Obituary of Sean Ellis Connor

SEAN ELLIS CONNOR February 2, 1974 – January 17, 2014 I dreamed about you before you were born and I loved you before you had shape and form and I sang to you “Oh my sweet little boy child” and I always knew you soul to soul A precious, shy, strong minded baby, a sweet happy child, Grandpa’s shadow, running with your dogs and cats playing with your tractors and even Gran on hands and knees made loads of fertilizer chocolate cookies for you to haul to town. Such a smart kid, reading the encyclopedia upside down and backwards for a parlour trick. Wrestling with Aunty Donna. Canoeing with Dad (Lionel) using your own little paddle. Enjoying the outdoors and exploring, growing up with Robin and Lorne and their kids. Garden cucumber fights with Milt and Sharol’s kids, gathering with the Hopkins. Loving your little brother Jeremy, even if the kid was a tease. “Burts it, Burts it.” But Jeremy stood up for you when you wouldn’t yourself, and is standing up for you still. You discovered computers, when you were eight years old. AnneMarie set you up with a Radio Shack computer and you never looked back. Your passion a “Texas Instruments” computer that used tapes. Graduating high school, studying Electronics Engineering at the U of R. Graduating at the top of your class while battling colitis, kidney failure and diabetes. You never complained about your illnesses, just did what you had to do. No one knew the pain and suffering you endured in silence. I would have carried you then if I could have. You have truly a kind and gentle spirit, loving family and friends always ready to lend a hand. You became a strong and honest man, one your step father Jim would be proud of. You were happy to be best man at Jeremy and Asami’s wedding, even if your best shoes pinched. You were proud to have a sister Asami to add to our family. Life took a turn for the better, your health improved, you got a great job at Sasktel and made many friends, including internet friends and your Linux Group. You loved fixing up your house and hopping in your truck to go a-venturing. Last summer we built a deck on your house. This time I was the “gofer”. We spent many hours talking and laughing together. You had a lovely twisted “punny” sense of humour that everyone enjoyed. When we come into this world we get the gift of life, not hours or years, just life, for however long or short it may be. You lived your life with courage, kindness and compassion. You surpassed all of your goals. You earned the respect of others and above all you loved and were loved by all who knew you well. What a successful life! We celebrated in good times. We celebrated in bad times, and now my son we celebrate your wonderful life. We will miss you beyond words. Mom, Judy Hopkins and Jack, Dad, Lionel and Sharon Connor, Jeremy and Asami, Anne Marie, Donna and Greg married and Mackenzie and Zack were welcomed into the clan, Aunty Tracy, Lorne and Robin and family, friends and relatives. I sang my baby into life I sing my young man into the light Oh my sweet son We love you Sean Thanks to all for your thoughts and kindness and especially to friends and co-workers at Sasktel for taking care of him. Thank you to his computer and Linux friends. In the spring when the leaves are green and birds are singing we will spread his ashes in nature, a place that brought him peace and joy. A private service will be held later for family and friends. Friends so wishing may make donations in memory of Sean to Operation Smile, P.O. Box 235 Station Main, Markham, ON L3R 3J7 or to Sasktel Computers for Schools (please visit www.sasktelpioneers.com/cfs for more details). Advice from Sean: “Do not look into laser with remaining eye.”