TRIBUTES have been paid to Michael Lewis, who was killed while on his first holiday with friends in Tenerife.

A carpentry apprentice living in London, Michael, 23 of Rhyl, died on Thursday, August 22 at the University Hospital Nuestra Senora de La Candelaria in Santa Cruz after being attacked in a street.

An only child, Michael Was born at Glan Clwyd Hospital on June 25 1996 to Julie Lewis of Rhyl and Irish father Patrick Boland of London, and was well known in both the Irish and Welsh communities in his parent’s hometowns.

Michael’s aunt, Karen Hughes, said: “Growing up here, he was always Michael, but as he got older and spent more time with his father he became a big part of the Irish community where he was known as Liam Boland, which was his Irish name.

“He was also known as Brillo in London, because he had his mother’s hair which is thick and curly, which we thought was very amusing.

Rhyl Journal:

Michael as a child with his Rhyl family including mum Julie, left, cousins Lydia and Frances and their mother Karen Hughes

“We’ve picked green flowers for the funeral for Liam and red flowers for Michael to include his Welsh and Irish friends.

“Whether it was at the Bodfor in Rhyl or his local in London The Boston Arms, everyone knew him. Since he died we have had so many messages and cards from people of different ages - I recently found out my colleague’s son, who is four years younger than him was friends with him. He’d mix with anybody.

“It’s been quite overwhelming, every time his mum Julie bumps into someone they want to pay their sympathies so it’s been quite hard for her.”

A former pupil of Ysgol Emmanuel and Rhyl High, Michael kept the same group of childhood friends into adulthood and remained close with his best friend Fiona Bateman.

Rhyl Journal:

Michael with best friend Fiona Bateman

An avid gamer and Manchester United fan, Michael was also a fan of acoustic music and his favourite song was Stolen Dance by Milky Chance.

Described as having many homes, Michael was always over at a friend’s house or staying at a second bedroom at his grandmother Gwenda Lewis’ house, where they used to enjoy watching Emmerdale together over a cup of tea.

Although part of a tight knit group of friends in his school year’s, Mrs Hughes notes he was reluctant to get out of bed in the morning until he reached Coleg Llandrillo, where he discovered his passion for joinery.

Mrs Hughes said: “He was a typical teenager, but when he got to college he was the only person on his course to finish.

“He decided to moved to London two years ago to try and find an apprenticeship, and ended up getting agency work. He managed to get some agency shifts with Brown & Carroll, who we so impressed by his work ethic and how driven he was that they bought out his contract with the agency and took him on as an apprentice carpenter.

“We’re all so proud of that.”

Two men are still being held in custody by the island’s authorities in connection with the attack on Tuesday 20, and are understood by the family to be food vendors in the area. Michael is still waiting to be repatriated, but the consulate have told the family that his body will be returned to Rhyl in time for the funeral.

Michael’s funeral will take place at St Thomas’ Church, on Russell Road, on Friday, September 20 at 11am. A service will follow at the St Asaph Crematorium at 12.30, and the wake will be at Michael’s former Rhyl local The Bodfor. All are welcome.

The family of Michael, an organ donor, are accepting donations for donorfamilynetwork.co.uk and are welcoming mourners wearing a combination of red, white, green and black.