Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
It isn’t goodbye.. it’s a see you later, dude
Funeral for dog victim Jack, 10
MOURNERS at the funeral of dog attack victim Jack Lis wore his favourite colour red as his mum said in an emotional tribute: “This isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see you later, dude.”
Hundreds lined the streets to pay their respects to the 10-yearold who died after being mauled while playing at a friend’s house.
Red balloons were released in his memory and a procession was led by flash cars including a Delorean like the one in petrolhead Jack’s favourite film Back to the Future.
Jack’s mum Emma Whitfield, of Pentwyn, Penyrheol, South Wales, gave a poignant reading at the service, saying: “I spent the last 10 years watching you grow and we got to start seeing you grow into an amazing man. My heart aches so bad that we won’t get to see you grow into that incredible man.”
Friends and family filled St Martin’s Church in nearby Caerphilly for yesterday’s service, while hundreds more outside the church heard the service played on loudspeakers.
One family member told mourners: “I hope he looks down on everything we do with a smile. We want to make him as proud of us as we are of him.” A tribute from Jack’s best friend was also read out in church, saying: “Jack, you went away too soon. I never got to say goodbye but I look forward to the day we meet again. “Thanks for being an amazing friend, you will always be in my heart.” A picture of a Toyota Supra, Jack’s favourite motor, took pride of place on his small coffin. Instead of flowers the family asked for donations to 2 Wish Upon A Star, which supports those affected by the sudden death of a young person.
My heart aches that we won’t see you grow up EMMA WHITFIELD MOTHER OF JACK