Our lovely son, Orlando / Peter and Izabella (Parents) Two weeks ago we lost Orlando. Every parent's worst nightmare come true. Now we are trying to pick up the pìeces and make sense of what happened. There is no doubt in our minds that Orlando's time had come: he had completed what he had come here to do. There are so many indications of this. We feel his presence and his memory lives on, as it will forever in our hearts. We want to thank all of you - family and friends - for the support and love you are giving us. So many phone calls, text messages, cards, letters and personal visits: this has all been of great comfort to us. Orlando's funeral was an uplifting experience for us, and so many kind words were said to make us so proud of him. This made us see our little boy through the eyes of others: no longer a child, but a man, much loved by all whose lives he touched. Please continue to call and visit us, and to visit his website. Thank you all, Peter and Izabella
orlando (read out at his funeral) / Kristin Urbanus (girlfriend)
Orlando- When I'm with you, I trust you and I feel confident in you, and therefore myself with you. I trust you more than I've trusted anyone, I trust you to make me smile and laugh and to make me happy. Sometimes I even feel that I trust myself more with you than when I am alone. I love you more than I thought I could, for all the things you do that I admire in you, and especially for the things which I lack. Our love is secure and balanced, and for this I trust you even more. Sometimes I can't believe it-your fairness and your ways with people-your way with me. You are amazing to watch. You say that you lack patience but I wonder if I could be as patient as you. I care about you so much and even more when I'm not with you because it makes me realize how lucky I am to have you in my life. How lucky I am to have met you. That I should be so lucky to meet a person like you to pop into my life and show me how the world should work-and with all of this love that you give me. que suerte, yo tengo suerte. If you were here now, we'd wrap up in each other...things were easy with us. We would talk and talk and laugh and talk and be and be and be.
A los que estuvieron presentes en su despedida / Alex Hearn (Brother) Quisiera en nombre de toda su familia, agradecer a los amigos de Orlando que se han reunido con nosotros para compartir estos momentos. Orlando siempre fue y siempre sera mi hermanito pequeño, pero esta semana he tenido la suerte de conocer a Orlando el hombre.
El convivir con el una cena entre hermanos amigos, el habernos dicho todo lo que nos teniamos que contar, el verle tan feliz y equilibrado en su vida tanto personal como laboral me llena de orgullo, de respeto y de satisfaccion. Me siento afortunado de haber llegado a tiempo para conocerle un poquito luego de una ausencia de casi 3 años.
Todos vosotros nos estais ayudando a conocer mejor la persona tan fabulosa que fue. Es sobrecogedor. Por mi parte, siempre que me vea en el espejo, vere su cara que es la mia, y tratare de seguir su ejemplo.
Dentro de la ira, la rabia y el dolor que sentimos, nos queda el consuelo de que vivio a su manera, bajo sus propias reglas, y que tuvo un impacto tan grande en tanta gente. Luego de haberos escuchado a todos hablar de el estos dias, creo que si hay una palabra que resume a mi hermano, esa palabra es "amistad".
A tribute to Orlando Hearn (read out at his funeral) / Ian And Zoe Raybould (Friend and colleague ) I am speaking here today as a representative of the pupils and staff of the Residence at King’s College where Orlando worked as a resident tutor.
I would like to begin by saying that Orlando Hearn was an excellent residence tutor and, in fact, the best I have ever worked with.
Yesterday afternoon, everyone in the residence sat down together to talk about Orlando. We shared our thoughts and memories and talked about what Orlando meant to us. Why did we all like him so much? What was it that was so special about him?
Pupils spoke of his warmth and kindness at times of loneliness and his generosity when they needed to borrow something or needed some of his time. Others reminded us of his strong sense of fairness and equality, each of them feeling valued by Orlando regardless of their age, sex or background.
One of the boys spoke about how Orlando had encouraged him to complete an important piece of art course work by checking on his progress every day for weeks. Orlando offered encouragement when the boy felt he was getting nowhere and gave complements to lift his spirits. One of the girls mentioned how he was always looking for exciting activities and excursions for the weekends and several talked about how he encouraged them to keep fit by taking them to the gym.
Orlando had a great sense of humour and we could all recall the sound of his laughter and the many jokes and wind-ups he played on the youngsters. For example, one day, when he was going around waking the pupils up, he shouted “It’s snowing… It’s snowing”. The boarders were overjoyed as they jumped out of bed with the hope that school would be cancelled! Of course, there was no snow, but all the pupils were up and there was much laughter at the breakfast table.
In summary, the residence pupils loved Orlando very much and he was an excellent role model for them.
