Though 10 years have passed, Thad, you are not forgotten ….

To all our dearest relatives, friends and all who have expressed your love and support to Thaddeus and to us, his family.

10 years have passed since Thaddeus left us suddenly on 24 June 2007. During the 4 day wake, many of you extended your condolences, expressed words of comfort and love to us. Many of you whom Thaddeus did not know but have heard of him came to pay respects to him and penned your thoughts, feelings and compliments of him.

We kept all these messages written in the many condolence books, in a special cabinet and could not bring ourselves to see them all this time. Perhaps we were not yet quite ready to do so for fear of bringing back the painful memories of that fateful day – the saddest day of our lives. We have waited far too long and were recently and finally brave enough to take them out.

Reading them brought tears and joy to us. Thaddeus had touched the lives of so many of his friends in his ever unassuming and quiet ways. The positive impression he left on many whether they were his friends, cross-country training buddies, classmates and even acquaintances make us proud. It is a joy to have Thaddeus as our son.

Allow us to share these memories of Thaddeus with you – how he lived his short 17 years doing what he liked best and his achievements as a sportsman; how he had inspired some of you and most importantly the joy and laughter he brought to everyone. Many said they will never forget his ever endearing smile and laughter.

If we have erroneously spelt your names, we apologise but do write to us and we will correct them.

Thomas, Angie and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.