An "amazing father, grandfather and brother" died of a traumatic brain injury weeks after he was the victim of an assault in Great Yarmouth.
Nigel Mazs died in Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge on January 4, following an incident in Malakoff Close days before Christmas.
As an inquest into his death opened in Norwich, his family have issued a warm tribute to the 59-year-old.
It reads: "Dad was loved by so many people, he made a positive impact in everyone's life with his infectious laugh.
"He was an amazing father, grandfather and brother.
"Losing him is heartbreaking and we would appreciate our privacy being respected at this traumatic time."
The family also thanked the neuroscience team at the Cambridgeshire hospital for the care he was offered following the assault.
The incident happened on Friday, December 22, and saw Mr Mazs originally admitted to the James Paget in Gorleston with "life-threatening injuries".
He was found with serious injuries in Regent Road in the town, but police now believe he was assaulted inside a communal area of a block of flats in Malakoff Close.
After his original hospital admission, he was later transferred to Addenbrookes, where he died on Thursday, January 4.
During the short hearing at Norfolk Coroner's Court, area coroner Yvonne Blake confirmed that Mr Mazs was born in Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, was not currently in employment and lived in Camden Road, Yarmouth.
A medical cause of his death was given by a pathologist as traumatic brain injuries as a result of an assault.
Martin Montogomery, of Russell Road, Great Yarmouth, was charged with grievous bodily harm with intent on Christmas Day and has been remanded into custody - due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on January 23.
A man in his 20s was also arrested but has been released on bail as investigations continue.
Anybody who may have witnessed the incident should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101 quoting 36/89698/23
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