to help out with a trip, it was very hard for Mark to turn down.

"In all aspects of Mark's life if any one asked for his help - whether work, personal or otherwise - he would always try to help in any way he could.

"Becoming a dad were the happiest times of his life. Having a family life, Mark was much more reluctant about going to sea.

"His family was a big priority in his life. He lived for them - as they did for him.

"In the end the sea took Mark's life and took him from us. Mark will be forever in our hearts and thoughts. We will always love him and he will never be forgotten."

Emma said that Mark leaves behind children - James, Kate and an unborn daughter - his mother and stepfather Heather and Clive Matthews, brothers Andrew, Charles and Antony and sister Juliette and their families.

article copyright © THE CORNISHMAN