On a personal note, Zoe and I valued Orlando first and foremost as a loyal and sincere friend. He was always there to support us and our family and no one could wish for a better neighbour. Nothing was too much trouble, the answer was always “Yes” and whatever he did, he did it with a smile on his face.
On a professional note, Orlando was every Head of Boarding’s dream. He could be trusted to carry out his work faultlessly. He was thoroughly organised, never missed a duty and was never late. In fact, this is the only annoying thing I can say about him as he often put the rest of us to shame! Orlando never really got the idea that sometimes we are on duty and sometimes we are off duty. For Orlando, when he was in the building, he was available for our pupils and his door was always open to all of them. He got alongside those in his care and offered them guidance, support and most importantly of all, friendship.
He got along with the entire team at King’s College residence. After receiving his Christmas bonus from Ted Baker in November, the first thing he did was to go out and buy gifts for some of the cleaning, laundry and maintenance staff. To him there were no levels of importance; he appreciated everyone who contributed to the well-being of our boarders.
We will all miss him dearly although a part of him remains in each of us and we will be better people because of that.
Thank you so much Orlando for your work in the residence and your dedicated friendship.
"what is dying?" (read out at his memorial service) / illi Schubert (sister in law ) What is dying? (Bishop Brent)
I am standing on the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length, she is a speck of white cloud just when the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, “There! She’s gone!” Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. she is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear her load of living weight to her destined harbor.
Her diminished size is in me, not her. and just at the moment when someone at my side says, “ There! She’s gone!” There are other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “ There she comes!”
And that is dying.
Mary Frye "Do not stand at my grave and weep" read out at his funeral / Adam Hearn (brother)
Do not stand at my grave and weep I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sun on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.
Funeral Blues (read out at his commemoration service) / Modified From WH Auden traducción en castellano debajo Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead. Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves, Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was our North, our South, our East and West, Our working week and our Sunday rest, Our noon, our midnight, our talk, our song; We thought that love would last forever: we were wrong.
The stars are not wanted now; put out every one, Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun, Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods; For nothing now can ever come to any good.
Blues para el funeral
Que se paren los relojes, que se que corte el teléfono, que el perro a un hueso jugoso ya no le ladre, que se callen los pianos y con redobles en sordina venga el ataud y entren los dolientes. Que los aeroplanos que gimiendo dan vueltas en lo alto escriban en el cielo el mensaje: "Él ha muerto", que pongan pajaritas de papel en los cuellos blancos de las palomas, que los policias se pongan guantes negros. Era nuestro norte, nuestro sur, nuestro este y oeste, toda nuestra semana y nuestro día de descanso, nuestro mediodía, medianoche, plática, canción. Pensamos, y estabamos equivocados, que nuestro amor duraría siempre. Ya no queremos las estrellas. Que las apaguen, que empaquen la luna y desmantelen el sol. Que sequen el océano y barran los bosques porque ya nada de lo que venga habrá de ser bueno.
kisses/ Adam (brother) kiss, kiss, kiss. Thats a little family ritual we have always stuck to. No matter who was there or how gruff Orlando tried to be, whenever we met up we would always greet each other Polish stlye, with three kisses. I remember at one point feeling almost embarassed about it, thinking that for your friends we must look like the mafia. Three kisses, cheek, cheek and back to the first cheek again. What did it mean for him? I can't say for sure, but it was a little ritual we always engaged in together. Orlando, I'm going to miss those kisses. Orlando was my younger brother but he was so much more than just that for me. In fact, I think he took better care of me than I did of him, always brightening my day and making me think about things, generous to a fault with his time, energy and money. I realise his death is not a personal failure on anyones part, that the 'what ifs' are pointless, and I truly believe that this was something unavoidable. It was his time to go. In the horror and shock of it all, our mother told me that Orlando had never been ours to keep, that we had been blessed in borrowing him for 26 years. And we were so blessed. I have so many wonderful memories of him- eating crocodile tail in Zimbabwe, diving for conch shells in Antigua, chanting at the Buddhist centre in Brighton, showing me the best places to swim up in La Pedriza...He would always choose a spot several metres higher than me, enough to make me nervous, before jumping in and bobbing up to the surface with a beaming smile. I don't know what happens to us when we die, but I see Orlando in my dreams, and he tells me that when it is my turn he'll be there waiting, with that big smile and those three kisses. Kiss kiss kiss Orlando, kiss kiss kiss.
