a thankyou - from lappy's (Sean) family

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Excellent any very emotional post, think something just flew in my eye.

Never got to meet lappy, but he had me in stitches on here loads of times, to say he was quick witted doesn't do him justice. He is a huge miss on this messageboard, people like lappy don't come round too often.

Found myself thinking about him quite abit when his posts stopped, was just hoping he was well enough to see us win a few games. It all seemed to happen so fast, but the manner in which he accepted his illness was inspiring and admirable. It is good to know that the generosity shown on here brought comfort to you and those close to sean, it kind of restores your faith in human spirit when so much shite is going on around us. And dont get lappy started on what is going on in the world! :-D

RIP Lappy, keep the red flag flying high.

excellently put joe.

rip lappy.
 
something in my eye now too, especially after watching the vid (well done Paris, it really is excellent).

RIP Sean
 
just browsing through the users there and saw his little offline logo image. its sad to think it will be like that forever now.


such a shame.
 
Those pesky flies, one just flew into my eye too.

They get everywhere.

There are few times when I have genuinely fallen off my chair with laughter while reading this board but the night of the cyber brawl on Jesmond High Street with MBH was truly a golden night.

RIP Bonny Lad and best wishes to all the family & friends.
 
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I received this from Sean's sister susan the other day (I've been away so couldnt post it earlier). It's from Sean's Funeral service. Gives an insight into Sean. I'll have to split it into 2 posts as its too long for one post on the Board (10k character limit):

We are all blessed when we die in the knowledge of God, and we rest a while from our labours and all of our good works will follow us, and though we must all walk through the valley of the shadow of death we need fear no evil for God is with us, and we should rest assured that we are never alone.

We spend our lives as a tale that is told so soon the years pass and we are gone, but it is what we do in-between that matters. If we live our lives as honest and good people, then when it is our turn to die then we will take our rightful place in the kingdom of God.



Lords Prayer.



If I was to say that Sean Hewitson was a real character, it would not be an understatement. He was a man who lived his life his own way. A man of strong social principles, he was never afraid to speak his mind – and he frequently did. He had many interests in life as we shall hear, he was a very intelligent man, who could hold a conversation with the best, whether it was about local politics, or even at Government level, he most definitely had a point of view.

Sean was born near Durham on 29th September 1954, to Ena and Jack. He is the second oldest of six, Jacqueline, then Sean was next, followed by Richard, Susan, Janette and finally Lisa. His mother said he was a very good baby, not much bother at all.

His schooling ended at Chester-le Street Grammar, where he was an excellent pupil. He liked sport, in particular Cricket and he was very good playing for the school, and going on to play at club level for KibblesworthVillage. Another great love of his life was his beloved Sunderland football club, from childhood until the day he died he was an avid supporter. On his fifth birthday his mam bought him a Sunderland scarf, and it was his pride and joy, old it may have been, faded and full of holes, but loved and cherished it certainly was, and today Sean takes it with him as he makes his final journey. Sean went to many home matches in the company of his dear friend George, also a passionate Sunderland supporter. Amongst all his friends Sean was know as a world authority on Sunderland, even setting up a website. Because of his opinionated way, he was never afraid to let the club know when they had done something wrong, but was just as eager to get in touch to congratulate them on any win or a right move in the boardroom. On more recent events at the club, everyone knew how much he liked Nial Quinn, but true to his character, Sean said he would hold judgement on the appointment of Roy Keane as the new manager.

Sean went to work at the DSS in Longbenton when he left school and stayed there for a while, then went on to go to NorthumbriaUniversity to gain a Bachelor’s Degree in Government and Public Policy. His dissertation was on the old land marks around inner cities, and argued against them all being destroyed in the name of progress. He later gained a Masters degree in Softwear Engineering and secured a place with SAGE as a programmer.

However, Sean’s greatest passion by far was his love of music and this is encapsulated in the response he gave to a doctor who enquired about his profession: Sean replied, “My occupation is as a soft wear engineer, but I am a musician”. Sean was a self-taught musician and played many different instruments. He was also a prolific writer of lyrics, which he would then put to music. He compiled three CD collections of him singing and playing his own work. I would like to read one of his songs now, the words are beautiful, in fact his family are going to put his lyrics together into an Anthology, and if anyone would like to see or have a copy when it is ready they may get in touch with the family.


