By Shelley Cook:

Shortly after Lee's accident on November 9th 2008, over 3000 people joined his Remembrance Facebook Group. They filled it with the most poignant, funny, or touching words we've ever seen, so it is very difficult to write only a short section here about Lee's life. So, we are basing this section on the words that we read for Lee in the church at his Celebration of Life.

Nothing can exactly capture what was so special about him or why we all feel he belonged to each and every one of us. Lee didn't conform to any label in any aspect of his life. He was so much more than just a friend, more than just a dance teacher, to everyone. Lee lived life in bright, vibrant colour. All of us that loved him will always cherish the opportunities and the memories that he gave to us.

Lee was so modest that I expect some of you might not know the extent of his success, which was driven by his remarkable, unforgettably warm personality. He had taught and performed in virtually every country in Western Europe. The weekend of the accident, a minute's silence was held at salsa events all over the world, including Poland, Germany and Australia. People are still emailing me to say they have a candle for him, or a photo at home, some of whom may have met him only a few times. Such was his immediate effect on people.

In fact, Lee has taught us something very important. We used to have heated discussions about the fact that I was trying to encourage him to use one of his many talents, in languages or dance, and work towards a qualification, perhaps to do a degree. But it turns out that Lee was right in the end, to pour all his energy into his dancing and teaching and simply taking more time for friends. Because one of the many things he has shown us is its true what they say, that "people may not remember exactly what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel".

One day, we wanted to open our own dance studio. In fact, Lee had just written his business plan for it. We were going to call it Synergy Dance Company. The dictionary definition of synergy is: "The interaction of two forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects". However, all of us that met him, experienced this first hand around Lee. Quite simply, in his company, he made you feel bigger than yourself and as if you could do anything.

To lose so much in one person is tragic beyond comprehension. Lee's wonderful attributes on the dancefloor as a performer, teacher and entertainer have been stated over and over again but none of them can capture the true magic that he brought to us all in that way. But off of the dancefloor, he was a real and true friend to myself and many others here and we were privileged to know his more private side. I can assure you it was equally as enchanting.

Lee was a person of contrasts.
Academically, he was an absolute genius with an offer from Cambridge University, but he loved to spend hours watching The Simpsons on TV, stretching in the splits or sticking endless sequins onto our costumes.

He was on his way to speaking at least 6 languages, but his smile and dimples spoke a thousand words.

He was a fantastic piano player, but sang the most hilariously bad karaoke

He was a world class dancer in great demand but he always found time to speak to every student in a lesson and remember their name.

He went to great lengths to look good, having perfected the art of fake tanning without a single streak, and then proceeded to make us all take shaky face ugly photos together in the least flattering fancy dress costumes.

He was a natural onstage, but was nervous to the point of being ill minutes before and after most of our shows.

He would drive for 3 hours or even fly every week to rehearsals with his other dance groups and I, but then we would end up spending the whole afternoon chatting in the park.

He would dance, sing and entertain at the airport until we'd said goodbye to everyone, and then was asleep exhausted on my shoulder within minutes.

He was spontaneous and patient at the same time.

He loved chocolate and cherry coke but still had perfectly white teeth.

Through all these contrasts, one thing always remained the same. Lee's presence in a person's life gave them the confidence and the drive to live a full and positive life. That is the gift he gave to all of us, and now we have to try and do it for ourselves. With no "what ifs", and no "if onlys". Lee could not understand people who were unhappy with their situation but not working to change it. He really thought that anything was possible and he did it; as many people have said, living more in his 24 years than most people would in a lifetime. Its almost like he knew this, as he always said he would not make it past 30. I am so thankful for the fact that he had really grown into himself and had said over and over again recently that he was happier than ever and truly content in life.

Thank you Lee, you will inspire us in our dancing and our lives forever.
All my love,
Shelley