THE tight-knit neighborhood of Newcastle has been left reeling in shock on the sudden passing of eight-year outdated Will Leeson.
ailing was the son of Andrew and Julie, and the brother of his older sister Emily. He handed away unexpectedly on Friday morning.
Heartbroken mourners gathered in massive numbers for Will’s funeral which occurred on Monday at Newcastle Parish Church. A guard of honour was shaped on the entrance to the church, that includes Will’s classmates at St Francis Nationwide College, group mates from Newcastle GAA Membership and college students from East Glendalough College, which his sister Emily attends.
Revd. Ross Kinds presided over the service and spoke of the love shared by so many for Will.
He mentioned: “Will was a a lot beloved member of this neighborhood, whose life touched so many. I’ve heard it mentioned over the previous few days {that a} darkish cloud is hanging over this neighborhood and that is true. There was an outpouring of grief and unhappiness.
“We have to help one another and it was so heartening to see how many individuals gathered for a candlelight vigil for Will as we have to help one another and Will’s household.
“We’re all shocked and damaged hearted. The lack of such a younger life poses so many inquiries to which I personally should not have the solutions.
“But within the darkness of our grief and unhappiness, I do know one factor, that there’s a vivid mild that shines, a vivid mild that can’t be extinguished, irrespective of how darkish issues could also be. The intense mild of Will’s love for his household, the intense mild of their love for him, and the intense mild of God’s love for all of them.
“It’s with loving recollections and nice unhappiness that we bear in mind Will this morning. We maintain him, his mother and father Andrew and Julie, his large sister Emily, and all of his household and buddies in our hearts and in our prayers.”
Will adored his pet canines, guinea pigs and chickens, and located pleasure in nearly any animal. He was very near his grandparents Brendan and Mary, who equipped him with unconditional love and infinite treats. He discovered being unable to hug his grandparents throughout lockdown extraordinarily tough.
Revd. Ross added: “College, GAA and all the opposite locations the place he met different youngsters and adults have been nearly at all times loved to the complete although. Will liked any sort phrase, reward sticker, or a smile and was surrounded by academics, coaches and household who displayed immense persistence and gave him optimistic reinforcement and love. His mother and father discovered the college and GAA went above and past to each educate him however extra importantly to make his time there pleasant.”
On Saturday evening, members of the neighborhood gathered for a candlelit vigil honouring Will’s reminiscence.
A whole lot attended the vigil, together with buddies, college mates and members of Newcastle GAA Membership. Prayers have been mentioned round a desk that includes an image of Will, adorned with candles and a Newcastle GAA jersey.
Newcastle GAA Membership paid its personal tribute to Will, who had solely been coaching with the membership as just lately as Tuesday. Counselling providers can be found inside the membership for anybody who wants help at this extraordinarily tough time.
Will was a member of the Below-9 aspect. When the membership began its nursery, Will, who was 4 on the time, was one of many first to hitch, together with a few of his fellow St Francis pupils.
The assertion launched by Newcastle GAA Membership remembered Will as a “pretty and entertaining character” who was adored by all his team-mates.
“Whereas at coaching you might discover Will holding courtroom with three or 4 children explaining to them in regards to the pure habitat of a fly that simply landed on the bottom then 30 seconds later he could be operating in direction of objectives with one ball in every hand about to try to kick each on the similar time.
“It was Will’s way of living that not solely endeared him to his teammates but in addition to those that coached him over the previous few years.
“In Will we noticed the interior little one in ourselves that all of us need to be typically, joyful care free and simply operating round a subject with buddies having amusing.
“We’re heartbroken at his loss and he might be massively missed by all of us on the membership.”
Will is remembered with unending love by his heartbroken mother and father Andrew and Julie (née Energy), large sister Emily, grandparents Brendan and Mary (née Drew), aunts and uncles Jack, Jean, Lorna, Jamie and Jane, cousins Lucy, Finn, Effie, Milo, Nell, Ted, Kim, Simon, Ben, Louise, Mark, Melissa, David and George, prolonged household, all of Will’s buddies and workers from St. Francis Nationwide College and Newcastle GAA Membership.