A father fell to his death from a high ledge while taking a peek inside the new apartment being built for him by his brother.

Donahue (Donnie) Sousa, a 45-year-old cancer survivor, is believed to have climbed perilous steps outside the still under-construction building in Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke, before slipping and plunging about 50 feet on Friday afternoon.

The three-storey block of dormitories and offices is being erected by his brother Ricky Sousa's firm RMS Construction, and the victim had been promised a penthouse suite on the top floor.

With the property locked up, Donnie Sousa is thought to have attempted to look inside while he passed time waiting for his only son, also called Donnie, to finish work.

At about 4.20 p.m., his lifeless body was found on the ground outside next-door Best Shipping. One of his sneakers was a few yards away, with devastated Ricky Sousa speculating his brother may have lost balance after his footwear came loose.

Ricky Sousa, who was also the victim's boss and is a well-known runner, told The Royal Gazette yesterday: "I will look at that step every single day I come to work for the rest of my life. I don't think that's a negative thing — at least he will be in my thoughts."

The new property, which will host RMS Construction offices and nine rooms for the firm's staff, will now be named the Donahue Harley Sousa building.

Ricky Sousa and the rest of the victim's family described him as a fun character who never took life too seriously. He recently fought a successful battle with cancer, visiting the United States for treatment for a large period of last year.

He had worked for Ricky Sousa for 25 years, first as a talented mason at RMS Construction and more recently with roofing company SKB Coatings.

Ricky Sousa said moving into the new home would have been a new chapter in his life.

"He was really excited about it," he said.

"He was going to move in some time this month. He must have just wanted to come and take a look, see how everything was coming along.

"He must have been right at the top of the stairs. I could sit here and say why, how, what if things had been different, but at the end of the day it doesn't make any difference. I can ask for the rest of my life: why was he on the stairs? It makes no difference whatsoever. He's gone.

"How did it happen? Did he trip? Did his shoe flip off? The result is he's gone."

Describing his brother's personality, Ricky Sousa said: "He was a very well-liked fun character. When you got him going, he would sit there and tell you jokes. He was the centre of the party."

A few minutes before his death, Donnie Sousa had visited the nearby Queen's Club, hoping to meet his father Richard Sousa.

When he did not find him he walked to the new apartment as he continued to wait for his son.

Mother Amanda Sousa, sister Tina Bernius, aunt Pamela Munt, great aunt Holda Smith and cousin Jackie Matcham yesterday paid tribute from the family home in Spanish Point.

Mrs. Munt said: "He always had a joke, a story to tell you, a big grin on his face the whole time. He was a happy soul, even from a little baby.

"He was able to spend Christmas with his mom. He had a nice Christmas and knew everyone loved him. He went through a lot not too long ago with cancer and came out on top. We thought this is great. The family was there for him, he had full support.

"It was just his time — God was ready for him. It's hard, but he's in a peaceful place with God. We all loved him truly. He will be deeply missed, I know that."

Mrs. Bernius, who was a colleague as well as his sister, said: "You can't think about Donnie without having a smile on your face.

"He did everything for me that nobody else would do: made sure there were no rats in the building before I went in; he would do paperwork I had been asking other people to do."

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances but an investigation is ongoing with a view to preparing a file for the Coroner.