A TABLE tennis memorial will be unveiled in memory of Sean “Pops” Popowicz next week.

To celebrate the 35-year-old’s life, his family have organised for two table tennis tables to be installed at one of Sean’s favourite spots in Quarry Road Park, Old Town.

The celebration will fall on what would have been Sean's 36th birthday on April 13.

A charity tribute night held at the MECA in February raised more than £2,000 which was donated towards the tables.

Electrician Sean, affectionately known as Pops, died on July 11 at his home in Pembroke Road.

He left behind parents John and Jenny, siblings Liam, Katie and Sinead, along with 10 cousins, a parade of godchildren, and his adored niece – three-year-old Erin.

Sean’s father, retired senior fire officer John Popowicz said the tennis tables were a fitting tribute to their ‘fun loving and sociable’ son.

“After Sean’s passing, his friends came to us and said that Sean had seen these table tennis tables in Parks across Bristol and that he thought it would be a great idea to bring them to Swindon,” he said.

“He thought people would really enjoy them. Sadly he didn’t get a chance to do that so this is for him.

“Sean loved Quarry Road Park so it only seems right that the tables are set up there where he used to hang out with his friends, growing up.

John said Sean would be delighted with the tennis tables.

“He would just be overwhelmed knowing that those tables will be there for years in his honour.

“I think he would have been really pleased that something he loved will provide so much joy for everyone else. He was a big character, what you see was what you got with Sean, he would have loved the idea, it’s something that he wanted to bring to Swindon.”

Multi-coloured balloons will be set off at the tables followed by a celebratory toast at Sean’s local pub, The Globe.

Sean, who was known for his love of tie-dye shirts and techno, touched the lives of hundreds around Swindon, who paid tribute to him in the aftermath of his passing.

More than 500 people attended his funeral at Holyrood with the coffin painted to resemble his favourite tie-dye t-shirt.

He was described as a “legend” by hundreds of friends and his handful of godchildren.

An inquest last month found the former St Joseph’s Catholic College student died from an accidental drug overdose.

The table tennis tables will be unveiled at Quarry Road Park on April 13 from 6pm.