A verdict of suicide has been recorded at the resumed inquest into the death of a former Heron and Brearley boss.

Evidence showed Eddie Ardern had become stressed after buying a house which had no heating and was riddled with damp.

Coroner Michael Moyle also heard he had been having suicidal thoughts, notably when walking around the headland at Groudle the weekend before his death.

Mr Ardern's body was found at the bottom of cliffs near Groudle beach on the evening of February 12.

When the inquest opened last month it heard he died from multiple injuries, including massive blunt force trauma to the head and thorax.

A pathologist said in his report Mr Ardern must have fallen from a great height to have sustained such injuries.

At today's hearing the inquest heard he had moved in with his partner on the day of his death having been advised to do so by staff in the Mental Health Service, who didn't think he should be alone.

As well as worries over his house, Mr Ardern needed an operation to correct a vision problem, for which he faced a two year wait.

Mr Ardern's children sent an email to Mr Moyle, describing their father as "never happier than when playing golf".

They said he would be "deeply, profoundly and immensely missed".

Recording the suicide verdict, Mr Moyle urged Mr Ardern's family to remember him in better times.