July 15, 1988 – March 26, 2017
Our beloved Sebastian passed away peacefully on a quiet Sunday morning with his wife, Cassie Gardner, and his parents, John and Penny Gardner, loving him deeply through his last breaths.
His courage in letting go was equally as remarkable as his courage to live fully in spite of a long and challenging experience with cancer. Many of Sebastian’s greatest joys and proudest accomplishments occurred during this time, including: graduating with a degree, a successful varsity soccer career at Thompson River’s University, getting married, working as a social worker at the Ministry of Children and Family Development, coaching youth and varsity soccer, and becoming a father to his precious, unborn child.
Sebastian chose to love fiercely, take leaps of faith, open his heart, and soften his criticisms of others; to cry, to laugh, to forgive, and to live well in the face of fear. It is for these reasons, and many more, that he will be sorely missed by his wife, parents, siblings Jacob and Harriet Gardner, the Drummond family, countless friends, and a large and loving extended family in England.
In lieu of flowers, please consider doing a random act of kindness, donating to the Kamloops Hospice Association, or to an educational trust fund for baby Gardner at babygardnerintrust@gmail.com
Sebastian’s memorial service will be held in the Grand Hall at Thompson River’s University, 900 McGill Road in Kamloops, BC, at 2:00pm on April 8, 2017.
3 Tributes
Rest in piece brother. It was a pleasure to play against you in my time in the Okanagan at UBCO. The soccer community will miss you and so will your mates. My deepest condolences go to your family, your siblings, your wife and everyone who you touched in your lifetime. My brother recently passed away leaving behind an unborn child, I know your loss.
With Love,
Jorden
I haven’t seen you for a long while now, but I certainly will always remember your fun loving nature, and can remember you always smiling and laughing. Everyone always has nice things to say about you. Heaven gained another great one, with you Seb.
Rest easy my friend. Everyone is missing you terribly. x
Seb,
I remember growing up together, playing Soccer with your Dad John as the coach, just as young lads. We wore our Wendy’s uniforms with pride! All the way up to playing Rep soccer with Vernon United. Going to high school at Seaton and playing on the basketball team.
You were a great friend, always laughing and smiling. You always brightened up a room when you were in it. I am honoured to have known you, and to have played sports with you, and to have been your friend. This world is a little darker without you Seb. But rest in peace brother, your fight is over.
Til Valhalla.
Tayler (or as John always said, Tyler)