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Heartbroken friends and family of two teenagers who drowned in a Londonderry lake have said their deaths were “nothing short of excruciating” at their joint funeral.
Reuven Simon and Joseph Sebastian, both aged 16, died after getting into trouble while swimming in Lough Enagh on Monday night.
Mourners packed the church at their joint funeral, hearing that their deaths were “nothing short of unbearable,” as the boys’ best friends described them as funny, compassionate and inseparable from one another.
The boys were from the town’s Keralan Indian community and were due to return to St Columb’s College after receiving their GCSE results last week.
Crowds packed St. Mary’s Church in Ardmore on Friday and several hundred more gathered outside for the service.
Family
The mass was conducted according to the rites of the Syro-Malabar Church and incorporated the music and language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala.
Abraham Sebastian, a representative of Joseph’s family, described him as “a role model” for his younger siblings and someone “who always took things in stride.”
He said his death was “devastating” and had left “a big hole” in his heart.
He said: “Words cannot describe the pain and loss we feel as a family as we mourn the life that was, but also the life that could have been.”
Reuven’s brother Evan gave a speech in which he addressed his only sibling and said “you left me too soon”.
Reuven’s cousin, Juliet, said that he was “the bravest and most selfless person I know”.
She added: ‘He would do anything for his friends and family without a second thought. He was the type of person who left no one behind.
The children’s best friends described Joseph, whose nickname was Joppu, as “loving, kind and compassionate” with an “unmatched” sense of humor, and Reuven as a “brave person” and “strong and caring”.
They added: “As best friends, Reuven and Joppu were inseparable.”
Its headmaster, Finbar Madden, told the congregation that the school had been “overwhelmed” by expressions of sympathy from the entire community, including the Minister for Education and the chief inspector of schools.
He described the children as outstanding students and said this was “a desolate day.”
He said his training teacher described them as “intellectual, compassionate, inquisitive, generous, sometimes mischievous and always open to guidance.”
Mr Madden quoted his head of year as saying: ‘Both boys were a gift every day to our school and to the community at large.
They were loyal to each other and never parted ways. They laughed together, worked together, and supported each other like best friends should always do.
Mourners were told that Joseph was “a passionate footballer” and Barcelona supporter, and that he was also an active member of the Newbuildings Cricket Club.
Reuven also enjoyed football, cricket, and listening to music, the congregation listened.
Celebrant Rev Father Clement Padathiparambil, national coordinator for the Syro-Malabar community in Ireland, said the teenagers “were special in so many ways, and it’s hard to understand why their young lives ended so soon and so suddenly.”
Father Michael Canny
In the homily, Father Michael Canny said the children’s families and the wider community were “concerned” and “baffled by the sense of loss and intensity of grief” following their death.
He said: ‘As parents and families, you have loved these children and they will always be alive in your hearts and memories.
‘The pain you feel today is proportional to the love you have for your children, and that is tremendous pain because you had tremendous love for your children.
‘Families of Joseph and Reuven, you have made this city your home, a city and a town that is no stranger to deep pain and suffering.
“You, as families who are suffering so painfully, can now draw from that deep well of empathy and love that your adopted city is so ready and willing to offer.”
Bishop of Derry Donal McKeown said the children were “a great gift to all of us, as we have heard, during their short lives”.
He continued: ‘Having been a teacher and a school principal, I know this is a scary time for many young people and their families.
“This is the worst nightmare for any parent.”
Addressing the families, the bishop sympathized with “the terrible loss they have suffered” and said that the death of the two children “has been traumatic for many people in this city and community.”
He added: ‘I know that the Syro-Malabar Church community is very strong and united.
“They will work together to support families, the bereaved and the traumatized through the very difficult weeks, months and years ahead.”
