Pals pay tribute to tragic ‘one in million’ teenager
TRIBUTES have flooded in for a ‘one in a million’ teenager who was found dead just hours after he went missing.
Cian Proctor, 18, from Rishton, went missing on Tuesday, January 8, with family and friends issuing desperate appeals on social media to help find him.
The former Norden High School pupil was tragically found dead in the early hours of Wednesday, January 9.
Hundreds of people have gathered for vigils at The Roebuck pub in Rishton and The Shakespeare Hotel in Padiham in recent days to pay tribute to the ‘smiley and enthusiastic’ teenager who dreamed of becoming a personal trainer.
His devastated father Andy Proctor said: “It was a big shock to us. All his life he has been the smiley one. He was always very polite and enthusiastic.
“He loved weight lifting and body building, loved his music and was just an all-round great person.
“He always had a hobby and an interest in something. He was an absolutely pleasure.”
Andy, 42, who works in printing, said they have been ‘overwhelmed’ by the community response and said Cian will ‘get a great send-off’ at his funeral.
Cian’s mum Vicky Proctor said his death has left ‘such a huge hole in our lives’.
In a tribute on Facebook, she said: “I cannot put into words how very proud I am of you. You are my baby.
“You were the last to be born and the smallest of you all. From day one I loved you with all my heart.
“You always give 100 per cent in everything you do. Your willpower is phenomenal, and please could you give me some right now.
“I thought I had felt every pain possible, but now I know I haven’t.
“You are such a loved person, and I only wish you could have loved yourself the way everyone else does.”
Cian, who previously worked at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel bar in Clayton-leMoors, had recently completed a joiner course at Blackburn College and also worked at The Shakespeare Hotel.
Pub bosses posted on Facebook: “This kid was one in a million, a true gentleman, he had a smile that could light up the room whenever he walked in. Never a bad word to say. He had a heart of gold.”
Cian’s girlfriend Paige Nicholson also paid tribute to him, by posting a photograph of the pair with the caption: “My favourite person and the love of my life.”
Cian leaves his parents Vicky and Andy, siblings Colby, Kav and twin sister Darrean, and girlfriend Paige.
A funeral service will be held at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Rishton at 1pm on Tuesday, January 22, followed by a service at Accrington Crematorium and a celebration of his life at The Shakespeare Hotel in Padiham.
The pub will host a pool tournament in memory of Cian at 11am on Sunday, January 20.
Four fundraiser football matches have also been organised at Fennyfold Playing Fields on St John’s Road, Padiham, from 12noon on Saturday, January 19.
To donate towards Cian’s funeral costs visit www. gofundme.com/cian-proctor039s-funeral.