Birmingham soldier Mark Quinsey funeral: Sister brands killers cowards
They said: "Mark was right at the very heart of our family and we thought he'd be there forever.
"It is so hard for us to understand why this happened to him.
"Mark loved life. He was fun, popular and had a brilliant sense of humour, attracting a large circle of friends who he was very close to.
"He was looking forward to going to Afghanistan - he wanted to prove what he was made of.
"He has been cheated of the opportunity to serve his country, which is what he so desperately wanted to do."
Lt Col Lewis added: "Today is primarily about the Quinsey family saying farewell to Mark.
"It is also a day on which the wider regimental and military family can share with pride some of the zest, energy and fun he brought to the lives of his friends and colleagues.
"The regiment and I are devastated to have lost such a fine and promising soldier."
The congregation was told of the soldier's love of fixing things and that he had always been destined to be a craftsman.
He was a keen angler and was described as Birmingham's answer to Steve Irwin because of his fascination with reptiles and nature.
Inside the church, Lt Col Lewis read out tributes from Sapper Quinsey's comrades, who described how the popular soldier would tell jokes in a "thick Brummie accent", had a great sense of humour and loved partying.
Sapper Quinsey, along with Sapper Azimkar, also of 25 Field Squadron, 38 Engineer Regiment, were killed as they took delivery of pizzas in front of the main gates of their barracks.
They were wearing desert fatigues ahead of leaving for Afghanistan on operations.
Another two soldiers and two pizza delivery men were injured in the attack. The Real IRA has claimed responsibility.
The funeral of Sapper Azimkar, 21, from Wood Green, north London, is due to take place on Friday.