Thank you / Thomas Herbert (friend)
I didnt know Orlando for a long time, but I will remember him for his spirit, character, and friendship. He was a good friend in many ways and I think one that shows his giving nature and friendly outlook was when we first met this summer. I was a new a teacher at this camp and slow to make friends, but Orlando from the start was so accepting and helped make me feel comfortable there. It was difficult for me but he has a way with bringing you along and helped make the transition easier for me. From the beginning I could tell what an amazing and unique person he is and I am very thankful I got to know him better over the last months. He was so giving of his time and energy and I just want to say thank you to a great guy. Close
Shocked/ Carlos Pi (Friend of the family )
I was truly shocked when I received the news, only a few days ago...
For me Orlando was Alex's little, happy, hyperactive brother, full of life and ready to take on the world. I truly expected to meet him again and get to know him some day, but like Juanito, I never did after we all finished school.
All my love to you Alex, and of course to Izabella, Peter and Adam. My thoughts have been with you these days.
Te quiero / Charlie Prout (Amiga)
No lloraré más por tu ausencia, ya que cada lagrima es un reflejo de mi egoismo al no tenerte cerca, cuando en realidad, nunca te he perdido. Porque en cada momento compartido, fuiste depositando en mi tu confianza, tus preocupaciones, tus alegrias, tu amistad.... en otras palabras, un pedacito de tí, que guardaré siempre. Ahora te recuerdo con una sonrisa en los labios, y con mucha gratitud por todo lo que me has aportado. Resumiendo: te quiero. Hasta pronto, amigo mio. Close
Od wszystkich pamiętających w Polsce / Ksenia Angierman Read >>
Od wszystkich pamiętających w Polsce / Ksenia Angierman
Spieszmy się kochać ludzi tak szybko odchodzą zostaną po nich buty i telefon głuchy tylko to co nieważne jak krowa się wlecze najważniejsze tak prędkie ze nagle się staje potem cisza normalna więc całkiem nieznośna jak uroczystość urodzona najprościej z rozpaczy kiedy myślimy o kimś zostając bez niego
Nie bądź pewny że czas masz bo pewność niepewna zabiera nam wrażliwość tak jak każde szczęście przychodzi jednocześnie jak patos i humor jak dwie namiętności wciąż słabsze od jednej tak szybko stad odchodzą jak drozd milkną w lipcu jak dźwięk trochę niezgrabny lub jak suchy ukłon żeby widzieć naprawdę zamykają oczy chociaż większym ryzykiem rodzić się nie umierać kochamy wciąż za mało i stale za późno
Nie pisz o tym zbyt często lecz pisz raz na zawsze a będziesz tak jak delfin łagodny i mocny
Spieszmy się kochać ludzi tak szybko odchodzą i ci co nie odchodzą nie zawsze powrócą i nigdy nie wiadomo mówiąc o miłości czy pierwsza jest ostatnia czy ostatnia pierwsza
El Pequegno Orlando / Juan Perez (Friend)
Orlando,
Te recuerdo siempre en el playground del King's con once u doce agnitos, con el jersey de pico azul, con una sonrisa permanente en la cara y actitud pizpireta. Ya después, me marché del colegio, como tu hermano Alex con quién to merodeaba por el patio del cole, y no te volví a ver. Me ha dado mucha pena tu marcha pero me queda la alegría de ver como habías crecido y te habías convertido en todo un hombre. Espero que tu familia tenga el consuelo de ver lo apreciado que eras por tus amigos y compagneros del King's. Y que tengan ánimo y que sigan adelante con fuerza.
Recuerdo/ Clara Puig
Alex me llamó el domingo 17 de Diciembre de 2006 con una noticia que me destrozó. Orlando había muerto. No supe que decir, ni que hacer. Había hablado con Izabella de lo contenta que estaba porqué ella y Peter iban a tener por fin unas navidades con sus tres hijos, las nueras y la nieta. Sé que al hablar con Alex no estuve a la altura, pero también sé que nada de lo que hubiera dicho o hecho podía ayudar demasiado.
Yo fui durante 4 años, monitora de Orlando en sus campamentos de verano en Mas Pagès. Pasábamos allí prácticamente todas las vacaciones. Fue una época maravillosa, una etapa que ya acabó, pero de la que creo que todos los que estuvimos allí, guardamos un gran recuerdo
Recuerdo que Orlando iba siempre con esa gran sonrisa en la boca tan característica y con cara de haber hecho alguna trastada. Nunca eran trastadas con malicia, sino más bien bromas que nos hacían reír un montón. Recuerdo también que tenía un don especial para acercarse a los que más le necesitaban. Todos sabemos que los niños pueden ser crueles y que en los campamentos, suele haber alguno al que integrarse, le cuesta más que a los demás. Orlando siempre estaba con ese niño. No por pena, no porqué sintiera que fuera su obligación, sino porqué simplemente se lo pasaba bien. Le gustaba estar con los que él consideraba que le podían necesitar.
