The life of a father of three lost to gun violence is being celebrated by his family, who have vowed to continue his “legacy of compassion”.

Wilfred Outerbridge Jr was “a giving person — that was always his spirit”, his mother, Carla Outerbridge, told The Royal Gazette.

“When he was a teenager and a young adult, he would always make a second lunch to take with him to give to friends on Court Street.

“When I asked him why, he would say ‘That could be me one day.’ That was his practice.

“There was one particular homeless man in town that he would help. He had that heart. I would buy him clothes, and he would give them to his friends, saying ‘They need it more than me’.

“When he had his business, there would be guys that could not find employment, and he would take them on jobs with them and pay them. He had a selfless heart.”

Mr Outerbridge had nicknames including JR, Jay and Fred.

However close friends called him Goodman in recognition of his compassionate character.

His life was cut short in a targeted attack at his home last November when two suspects descended on his home at the Railway Trail in Warwick, west of the junction with Cobbs Hill Road.

Mr Outerbridge’s family said they were baffled by the attack, which leaves behind his three children: Arianna, 16; Jayden, 11, and Journee, 7.

His mother said: “We would like to do different things in the community every so often in his honour.”

The family wishes to continue in his memory under the catchphrase Goodman Gives Back.

Maxine Brown, his former wife, said they opted to celebrate his life by hosting a dinner on February 17 at the Salvation Army, serving a hot meal to guests in need.

Ms Brown said: “Wilfred was not connected to the Salvation Army. It just made sense to us.”

She said more than 200 guests enjoyed a meal while Calvin Simons provided saxophone music.

Ms Brown added: “Wilfred's commitment to helping others, particularly those facing hardship, was deeply ingrained in his character.”

Guests at the tribute were given gift bags including hygiene products and warm clothing.

After the dinner, volunteers distributed leftover food through Hamilton.

Ms Brown said: “We are obviously trying to continue his legacy. It’s very important to keep his name in the community.

“Our emphasis is on his three children and the positive things that he has done.”

Another family member, who preferred not to give her name, said that a gun murder often caused people in the community to jump to the wrong conclusion about how a victim might have conducted themselves.

“We want to hone in on the fact that he was a generous person who had a very big heart and was very selfless.

“We want to put him out there and let Bermuda know that he really was an amazing person.

“This act was not right and has impacted a lot of people. His loved ones have to live a life now knowing he has been taken away.”

Police in the aftermath said that Mr Outerbridge appeared to have been the intended target of his assailants but that the attack was not believed gang-related.

Mr Outerbridge applied his skills as a carpenter to restoration work on several buildings, including on Front Street.

He developed his skills overseas, obtaining an Associate and a Bachelor’s degree from the New England Institute of Technology

His mother said Mr Outerbridge had flourished into “quite the entrepreneur” and was running three businesses.

Along with Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service, Mr Outerbridge imported and sold sneakers, clothes and accessories through two other businesses: The Gallery, and Empire.

Ms Outerbridge said: “I found things when I went through some of his stuff. Even in the cleaning business he would give out coupons as a giveaway. Some of the things he brought in, he didn’t take money for them.

A family statement added: “His visionary outlook and determination to succeed were evident in his continued efforts to advance his business knowledge and skills including a great deal of time spent studying financial markets and attending local events focused on business management.

“Wilfred’s ambitious and driven presence will carry on serving the community through ‘Goodman Gives Back’.

“As we reflect on Wilfred Outerbridge Jr's life and legacy, we are reminded of the power of kindness, generosity, and community.

“If you have any information to assist the police with their investigation into the passing of Wilfred E. Outerbridge Jr, please reach out to Detective Sergeant Odessa Philip at 717-2193 or ophilip@bps.bm, or call Crimestoppers at 800-8477.”