Tragic Leon was ‘always there’

THE distraught family of a Shaw father-of-two who died after coming off his motorbike have paid tribute to a “selfless and giving person”.

An inquest at Huddersfield Coroner’s Court recorded a verdict of accidental death after hearing how Leon Shirreff (41) lost control of his Honda Hornet and hit a telegraph pole in Newhey Road, Scammonden on April 17.

The court was told how Leon Rigby, who Mr Shirreff was riding with, had attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions following the accident.

He leaves behind Wendy McDermott, his partner of 17 years, and daughters Lisa and Kelly.

Mr Shirreff’s older sister Karen said: “Leon was the most selfless and giving person. He would give you anything, especially his time. There was nothing about him that you could say was bad. He sounds too good to be true but that’s the way he was. He was always there for us.

“He has left a very big space even though he was quiet. He had his own place near the windowsill at the Star Inn, Rochdale Road, and his friends won’t let anyone else stand there now.”

Mr Shirreff ran Pipe Masters in Shaw with business partner John Hazeltine.

Karen added: “He always liked to give young people a chance and employed and trained loads of local lads at his business. At the funeral, they all told me he was the best boss they’ve ever had.”

Dad Lyndon said: “He never cut corners and was safety conscious in everything he did. He used to say to me and his mum ‘if you ever hear about any motorbike accident, don’t worry because it won’t be me.’”