The body of Nathan Logue was recovered on Sunday morning following almost a week of searching by volunteers from Foyle Search and Rescue.
The 24-year-old was last seen entering the river from the Craigavon Bridge last Monday.
A daily searches of the Foyle and its embankment took place since then led by FSR volunteers.
Mr Logue, from the Waterside area of the city, was described by twin sister Katie as “kind and generous”.
The former North West Regional College student worked as a baker in Tesco.
She also told of her family’s deep appreciation to the volunteers from Foyle, Search and Rescue.
Ms Logue described the six days since her bother was seen entering the river as “very difficult” but added that her family is grateful they can now lay Nathan to rest.
She said: “Nathan was a much-loved brother to all of us and he will be sorely missed.
“We are just so thankful to have him back home so we can lay him to rest.
“We were the oldest in the family but he was older than me by 10 minutes – something he never let me forget.
“He was everything anyone could have wished for in a brother, he was our other brother Adrian’s best friend.
“He was so funny and also so kind, helpful and generous – he would have given anyone his last penny.
“He had a number of jobs but his favourite was working as a bar tender making cocktails. That suited his personality so well because he was so sociable and loved people and being in the company of people.
“We have a had tough times these past days but from the bottom of our hearts our whole family is so thankful for Foyle, Search and Rescue who have been with us every step of the way.
“The way the people of the Waterside and the whole of Derry – including people who were strangers to us, came out every day and helped us search for Nathan was incredible. Even the local businesses were unbelievably good to us too, supplying us with food and printing out leaflets for distribution.
“We will never be able to thank everyone enough who stood with us during these past difficult days.
“I want them to know their support and kindness really helped us while Nathan was missing and we will never forget what so many people did for us as a family.”
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