The Man who came last.


Dammed is the soul of the man who came last
Who stole from his future. To pay for his past
Who waited and watched while the choices were sane
Only to grasp at the last that remained.
Who witnessed the worst of the man who came first
Who made the mistake from which knowledge was nursed
But the taste of temptation remains as a curse.
On the soul of the man who came last.

I feel those words have a message for us all. As this verse shows, Sean thought very deeply about the words he put on paper. Sean defined himself as a musician, and if the brief glimpse we have had is anything to go by, I fully agree, Sean you were without question a very talented man.

Sean’s niece Nina and her friends are now going to sing for us and they are going to sing “Bonny at Morn”.

From being in his teens, Sean played lead guitar in bands including Breathing Space and English Disease. His bands played at gigs throughout the North East and even at The Round House in London, where both one his sisters, and his devoted friend Ray had the pleasure of watching him.

Sean was a very strong willed man, as you all know, but he was a very fair man, and if you had him as a friend, you had a good one, but more importantly an honest one. Ray is now going to speak about his friend.
 
Ray

Sean as many of you know was a staunch socialist, and would always come down on the side of the under dog. Politics was another passion of Sean’s, and he had a particularly strong cause against social injustice. He admired Tony Benn very much, whilst not having the same feeling for Margaret Thatcher, but the less said about that the better.

One of Sean’s other claims to fame was his Cameo appearance in that great Northern Bible know as the Viz. He was very good friends with the creators of VIZ and proudly displayed his personal invitation to the magazine’s 10th anniversary celebration on his bedroom wall. Like the VIZ Sean enjoyed other satirical programmes, such as SouthPark, and the Simpson’s.

When, three months ago Sean was diagnosed with lung cancer, he neither asked for, nor wanted sympathy, saying his illness was no-ones fault. He was very philosophical about his cancer, and fought a characteristically hard fight against it, with courage and dignity.

Sean has always been very independent, and as his illness progressed, he found it increasingly hard to see some of his family and friends, not wanting them to see him in the later stages of his illness. And I know there are people here today who wanted to see him, but he delined to see. Please be assured that this was not for any other reason than that he wanted to lessen the distress to all of those who loved and cared about him. Sean was very proud of all his nephews and nieces who did visit Sean at first. Relatives from as far away as Ireland and London, were also asked not to visit but Sean was grateful for all the kind wishes and thoughts everyone sent to him.

Sean’s nephew, Stuart would now like to read a poem found in Sean’s dad’s wallet which Sean kept in a drawer at home.

As Sean’s illness worsened he was admitted first to Freeman Hospital, and then to St Oswald’s hospice, where his care has been exemplary, the staff were wonderful to him, and his family would like to thank them all for the kindness and dedication they showered on Sean All the family would also like to say a special thank you to his sister Jacqueline who took three months compassionate leave from work to help with Sean’s care. Though extremely difficult, these last three months with Sean will be truly valued by all his family.

During his stay in St Oswald’s, he still managed to listen to Sunderland, on the radio, and during one match, even though he appeared to be asleep, when his beloved team scored two goals he raised his arm, and did his best to punch the air.

Sean had his 52nd birthday the day before he died, and when wished Happy Birthday he replied “…and so say all of us…”. Sean passed peacefully away, surrounded in the knowledge of the love of those who loved him and who he loved back. He will be remembered for his strength and courage, but perhaps his lasting legacy is his songs, he takes his leave of this world, but he leaves this world with something very special.

His niece and her friends are now going to sing a final song for us
“How can I keep from singing”

Sean we have celebrated your life, and we have thanked you for all you have given us, we will forever miss your physical presence, but to those who loved you most, you are but a thought away.


Let us pray


Father we give thanks for the life of Sean, we wish him a safe journey to your garden where the beauty is wondrous.


In your house father there is neither pain, nor thirst, nor greed nor hunger, just love in its purest form.


We are grateful for the memories that live on.


