We are so thankful to have had our beautiful son for the past 24 years. We have so many wonderful memories and there are so many amazing people that positively influenced his life. If you are looking at this website, you’ve either helped Sean or influenced him along the way…OR…perhaps he helped or influenced you in some small way.
To those of you that have been a friend to Sean, like Ryan, Adam, Alex, Chanel, Erin, Dante and many others…THANK YOU for being there for him, he truly valued your loyal relationships
To those of you that are friends of our family…THANK YOU for all of your love and support, in helping us begin to deal with pain that is as deep as the universe, one small gesture, one tear or one hug at a time
To the Padilla family who treated Sean as one of their own…THANK YOU for opening your homes and your hearts to our beautiful son. Sean loved being with you whether it was to celebrate a holiday, camping, hunting or just hanging around your family. We know you loved him as a member of your family and will always appreciate this.
To Sean’s cousins from Vancouver – Julie, Christian and Ben, and from Toronto - Eric, Daniel, Alex, Natalie, Thomas, Allison, Matthew, Katie, Emily, Brian, and Mia…THANK YOU, the joy that radiated when you were together with Sean could power a solar system. He will carry that love and joy forever, he carries you with him now
To Sean’s Aunts & Uncles from Vancouver - Uncles Stephen, John & Bryan, and Aunts Jane and Tammy, and from Toronto - Pat, Andy, Brian, Terry & Paul and Aunts Tina, Lisa, Darlene, Tracey & Lori…THANK YOU, you have helped define what family truly is for Seany. He was blessed to have you as shining examples for him to emulate as he grew into a young man. You were also the sources of an abundance of laughter and joy, that he loved to bask in.
To Sean’s Grandparents including Leslie’s parents - Ted & June Rule from Vancouver and my parents - Pam Canham and Brian Canham from Toronto …THANK YOU, no words can express how much Seany loved to be with you. He was so blessed to have such wonderful role models in his life.
To Sean’s Godparents – Vicki and Rory Lesperance, and their children Carrie, Michael and Christopher who we met in the desolate prairies of Saskatchewan and since have shared so many sleepovers and birthday parties and wonderful times…THANK YOU for always being there for us and for being another beautiful pillar of influence in Sean’s life.
To Sean’s big sister, Sarah - you’ve been such a wonderful sister for Seany. We have so many wonderful memories of the two of you playing together as kids and we’re so thankful that he got to meet your sweet little Lily-bear, who is a ray of sunshine on these cloudy days. Seany knows that you will be a wonderful Mom for little Lily as you’ve had a chance to learn from the best on this.
To Sean’s little brother, Evan - Seany loved having you at his hockey games, cheering him on. He especially loved the little league season where you played on the same team in Raleigh. Sean is immensely proud of you, he loved playing or talking about sports with you and I can still see his beaming smile when he saw you graduate from U of A in May 2009. He’ll be always there on your shoulder as your biggest fan and angel.
To Sean’s Mom, Leslie - you are Sean’s greatest blessing of all. He probably holds a record for the number of sweaters you’ve knitted, the numbers of ceramic Christmas ornaments you made, the collages that you put together, the keepsake boxes with every uniform from every team. Regularly making Seany some of his favorite things like eggs & soldiers and traditions like having his own lemon meringue pie on his birthday (yes, that’s an entire pie for him!). You gave Sean life, you nurtured him and loved him unconditionally until he was able to spread his own wings and enter the unprotected world as a young man. Sean was blessed that God chose you as his Mom, knowing that the only way a heart a big as Sean’s can develop, is through the love and caring of a wonderful Mom.
As Sean’s Dad, I wish I could trade places with Sean and take away his pain and allow him to fully experience the abundance of life. My heart has been crushed and I would give all I have for just one more of his great big bear hugs, or to hear his laughter, or for one more round of golf, or to just sit and watch a hockey game with him. I will cherish the wonderful moments we’ve had with Sean during his 24 years with us. I know Sean wants us to move forward and enjoy our lives, so I will do my best to honor his wishes. I am so blessed as a father to have Sarah and Evan in my life, to have our beautiful granddaughter whose smile and coos could melt a glacier and fuel our healing, to have my wife, Leslie, to have and to hold until death do us part.
Seany, we miss you terribly, we love you and are relieved to know that you are no longer in pain. We know that God, and Papa have welcomed you with open arms and know that one day you will do the same for us. We love you forever.