Finalmente, recuerdo que a pesar de ser un hombretón de 12 años, Orlando, a veces, buscaba a Alex o a Adam para llorar un poco ya que echaba de menos a sus padres. Ahora somos nosotros quienes lloramos porqué le echamos de menos. Close
Orlo-The Mighty Man / Ross Golding (Friend)
I sat in my room last Sunday afternoon thinking about our phone conversation, Xmas coming up, catching up and the great time of year that this usually is when we are all together...unfortunately you are not here now and we didn’t catch up. I spoke to you in my prayers that Sunday night and although I couldn’t hear you, I sensed your presence. I can’t begin to describe your personality and I’m sure that other people struggle to do so too...because you are unique. During the last week I have cried a few times, this is a mistake, as you never cried but smiled and brought happiness into many people’s lives. I have had flashbacks of the moments we spent together: Working together every summer in Mas Pages, Girona and King’s Summer Schools, Madrid, helping you out in the Nautica stock room this time last year. Most of all, I remember our trip to Malaga for 10 days last September in 2005. We had so much fun; remember playing the Guitar with Carlos Wilde, listening to music in the car-singing at the tops of our voices! Driving through those terrific roads in Jaen wondering if we´d make it through to the highway. You have found that highway now, I got left behind and I’m stuck now but I will meet you again and find the way back.
De Lulo / Lulo (Friend)
Hola Orlo,
Hoy es Nochebuena, pero NO la estoy celebrando, nunca la celebré pero ahora mucho menos. Estoy pensando en tí CABRÓN, porque te quiero mucho. Le dije a Lee el domingo que 'Yo' no sabía hacer esto, y es verdad. Yo no sé vivir sin tí y no sé decir a la gente que te has marchado, porque YO mismo NO me creo que ya no estés y NO lo quiero.
Esta semana después de verte las he pasado muy PUTAS. No he sabido estar. Ya lo sabes, sigo viviendo mi MIERDA de vida pensando en muchas cosas que hice mal [que te voy a decir, ya lo sabes] pero enorgulleciéndome de ciertas cosas que he creído, que he hecho, que he sentido y que he vivido con personas como tú. Si no fuera por eso, ahora mismo me tiraría de un puente o dejaría de vivir.
Tus padres me ha impresionado. Son excelentísimas personas a las que no he podido alentar en el día de tu funeral porque no estuve. Sí que te ví, pero el día antes. No sabía como estar; todo el mundo estaba destrozado pero yo NO sabía como romperme, no estaba preparado, y quería pero NO. El día siguiente llegué a casa y no sabía afrontar la vida sin tí. Llegué a mi bar local, y al bar man le dí pena de lo triste que estaba [eso dice él].
Sólo quería decirte que significas mucho para mí, aunque no te haya visto en un huevo de tiempo, y que sé que nos tienes a todos destrozados porque te echamos de menos y porque nunca dejaremos de recordarte, al menos yo.
Tú ya sabes sabes quiénes son tus amigos [menuda gilipollez acabo de decir] pero quiero encontrarme entre ellos y SIEMPRE pensaré en tí y SIEMPRE estaré para lo que necesite tu familia.
TE QUIERO
Lulo Close
To Orlo / Paul Kendal (Friend)
To a great person, someone to follow and cherish, to miss and remember with a smile. We all want u here mate and I'm sure you'll continue to guide us and give us strength, as u always have done. Cheers Orlo. Close
To Orlando (read out at the memorial service) / Lee Golding (Friend)Read >>
To Orlando (read out at the memorial service) / Lee Golding (Friend)
To Orlando 18-12-2006:
If we were to start speaking about Orlando’s life and the things he has done for us all, we would, no doubt, be here for an eternity. Yesterday some of his closest friends got together and wrote some short phrases which we believe captured Orlando’s spirit, friendship and support throughout the short but intense time we all had the pleasure of sharing with him.
I am sure that his family and everyone else who knew him will share these thoughts.
Si empezamos a hablar de la vida de Orlando y las cosas que ha hecho para todos nosotros, estaríamos aquí, sin duda alguna, toda una eternidad. Ayer, nos reunimos algunos de sus más íntimos amigos para recordarle y componer unas líneas que para nosotros, reflejan la esencia de Orlando, su amistad y su apoyo demostrados durante los breves, pero, intensos años que hemos tenido el privilegio de compartir con él.