We ask for compassion to be shown to his family


Amen



Sean


This part of your journey is ended


Your spirit is free from its shell


Yet your love and our is still blended


In spite of the pain of this farewell


Somewhere there is life eternal


Somewhere there is a home above


There is no night without a dawning


Beyond this death is God and Love.



Amen



We now give back to Mother Nature what she loaned to us.


And with the tree’s as silent watchers


And the birds as flying sentinels.


We commit his body to be cremated


Earth to Earth


Ashes to Ashes


&


Dust to Dust.
 
During his stay in St Oswald’s, he still managed to listen to Sunderland, on the radio, and during one match, even though he appeared to be asleep, when his beloved team scored two goals he raised his arm, and did his best to punch the air.

:cool:
 
Absolute quality MBH.

Does anyone know of the website stated above ?

During his stay in St Oswald’s, he still managed to listen to Sunderland, on the radio, and during one match, even though he appeared to be asleep, when his beloved team scored two goals he raised his arm, and did his best to punch the air.

:cool:

Class eh ! Laughed at that bit anarl !
 
From myself and on behalf of Sean's family I would like to say a truly heartfelt thanks for all your posts and donations following the death of my brother Sean. I am Sean's youngest sister and was sorry to miss 'my boy Harry' at the wake following the funeral but can I just take a moment to to thank you for coming. It meant so much to us all and our mam for you to come - especially after reading what such adversery's you were - but take it as a compliment that sean would argue with you for so long - obviously a worthy opponent.

Sean was a true SAFC fan and had followed the team since childhood, he took his first scarf with him last week which he had had since he was 5yrs old. He was, as you may have gathered, opinionated(!), headstrong and no-nonsense and as you rightly pointed out didnt-do flowers. However he was sentimental, and if he could see the words and donations on his behalf he would be truly thankful and touched, as well as having a few choice replies at the ready! I will miss Sean dearly, as will the rest of his family and his mates, many of whom have been with him since childhood.

It has actually been comforting to see how many hits his piece on this website has had, and the donations to the macmillan fund from all of you has just blown us away, we really cant thank you all enough. What a fantastic internet community this is.
:) :)
Lisa, sorry I missed you at the wake. I didnt have too long to stay as I had some work commitments to attend to but it was nice to meet Susan and George.

Sean and I had a fair few battles on here (now legend) but the fact that I and so many others have taken the time and trouble to express our condolances perhaps tells you that deep down there must obviously have been a lot of respect for your brother.

Mind he was a real awkward bugger at times. ;)

Take care.
 
During his stay in St Oswald’s, he still managed to listen to Sunderland, on the radio, and during one match, even though he appeared to be asleep, when his beloved team scored two goals he raised his arm, and did his best to punch the air.

Got a big lump in my throat reading the transcript of Lappy's funeral service posted by MBH.
Someone must be peeling invisible onions nearby as my eyes suddenly started watering, particularly when reading the part I've highlighted. ;)
Thanks for the post MBH, you've excelled again marra. :cool:
 
On his fifth birthday his mam bought him a Sunderland scarf, and it was his pride and joy, old it may have been, faded and full of holes, but loved and cherished it certainly was, and today Sean takes it with him as he makes his final journey.

Nice touch.
 
It's very sad that you tend to learn far more about people, what makes them tick, how they think etc after they have died. Very moving eulogies from the service and I feel grateful and humbled that a man of immense talents (discovered by me after his death, as I say,) made such a huge contribution to these boards. For some odd reason, he occasionally agreed with my views too - or maybe not - his sense of humour might have been manifesting itself through yet another of his intellectual whooshes.:oops: RIP.
 
During his stay in St Oswald’s, he still managed to listen to Sunderland, on the radio, and during one match, even though he appeared to be asleep, when his beloved team scored two goals he raised his arm, and did his best to punch the air.

Got a big lump in my throat reading the transcript of Lappy's funeral service posted by MBH.
Someone must be peeling invisible onions nearby as my eyes suddenly started watering, particularly when reading the part I've highlighted. ;)
Thanks for the post MBH, you've excelled again marra. :cool:

Know what you mean......
 
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