Brian Sargeson

You couldn't find a kinder, gentler, friendlier, more loving, open and honest person. He never blinked when Iain introduced me and my daughter to him. He accepted Hester as his granddaughter aged 5, having only skyped her, talking whenever Iain called home, but when they met aged 7 they spent time playing ukulele which they were both learning, watching Bluey and playing anything Hester wanted. He was someone we all looked up to and wished we were more like.

How do you paint a picture with words of a person that you've been through 45 years every range of human emotion with and do them justice? The conclusion I've come to is I can't. Dad I lack the words to describe all you mean to me and how greatly I feel your loss. I've re-wrote this a 100 times in my head and it falls so short of describing you and how I feel that I concede defeat, so this will be a simple thank you.

Thank you Dad for always trying to be the best version of yourself, for your patience, your work ethic, your teachings, for being fair and honest and for your humour.
Thank you for being a Dad that was involved, that was there for as many things as you could be, for taking us to those rugby games, for all the fun , the holidays, the adventures and for the hours you put into us kids.
Thank you for letting me see you as a person as well as a Dad and friend. Some of the best things you taught me you didn't even know you were teaching.
Thank you for the memories I now get to treasure
Most of all thank you for your love. The kind of love that had no demands placed upon it, that was more secure than any rock that was so undeniably sure that there was never question.
I love you Dad, Rest easy. xxx

Brain I didn’t know you very well you seemed shy and kind to me … my memory of you is your smile you always seemed to to be a smiling… rest in peace dear Brian ..

From the moment I joined the family, Brian welcomed me with open arms, making me feel deeply loved, heard, and supported. He was a man of incredible kindness and generosity - generous with his time, with his spirit, and with his wholehearted presence. Whilst I will always remember his strong work ethic and passion for problem-solving, what stays with me most is the genuine hand of friendship and love he extended to me from day one.

Brian you live on in so many happy memories brining joy and your larger than life character to all you met. You will be missed

A beautiful soul, always doing his utmost to help whoever he could. He brought smiles and happiness to us all. A truly wonderful irreplaceable person. May you smile down upon us as we smile back up in your memory. You will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know you.

I remember meeting Brian a few years ago and being struck by his kindness and friendliness. I had known about him for many years through my dear friend Cherry. Over the 13 years that I have known her, she always spoke about him with love, admiration, and gratitude. It was clear how devoted he was to her and how much they meant to each other.
He was a caring and supportive husband, a kind-hearted person, and someone who was always willing to help others. The love and respect my friend had for him spoke volumes about the wonderful man he was. His memory lives on in the lives he touched and in the love he shared with his family and friends. He is deeply missed and fondly remembered.

I don't think any of us expected for him to go this early.

We all miss him and grieve of him. We have many strong memories of him which we shall cherish. Granddad took me once to Kenley airfield and he was on his e-scooter and I was on my bike and we just went around together for the day. I wish we could do that again. He was very kind and very loving all the time and would make space for anyone whenever necessary.

He will forever be in my memories.

Brian, you were such a special man.
Your unwavering love, devotion and loyalty to Cherry was a fine example to us all. We are doing our best to look after her for you but you are irreplaceable.
An incredible stepdad to Shanna and Shaun and an amazing grandad to Arthur and Rory. I've never known anyone who could come up with so many games from random things lying around. You had time for everyone who needed help and nothing was ever a hassle to you.
I'll miss our France holidays and the excitement I could see on your face when we were planning them. I'll also miss our projects together. You taught me so much and had so much patience. You unlocked skills in me I didn't know I had but I still can't cut anything straight sorry!
But most of all I just miss you.
I can't put into words how grateful I am for the love and support you gave my family over the years.
We are all so fortunate to have had you in our lives.
One one in a million.

I love Granddad very much. I had fun making memories on the beach, playing Hot Wheels and wooden trains.

Brian you was more than just a brother-in-law you were my friend.
You loved your music and loved nothing better than choosing music that would get us all up dancing.
We went to see Bonnie Rait (after spending the afternoon in a blues bar) and we were surrounded by music greats, we saw Guns and Roses wow that was some concert, and of course your beloved Northern Soul, this showed your true roots.
You was always the first to offer to wash/dry up after a family meal.
I shall miss your twinkly eyes and genuine smile, always happy to see me,
How kind were you, always there to offer help or advise.
My life will be emptier without you around, and Christmas will never be same.
I shall treasure every memory

Brian and Roland building Karen's wonky shed.

