The family of Ezariah “Ezra” Matthie last night described the 21-year-old, affectionately known as “Snakes” and “Ezzy”, as “a gentle and genuine soul, a calm spirit with a strong presence”.

Mr Matthie’s life was claimed in a collision on Monday afternoon, when his motorcycle hit a truck on Ord Road in Paget. It was the second road fatality of the year.

Friends and family joined his mother Lisa Matthie and father Kenneth Mills at the family’s Quarry Hill Road residence in Warwick to pay tribute.

“He had the most infectious smile and laugh, and when he hugged you, you felt his love,” a family statement said. “He put things into perspective and always left people in a better mood than when he arrived.”

A dedicated motocross racer and mechanic who worked at Pompano Beach Club, Mr Matthie had been studying for his engine driving test, hoping to get his tractor trailer licence, and aspiring to become a boat mechanic with Shawn White and family at Bay Imports.

Family members took comfort in their Seventh-day Adventist faith, saying Mr Matthie, who attended the Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church, was “on a journey with God”.

His cousin, Kaje Matthie, said the two had been training for the May 24 race together, and that the family would dedicate this year’s run to his memory. Friends from the Bermuda Motocross Club also plan a tribute.

Mr Matthie grew up in a large and close-knit family, swimming every morning at Horseshoe Bay with his grandmother Barbara Matthie and “always inspiring to his family”, his mother said.

Mr Mills recalled him as someone who “didn’t ever get mad”.

In addition to brothers Kenneth, Tokeio and Nazye Matthie, Eusebio King-Mills and Kushae Hypolite, Mr Matthie leaves behind two sisters, Kenshanté and Ginae Hypolite, as well as his girlfriend Jolanda Raynor, family said.

Their statement added: “The family appreciate all the love and support that has been showered on us at this difficult time, and would like the island to know that Ezra’s death did not break our faith in God, but made us more determined to walk closer with God so we can see Ezzy again, because last night God called his son home.”