It was standing room only as more than 160 people packed Wealden Crematorium to pay tribute to the Eastbourne builder dubbed 'the most courageous and caring person I have ever met.'
Sean Richard Foley, 59 had been treated in Eastbourne District General Hospital for catastrophic injuries sustained in a trampoline accident during COVID. He was treated for seven bouts of sepsis but his family's fundraising appeal enabled him to be cared for at home. Describing his battle, Mick Gosden said: "Sean just got on with life. He never queried 'why me?'"
Mick described how Sean grew up loving animals and the countryside. "He worked for his father on the farm. He had a brilliant sense of humour and liked a good laugh. He was popular and well-liked."
Surveying the standing guests he joked: "I'm a bit disappointed by the turnout today!" But he also remarked on the large number of people unable to attend who were nonetheless watching and listening to the tributes from as far away as Australia and Scotland.
Born in Eastbourne Maternity Home on June 24, 1961, Sean weighed in at 11 and a half pounds. He attended Willingdon Junior School and earned pocket money by doing a paper round in a top hat (the hat made an appearance atop Sean's coffin.) He trained as a mechanic but decided it wasn't for him, so started working on building sites, finally running his own successful business. Sean's older brother, David said, as boys, the 'protecting role' was reversed "with Sean looking after me rather than the other way round."
Sean, who lived in Old Town, was a popular patron of local Eastbourne pubs such as the Windsor, the Lamb and Bar Viva. Mick described how he became a bouncer. "Two lads threw peanuts at him; he tolerated it twice, then on the third time he knocked their heads together, threw them out, and was offered the job!." .
Sean was a competent boxer, joining the Alan Minter boxing gym in Crawley. Facing down opposition fury at a South London match he knocked his opponent out in 32 seconds.
Mick said Sean met Daniella, fell immediately in love and the couple enjoyed their life together. Having been told they could not have children, they were thrilled when their first daughter came along in 2015 and a second shortly afterwards.
David described how, at his own wedding, Sean delivered the shortest Best Man's speech on record, saying: 'Thank you for coming along - I hope you have a very nice time..'
He also described his brother's first wedding where he turned up at his house and asked why, on this of all mornings, Sean was in jeans and T-shirt? He was told: "My suit needed altering so I'm picking it up at the church before the service.'
On a serious note he said he was reassured by Sean's recent 'visits' to him at 3am each morning with a simple message: "Don't take everything too seriously in life!"
Sean Foley cared deeply about the people around him, followed Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion football clubs and loved music including Rod Stewart, Queen and Neil Diamond. All agreed he never allowed his disability to define him and it did not take away his personality.
There was a moving interlude where video footage and stills of his life were screened, accompanied by Frank Sinatra's My Way. Mourners read The Lord's Prayer and the closing music was 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' by Eric Idle.
Tears flowed as a poem called Our Hero was read out and dedicated to Sean by his daughters. The crematorium was awash with brilliant colours as guests paid tribute to family wishes not to wear black.
Following the funeral, guests were welcomed to a wake at The Lamb in Old Town.