Grieving mum still misses doting dad
THE heartbroken fiancee of Sol Fagan has paid tribute to her soulmate, a “larger than life” bloke who was dedicated to his family and always stood for what was right.
Sitting in Sol’s chair at the head of the table in their Trinity Park home, Hayley Schoon said the last two and a half weeks had been a blur.
The 40-year-old died last month after a fall while working at the James Cook University library.
“The morning after it happened I woke up and I just had this overwhelming feeling that he was there and he told me that everything was going to be OK,” she said. “He was my best friend.” The mother of two, a disability support worker and nursing student, said “all I want is time to stop”.
“You should go to work and you should come home, it’s not fair,” she said.
“I’m still waiting for him to walk through the front door, my heart knows that he’s not but my head just thinks that he has to. He was the type of person who seemed invincible.”
The couple were inseparable from the moment they got together in 2004. Sol was a doting father to their children Sojah, 12, and Sophia, 10.
“I know that he would be beside himself at the fact that he’s not here for us,” Ms Schoon said.
“I’m so thankful I’ve got those two beautiful kids to remember him by.
“He was a strong individual and I feel that strength with me and I know I’m going to get through this.”
Just days before he died Sol had been so happy having secured a refrigeration mechanic apprenticeship.
“It brings me great comfort that he was so happy personally in his life,” she said. Sol shared a close bond with his younger sister Shea Fagan and their parents Jim and Lee Fagan.
They had an adventurous childhood growing up in Bloomfield and even spent time with Far North’s Tarzan, Michael Fomenko, who had a camp near their property.
“Sol was very loyal to his friends and he would never leave a man behind … he would give them the shirt off his back,” Ms Fagan said.
“He was loved unconditionally and in return he loved unconditionally.”
That loss has echoed far beyond the Far North with workmates, friends and strangers rallying behind the family. More than 300 attended his funeral last week.
“It’s comforting for me, because it’s been such a huge loss for me, to know that those shockwaves have not just echoed throughout this community,” Ms Schoon said.
Sol was known for his big smile and wicked sense of humour. He was protective of those he loved and always knew what to say to someone going through a rough time.
“He wasn’t one to follow the pack. If he knew what was right, he would stand by that,” she said.
“I’ve never met anyone like him. I feel so blessed to have experienced his love.”