A public memorial service for Colin Evans, who was found dead in a flat in Broomfield Road last week, is to be held at Chelmsford Cathedral.
Visitors and volunteers at the Sanctus charity will gather at the place of worship at 10.30am on October 20 for a public service.
Colin, 39, was discovered in the flats provided by homeless charity Sanctus where he lived above its café, and where flowers now decorate its façade in tribute to a man who has been described as being "like marmite".
On Saturday (October 3), Sanctus cafe cook Caroline Benyounes, and her family and friends drank in the Star & Garter pub in Moulsham Street to mark what would have been Colin's 40th birthday.
"He was coming along with my family, my dad, my step-mum, they all loved him to pieces," she said.
"He was a pain in my backside at times but he was a lovely man, a really lovely man.
"He had my backing all the time."
Colin, originally from the East End, but formerly of St James Road in Braintree, had more than 80 convictions for threatening behaviour, burglary, criminal damage and cannabis possession offences.
He was also handed a five-year ASBO after 'mooning' Chelmsford County Court security guards in 2010, which barred him from visiting Vanguard Way, Trafalgar Road, Fairfield Road and the Jobcentre Plus in Braintree.
Yet friends have been quick to stress how impressive his turnaround was following a life littered with spells living on the streets.
He first visited Sanctus for free hot meals in December 2011 and moved into the charity's accommodation last October.
Up until his death, he was helping serve teas, running errands, mopping floors and helped redecorate the café.
He was also buying collectables from antique shops in a bid to set up his own business enterprise at car boot sales.
"They were stupid run-ins with the law," said Caroline of Colin's criminal history.
"It was mainly shoplifting but he hadn't been arrested for years. His ASBO was the last thing and that was due to come off next year."
"If I was sleeping on the streets I think I would be arrested."
Colin was always spotted with his seven-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, Sweep, whom friend Robert Brown is looking after. "Even when he was homeless, sleeping on the street, he would make sure that dog was fed first, before anything went to him," said Caroline.
Chris Roberts, 53, who has lived in Sanctus accommodation in Queensland Crescent in Melbourne since returning from a 20-year spell working in Spain five months ago, said: "He was a funny character."
"All the time he was mucking about, laughing and joking. I can't say anything bad about him."
Jose Correia Agrela, 29, of no fixed address, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 6 charged with the murder of Colin Evans.
He was remanded in custody to re-appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on December 1.