Estoy seguro de que su familia y todos los demás que le hemos conocido comparten estos sentimientos.
None of us will ever get over Orlando’s physical loss but we know he will be with us all spiritually until the day we get to see him again.
Although it is difficult to comprehend our loss, if Orlo were with us now, he would be telling us to stop mourning, he would tell us to keep him in our hearts and while putting on a Bruce Springsteen album, he would reassure us that one day, we will all meet up again.
Orlando was more than a friend, he was a brother to all of us. There has never been and will never be, anyone like him, we will all miss him terribly.
Always hands on, full of energy, inspired and happy, his strength and spirit will fuel our lives forever.
And we will not cry because we know what he would have wanted, we knew what this step symbolised for him. We back him in what he believed and the new life he is starting will be a lot better than the last one because if the Buddhist way is right, we have done nothing in this life but plant the seeds. It is now time for Orlando to reap their rewards.
Orlando was special in our lives, we know he is at peace now but he will be in our hearts forever.
Según tú, el 17 de Diciembre, cumpliste tu objetivo en la vida, eras feliz. Según tu filosofía nos volveremos a encontrar en otro momento, según nosotros, te queremos.
Some of us did not know him for that long but it would never take a genius to realise what Orlando was about. We have never met such a generous person and we are so happy we did. Orlando was ace, Orlando was all.
We will miss his touch, his spirit, his generosity and his way of making everything seem OK, we love you Orlando.
Tan grande era tu corazón como el vacío que nos dejas, solo sabemos que la vida ya ha merecido la pena por conocerte a ti, gracias amigo.
Formabas parte de nuestro día a día, y con ello llegaste a formar parte de nosotros. Te has ido pero nos da la impresión de que en cada uno de tus amigos hay un pedacito de ti. Por ello, estando todos juntos, te sentimos aquí, cerca, como si todo esto fuera un mal sueño del que, cuando nos despertemos, te podremos volver a abrazar. Te queremos, jamás podrías imaginar todo lo bueno que nos has dejado, gracias.
Por años y años de tu amistad, tu generosidad y por todas y cada una de las veces que te dirigiste a nosotros como lo que fuiste, un amigo, muchas gracias.
Ojalá encontrásemos una palabra que calmase el hecho de no volver a disfrutar de tu compañía. Por y para siempre Orlando! Único e irrepetible, gracias por haberte conocido.
Mirant els partits del Barça, per nosaltres, no serà mai més la mateixa cosa sense tu. Visca el Barça Orlando y visca tu. Per sempre. Close
THANK YOU ORLO / JAVIER BENCOMO (FRIEND)
SI ALGO PUEDO AFIRMAR CON TOTAL CONVICCIÓN ES QUE HE TENIDO MUCHA SUERTE DE COMPARTIR UNA AMISTAD TAN SINCERA CON ALGUIEN COMO ORLANDO. DURANTE 26 AÑOS HA SIDO CAPAZ DE MOSTRARLE AL MUNDO UN MODELO DE PERSONA, DE BONDAD, DE AMISTAD Y RESPONSABILIDAD Y YO FUI TESTIGO DE ELLO. NADA VA A PODER REPONER SU AUSENCIA, PERO ORLANDO NOS DEJÓ UN LEGADO. A NADIE DEJA INDIFERENTE Y SE FUE ASEGURÁNDOSE DE QUE TODAS Y CADA UNA DE LAS PERSONAS QUE LE CONOCIMOS NOS QUEDEMOS CON LA MEJOR IMAGEN QUE UN SER HUMANO PUEDE TENER. NO SÉ DONDE ESTARÁ, PERO SEGURO QUE ESTARÁ BIEN Y DESDE LUEGO, SU ESPÍRITU QUEDARÁ EN NOSOTROS PARA SIEMPRE. NUNCA TE OLVIDAREMOS Y YO PERSONALMENTE SÉ QUE NOS VOLVEREMOS A ENCONTRAR. GRACIAS POR TODO AMIGO. Close
An exemplary man / Chris Hewlett (Friend)
I didn't know Orlando for very long but as was the strength of his character, he left a lasting impression on all those he met. I call him exemplary as he lived life with a perfect attitude which is not easy to replicate, so positive and genuinly kind and giving. On a personal note, I was looking forward to spending more time with him in 2007, meeting his friends he spoke about so much... unfortunately this was not to be but I take comfort in the amount he taught me about myself in the short time we knew each other. Close
Tributes and Condolences
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