The Sentinel

‘DEVASTATED’ WIFE LEADS TRIBUTES TO A ‘LEGENDARY’ BARBER

Customers also share memories of HQ Barbershop owner

- Hayley Parker hayley.parker@reachplc.com

THE grieving wife of a popular barber who died suddenly has spoken of her devastatio­n.

Tributes have been flooding in for Nathan Wilson after news of his death broke over the weekend.

The 46-year-old had run HQ Barbershop, in Longton town centre, for 14 years.

Calling herself ‘Mrs HQ’, his heartbroke­n wife wrote on the Facebook page: “It is with the greatest sadness that I write this. I’m not sure I even have the words.

“My husband Nathan Wilson, ‘The Gaffer’ of HQ, passed away unexpected­ly on November 20. We are all devastated.

“He loved his shop, his lads and all the customers he welcomed through the door who left as friends.”

Nathan, from Newcastle, had opened HQ Barbershop in Market Street in December 2007, during the financial crisis, after first taking up the clippers as a teenager.

The shop – named the highest rated barbershop in Stokeon-trent for 2017 – closed out of respect to the staff before reopening yesterday.

Dozens of bouquets and messages have been left outside.

Mrs HQ’S post adds: “Please be respectful to our fantastic HQ Team as it’s going to be a very hard day for them. Let’s make him proud.”

Sentinel readers have also been leaving their tributes to Nathan, who they described as a ‘true legend’ and a ‘lovely soul’.

Jo Meek said: “Nathan, one of the most beautiful people to grow up with ever. It was so lovely to see that he went to follow his lovely dad’s footsteps as he used to be in his salon as a young boy. Rest in peace Nathan.

“The last time I saw you, you were still being so kind, helping and listening. Thinking of your family. Lovely, lovely soul.”

David Johnson added: “Like many people I’m absolutely gutted, devastated and still in utter shock. A top man with a beautiful soul.

“A good friend who is so well loved by everyone who knew him.

“He always made everyone feel so welcome at HQ, whether they were new customers or old, and he was a first class businessma­n who was an inspiratio­n to many others.

“HQ is highly regarded as a business, and that is a testament to the man that he was. We will all miss him.

“My thoughts are with his wife, his family and all the lads at HQ. Rest easy mate, see you on the other side.”

And Damien Penk said: “I’m lost for words pal. Knowing you for more than 20-odd years and you’ve been nothing but a great mate who would go above and beyond for anyone.

“My little boy always loves coming to your shop, knowing full well you would give him a lollipop if he was a good boy and sat still whilst you, or one of your lads, did his hair. To say I’m gutted is not enough.

“When people say ‘he was a good bloke’, ‘he would do anything for you’ they are 100 per cent right.

“You were one of the best and I will miss you and the conversati­ons we used to have whilst getting my hair cut.

“My heart goes out to your family at this sad time.”

 ?? ?? ‘LOVELY SOUL’: Nathan Wilson at work in HQ Barbers.
‘LOVELY SOUL’: Nathan Wilson at work in HQ Barbers.
 ?? ?? LOVED: Floral tributes outside the barbershop.
LOVED: Floral tributes outside the barbershop.

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