TRIBUTES are pouring in for former Exmouth Grammar School pupil Mark Lee, who died suddenly last week. Described by friends as a lovely man with a big heart , Mark, 59, died from serious brain injuries following an accident. An internet tribute page set

TRIBUTES are pouring in for former Exmouth Grammar School pupil Mark Lee, who died suddenly last week.

Described by friends as a 'lovely man with a big heart', Mark, 59, died from serious brain injuries following an accident.

An internet tribute page set up on social networking site Facebook has been flooded with tributes from those touched by Mark's sense of humour and zest for life.

Luke King said: "Thank you for the good times. A life time of witty banter ahead and you had to leave suddenly! I am truly sorry you are gone, but I am certain you will be remembered."

Clive Bishop said: "Such a sad and tragic loss to everyone who knew him."

Mark's family moved to Exmouth in 1964 when his father, Leo, took up a post at Rolle College. Mark joined the fourth year at Exmouth Grammar School, and was immediately identified as sounding 'like the Beatles', as he had a slight northern accent, which stood out amid the Devon voices. He played rugby in winter and took part in athletics events through the summer.

His sister, Barbara Mason, of St Sevan Way, said: "He had a robust sense of humour, which didn't always go down well with teachers, especially when he collaborated with friends to paint the school roof with a slogan relating to the headteacher."

When Mark left school in 1968, he trained as a teacher. Later, he and his wife Gina, and their two daughters, settled on the Isle of Wight, where Mark was headteacher of a primary school. He took early retirement in 2008.

l Leave a tribute at www. exmouthjournal.co.uk