Tributes have been paid to Rich Bannister, the commercial director of digital agency Degree 53, who has died at the age of 30 from cancer.
Bannister, who prided himself on never having had a day off sick, was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus five months ago and died at St Ann鈥檚 Hospice in Manchester on Sunday morning surrounded by his family.聽On Friday he married his girlfriend Gemma.
A memorial service is being held on Monday September 18 at St Ann鈥檚 Church, in St Ann鈥檚 Square, Manchester, at 11am. Everyone is welcome.
Degree 53, which now employs 75 people, broke the news of his death in a tweet.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend & colleague . Our thoughts are with his family & friends.
鈥� Degree 53 (@Degree53)
Degree 53鈥檚 managing director Andrew Daniels led the tributes to Bannister, who he鈥檇 been friends with before recruiting him.
Speaking this morning, he told 老九品茶Cloud: 鈥淚 used to joke with Rich that he was one of those annoying people who was good at everything and everybody liked but it was true.
鈥淩ich changed everything in sales and marketing. He was naturally confident in any surroundings. I saw him as recently as Friday and he was still cracking jokes.鈥�
Bannister had previously worked for Manchester鈥檚 Tecmark and had also been a personal trainer.
Daniels said until he was diagnosed with cancer he鈥檇 never had a day off sick in his life and was very proud of his record.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a cliche that the good die young, but it really is true of him,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he office won鈥檛 be the same again.鈥�
Among the tributes on Twitter, Paul Cawley said: 鈥淩eally heartbreaking news. A genuinely lovely guy.鈥�
Really heartbreaking news. A genuinely lovely guy. Thoughts, best wishes & condolences to all his family, friends & colleagues.
鈥� Paul Cawley (@PaulDCawley)
Huddled News posted: 鈥淲e had the pleasure of shooting a video with Rich once and he was extremely warm and friendly – a true gent.鈥�
So very sorry for your loss. We had the pleasure of shooting a video with Rich once and he was extremely warm and friendly – a true gent!
鈥� Huddled News (@huddlednews)