I will remember Sean as a semi-professional conversationalist. He had a way of chatting that made everyone feel as though they were telling him the most amazing thing. You could see how conversation energised him, like fuel to a fire. He listened deeply, engaged fully, and when it was his turn, told stories with such finesse that it felt as though you had been there yourself. My favourites were always from his time in Smiggins and Japan, which he could recount in epic detail.

Sean’s pride and love for his family were infectious. He would come to work bursting with a joyous recount of his day off — whether it was watching (and importantly loving) a kids’ dancing stage show or duck-watching with Lily.

I will forever miss Sean and his endearing quirks, but I will carry the lessons he taught me: to do things simply because of how lucky we are to do them; to make the most of every opportunity; to live with attention, compassion, and love for others, and most importantly; to always be the most stoked person in any room about anything.

Love and miss you forever, Seano.

Seano, I can’t believe I will never see your lovely smile again or feel the natural warmth and kindness you gave to everyone who entered your space. 

I loved working with you and deeply valued, respected and admired your work ethic and the humble way in which you communicated, cared for and motivated the people you lead.

I always looked forward to catching up with you because no matter what we needed to discuss you always had a positive and relaxed attitude about it and made me feel stoked about the work we were doing together.

You always had so many great ideas to improve culture and operations within both the Geelong and Torquay Patagonia Stores and you were always striving to do better or make things better for those around you. 

Without a doubt, every time I saw you, you always took the time to ask me how I was and how my kids were and your sincerity and care was real. Your face lit up whenever you spoke of your beloved Lil’ and the love of your life Ali and I send them both my deepest condolences and love. 

My heart breaks that I didn’t get to say goodbye, but you will be in my thoughts always and thank you so much for being such a wonderful colleague and friend. Going to go and have a swim at Treachery with the boys for you now, Love ya mate x 

Ali, Lily and little one, 

Our thoughts are with you, and we are so sorry we can’t be there to send off Sean, we will be back in Japan unfortunately.

We are so devastated for your loss and thinking of you always. 

Sean was one of a kind; and will be missed by so many. 

Sean (Freshly as I knew him) came in like a gentle north westerly breeze to every situation. I remember that distinct feeling even the first time I spoke to him on the phone … his voice put you at ease and painted a casual yet considered perspective on most all situations, no matter the gravity.

I knew you to be a gentle soul, a humble human who really had a great depth of colour and talent in your life, a musical mastermind, a board riding core lord who lived for adventure, an open heart and mind to everyone. He met you where you were at and seemed to give every moment of life the grace and pace it deserved.

Seeing small windows into you with Ali and Lily was poetic, at events or if they were meeting you after work, and it was plain to see that this was your ever flowing fountain of happiness above all else. 

I and so many others have been proud and privileged to know you my friend, be it for minutes, hours, months or years. I wish that we had more time to see you be an incredible dad, loving partner to Ali and friend to all … you were a gift to this earth. So thank you deeply for everything you gave us.

Love to you and your beautiful family, you will live on through us all.

Mikey, Jasmine, Camille, Sanna xo 

One of the things I’ll always remember about Sean was how he was always up for a chat, no matter what was going on. One day at work we spotted this really sketchy-looking guy hanging around out the back of the store on the security cameras. He just seemed… off. He was wandering around the cars, doing strange things, and none of us were keen to go outside.

Except Sean.

While the rest of us watched nervously on the cameras, Sean just headed out there and started talking to him. From inside, all we could see was this guy getting more and more animated, arms flying everywhere, clearly deep into some wild story we couldn’t hear.

When Sean finally came back in, he calmly told us that the guy was a prince, that he owned a sword, and that it had been stolen from him while he was walking around Geelong. I don’t remember all the details now, but I remember the laughter. Proper, tears-in-your-eyes laughter.

That was Sean. Curious, fearless in his own way, and always willing to meet people where they were. It’s a small moment, but it’s one that still makes me smile, and one I’ll always associate with him.