It’s incredibly hard to sit down and sum up someones life in a few words. And for Doug a friend of mine and my fellows from Leeds i think we are all struggling to come to terms with what happened to him. Such a loving and kind person, rest in peace.

I have felt over the past few days very confused about paying tribute to people over the internet. I previously have thought about how many people grieve and show respect over facebook and felt quite negatively about it. However i find myself compelled to write something. To show my respect, not only to him and myself but also to my friends, who are all really going through it.

I didnt know Doug quite as well as maybe i should have done, my memories are generally a drunken haze or a hello and chat in college. What sticks so vividly in my mind of him was his smile. Not just slapped on with a brave mask, but one that emanated from deep down inside himself. I dont think i ever saw him without that genuine beaming smile. He truly was an incredibly kind and thoughtful person, and i think this is what i will remember. It was apparent in him through everything he did, He used to talk a lot, but everything was genuine interest in the people around him. [He was a talented photographer ](http://www.douglastonkin.co.uk/)and in all his pictures you can see the curiosity and love in the stories of his subjects, his friends. i think especially the last photo i posted before this post shows what was going through their minds whilst talking to Doug (including my own).

There has been a lot of words about him over the past few days on facebook and in pubs and it has warmed me to see how many people he affected and how many people loved him.

Its horrible that this sort of thing could happen to someone so loving, interesting, kind, creative, funny, weird and innocent, but that is the nature of this life. my thoughts go out to everyone mentioned above. Particularly his family and his closest friends. I really hope they are coping ok. will miss you dude.

I will finish with something one of his close friends who i also have the pleasure of knowing wrote. It sums up perfectly how i feel and what i would hope everyone grieving can take joy from;

“My friends make me the person I am. Im nothing with out them. Even when time separates us and distance divides us. If we lose contact thru circumstance or disagreement, all the people I have called friends , the people that inspire me, and motivate me. The people that mean enough to me to make me laugh and make me cry. To the people who with I can comfortably sit and share silence or chat shit with for hours The people I confide in and share with my secrets and inner feelings.

You make me who I am. I love you all because with out you I wouldn’t be able to love and I wouldn’t be able to live.

My friend doug was the most honest, content, exiting, unusual, funny brilliant person I have ever met. He was truly one of a kind. He will live forever in every person he met. I will always love him. rest in peace my friend”