Nathan (24) dies: tributes

Nathan Sturgeon (24), of Cromer Grove, was known by all who knew him for his wicked sense of humour and a determination not to let his Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy hold him back from doing anything.

He died last Friday in the Royal Blackburn Hospital and was even cracking jokes on his deathbed, said his devastated but proud parents Anthony and Tracy.

His enthusiasm and zest for life is sure to shine through at his funeral tomorrow at 10am at St Andrew’s CE Church in Colne Road, at Duke Bar, Burnley, where there is an option to come in fancy dress, whether that be as your favourite superhero or in the colours of your favourite football team.

The Sturgeons have requested family flowers only, and any donations to Francis House, where Nathan was a regular for 12 years. He made many friends at the Didsbury children’s hospice and was popular with staff.

Dad Anthony said: “Nathan absolutely loved it. He got to do anything he wanted. I can’t speak highly enough about that place. He laid a cornerstone alongside Sir Alex Ferguson and met all his Manchester United heroes on trips to the training ground. He went to Disneyland in Florida with the hospice too. Nathan was a great lad. He never let anything get to him and was a perfectly normal teenager.

“He’d go out with friends in town and have friends around for sleepovers. He loved going on holiday as well. We took him to Turkey and Spain. He loved Benidorm.”

Nathan went to Heasandford Primary School and Sir John Thursby Community College and Sixth Form. His creative mind really came out through his artwork, a subject which he loved.

Mum Tracy said: “I remember once he drew a face. I honestly thought he had traced it and he would get in trouble. But he had done it himself. He had such an eye for detail.”

Superhero mad, Nathan had a huge collection of Marvel Comics, and his love of Batman, Spiderman, Superman and the rest extended to the big screen where he relished trips to the cinema with his friends to see a film.

Another passion was his Playstation, and Nathan revelled in competing online and beating able bodied gamers.

Alongside trips to Old Trafford to see Manchester United, Nathan supported his hometown team and enjoyed going to Turf Moor to cheer on the Clarets.

Nathan is survived by his dad Anthony, mum Tracy, and younger siblings Morgan, Oliver, Robyn and Tianna.