MARK RILEYHairdresser Mark Riley died in a crash after losing control of his car on a country lane on 10 May, 2009.Mr Riley, 32, from Barrow upon Soar, worked as a stylist at Lanza Hair Design in Sileby, Leicestershire, having joined the salon when he was 14.Paying tribute to him, his boss, Roger Lanza, said: "Mark loved this job and he was wonderful at it. He was one of the most dedicated people I ever met and he had the capacity to make you laugh even when you were feeling really low."He developed a special bond with the customers and would remember every one by name. We have had customers on the phone to us in tears when they learned what happened."Mr Lanza said Mr Riley met his partner, Stephanie Atkinson, while they were both working in the salon.Mr Lanza was on holiday in Bermuda when he learned of the accident and cut his trip short.He added: "Many people have a lot to thank Mark for. He has been a mentor to many people who worked here and helped them become great hairdressers. He always wanted to see other people do well."Mr Riley was born in Sileby and went to De Lisle School, in Loughborough. He lived with Stephanie and her daughter.Stephanie's mother, Lin, said: "They were together six-and-a-half years. Mark was a wonderful person. He was as good as a father to Leonie."Mr Riley’s sister, Theresa, said: "He was everything you could want in a brother. He gave such a lot and never asked for anything in return. He played a huge part in our family and he has left a hole in our lives."His passion for life was infectious. What Mark taught us was to live life to the full, never regret and always put family first, which he did, 100 per cent."
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