Hundreds mourn the passing of ‘gentleman’ Lewis
FAMILY, friends and fans packed a church in Splott yesterday to say their final goodbyes to the promising young rugby star who is thought to have taken his own life after a long battle with mental health issues.
The sudden death of Lewis Isaac earlier this month at just 24 years old shocked everyone who knew him.
The strapping prop was given the nickname Ox due to his power on the pitch. Off the field though, only a select few knew that the Asperger’s sufferer was struggling with a constant unseen opponent – one which, it seems, would ultimately get the better of him.
Surrounded by floral tributes arranged in the team colours of Cardiff Blues, for whose under-16s side Lewis previously played, hundreds of mourners filled the pews and lined the back and sides of St Alban’s Roman Catholic Church to say goodbye to the man Father Alexander Gee, conducting the funeral service, described as “big in strength, stature and, most importantly, in heart”.
With the bright afternoon light streaming through the stained glass windows, the congregation sang hymns like I Watch The Sunrise, the words of which – “I watch the sunlight shine through the clouds / Warming the earth below / And at the midday, life seems to say / I feel your brightness near me...” – proved particularly poignant.
At the close of the service Lewis was carried from the church in a natural wicker coffin held shoulder high by his friends and those alongside whom he’d played rugby.
Behind them, arm in arm, were his father and mother Dave and Martine.
In an earlier interview with WalesOnline the couple had paid tribute to their “bright, caring” son and spoken of what he’d gone through.
“He was just a gentle gentleman who gave a lot of love to everybody around,” said Dave.
“I think he touched a hell of a lot of people throughout the world.
“We’ve had messages and support, not just from within rugby and the Splott and Cardiff community, but also from Macedonia where he did some
charity work.
“But he had inner demons and just lost his battle with them,” he added.
Martine also revealed that she’d also feared losing him for years.
“Every day was a struggle, not knowing how to keep him here,” she said.
“The way I describe it is I was grieving my son who was still alive.”
Lewis attended Moorland Primary School, Willows High School, St David’s College and the University of South Wales, where he was studying scientific natural history.
As for his rugby, his talent was obvious as he progressed, playing for St Albans, St Joseph’s, Cardiff Schools and Cardiff Blues U16s.
“The best thing Lewis ever did was start playing rugby,” said Martine.
“Outside of family, rugby was the big thing for him.
“That’s where he felt accepted. When he was on the pitch, he would do his job, he wouldn’t let anybody down, he wouldn’t take a step back. He just wouldn’t give up.”
Lewis was cremated at Thornhill Crematorium, after which everyone went back to Splott Conservative Club to remember him and celebrate his life and achievements.