In memoriam Robin Lee

I hoped that I would never have to wear this tie during this project. It is my funeral tie, and I go this afternoon to the funeral of Robin Lee. I worked with Robin for a little over a year at the Sussex Language Institute. He was the kindest and most generous man, with a quick irreverent wit often shown when we started each day with coffee around the Language Learning Centre desk. I shall never again hear him correct my pronunciation of the name of the town where I live. He died in his sleep last week. Very many people miss him, at the University and in Lewes. In a gesture that blends the traditions of Lewes's bonfire societies with Hunter S Thompson's attitude to death, he asked that his ashes be scattered by being fired in a rocket on Bonfire Night.

There is an obituary on the University of Sussex website and a video of the scenes outside the church at the end of the service on YouTube. The Bonfire Prayers are recited

Comments

[Alexandra Loske]

Thanks for this Tom. We're only just holding it together here right now. Have just opened a bottle of white in celebration of Robin and to calm my nerves down. Hope to see you at the church in a little while. Sascha x

[Sweder]

Sadly I didn't know the Gentleman, though I feel certain I'd have enjoyed his company immensely. My condolences to friends and family.

As for his proposed heavenly send-off, I could not approve more.

[lynneguist]

I didn't know Robin personally, but the eulogies I've seen to him this week certainly make me wish I had known him. My condolences.

On a tie note, I am from a funeral-directing family, but had not seen black ties for funerals until I moved here. The traditions are so different...

[Tom Roper]

How curious about the black tie not being the done thing in North America.
The funeral was very affecting, huge and a proper Lewes pyrotechnical send-off.

[Sascha Loske]

J was wearing a red tie in response to Robin's request for red and white as the colour scheme for his funeral, but that's just by the by. I am getting the impression the colour and shading of ties might be a British obsession (see: http://colourlightandshade.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html). I don't recall any discussions about the colour of ties in Germany. You would probably wear a dark tie at a funeral, but it wouldn't be compulsory.