Much-loved dad and business owner dies after cancer fight
A“FUNNY”, “kind” and “caring” dad has died after a three-year battle with cancer. Chris Lesbirel, a much-loved business owner and dad-of-two, died on Saturday, January 28, following a three-year battle with prostate cancer.
Daughter Michelle Lesbirel said: “He was funny, kind, caring, told silly jokes, was very loyal and he had lots of friends.
“He had a great work ethic, he was a good dad and good grandad. He was good with the family. He was a good Everton fan and was loved by a lot of people.”
The 65-year-old was brought up in Huyton before moving to Southport where he opened the first Shoemaster shop in Southport Market.
He then opened another Shoemaster shop in Bootle before the family venture spread out across Merseyside.
She said: “He had one in Southport, in the market, for 35 years and then opened one in Bootle not long after that.
“There are others across Merseyside that were once all connected to him but now they’re run by different members of the family. I remember working in them when I was just 12 years old. I’ve only ever known him having the shops.”
Despite his battle with cancer, the grandad-of-two “wouldn’t complain” about the pain he would be going through.
Michelle, owner of Vanity Hair Salon in Birkdale, said: “He did a round of chemotherapy and decided not to do it again. He didn’t moan at all, never complained.
“He handled it really well. He had prostate cancer which had spread and was diagnosed three years ago after he found blood in his urine. It was too late by then as it had spread to his bladder. “
Since the news of the death, the 45-year-old daughter said people have flooded in with memories and tributes of her dad. She said: “Everyone’s devastated but everyone has said the same thing, that he didn’t complain.
“He used to tell the same jokes over and over again.”