Brian's greatest joy was the family he and Cherry built together. His love, kindness and generosity touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. He gave his time freely, loved without condition, and made people feel welcome, valued and cared for.
His memory will live on in the countless lives he enriched, and he will be loved and missed always.
"Thank you, Brian, for the love, kindness and laughter you brought into our family. We will never forget you."

Brian, you are very much missed by all of us.

You were the most amazing granddad to Arthur and Rory, you always gave them something far more valuable than gifts - your time. You taught Arthur how to ride his bike, spent hours teaching both boys how to paddle board, and were a wonderful role model for them. They absolutely adored you, and I know they will carry so many of those memories with them throughout their lives.

Some of my favourite memories are from our family holidays. France will always make me think of you. The two-day drive felt like a holiday in itself, and I will always be amused by the time we drove ahead and didn't wait in Calais, only for you and Mum to take a wrong turn and end up driving through Paris on one of the hottest days of the year with egg and sausage sandwiches sitting in the car!

The best holiday we ever had (and the boys completely agree - sorry Sam!) was when we went with you to Juan-les-Pins for the first time. We finally got to see what all the fuss was about. It was there that you taught the boys how to paddle board and snorkel to see all the fish! I remember watching the fireworks display and seeing all the yachts gathered out on the water to watch it too. When the show finished and all the yacht horns sounded together, it was such a fun moment. Our holidays were always awesome, not because we did a huge amount of activities together, in fact most of our holidays were pretty relaxed, it was more about spending loving, quality time together.

One of the greatest acts of kindness you ever showed us was opening your home to us so we could save for our wedding. It couldn't have been easy, especially when Shaun moved in too, but you never once made us feel like a burden. You made us feel welcome, loved and at home. Looking back, I realise I never really worried that you might say no when we asked. Not because I didn't respect your opinion, but because you were such a kind, generous and loving man that it genuinely never crossed my mind.

You were always helping others and sharing your knowledge. You built the kitchen and bathroom in our old house, patiently teaching Sam and Mark skills and guiding them through the entire process. That was just who you were - always willing to help, always happy to give your time.

I also treasure the memories we made in Tenerife. Seeing whales with you on the sea safari trip is a core memory I'll never forget. Tenerife was such a funny holiday; I mostly remember Arthur constantly shouting "chips!" and you and me taking turns on the (watered-down) beer runs from midday onwards.

Then there was "Magic Blackpool." We somehow managed to book what was apparently the worst-rated hotel in Blackpool, and it absolutely lived up to its reputation. But that didn't matter. We still loved the illuminations, the rides and the promenade, and somehow turned it into one of our favourite holidays. I still chuckle when I remember someone offering you a seat on the tram!

The annual pantomime trips are another memory I hold close. There isn't one specific moment that stands out; it was simply the joy of the whole day and being together. We went last year, but it wasn't the same without you. I thought about you a lot that day.

And then there's Christmas. I'm sorry you never really stood a chance of escaping our family's obsession with Christmas! In the end, I think you and Sam wisely accepted it was a battle you would never win. Our Christmases together were the best. You and Mum won the Christmas decorating competition every single year, and despite my best efforts, I still can't recreate your garlic carrots. Mum can't either, by the way. It's funny how grief works. Sometimes it's not the big moments you miss the most, but the little things, like garlic carrots.

I miss you so much, Brian.

You were my second dad, an incredible granddad to the boys, and, more importantly, my friend.

As I promised you, I've been looking after Mum. She misses you every day, but she has been so strong, and I know you would be incredibly proud of her.

Thank you for everything you did for us, for every lesson, every laugh, every holiday, every Christmas, and every memory.

We love you, and we miss you every day.

It is difficult to find the right words when someone so loved is gone.
Brian greatest gift was the love and devotion he gave to his family and friends. He had a way of making people feel welcome, valued, and cared for.
While my time knowing him was brief, it was enough to understand why he was so loved.
The impression he left was one of kindness, warmth, and genuine character; qualities that are not easily forgotten.

Brian,
I honestly have no words!
One thing I do promise is that I will always look after your Cherry. She meant the world to you, and you meant the world to her.
You will be missed more than words can ever express and remembered so fondly by everyone whose life you touched. I will never forget your kindness, whether it was making sure us girls got home safely after a few drinks, or the many laughs & giggles we shared talking about Cherry and “her Brian.”
The love you & Cherry shared was something truly special. It was unconditional, full of respect, loyalty, & genuine friendship. I always admired the way you looked at each other & the life you built together. You set the standard for what a loving partnership should be.
One day, I hope I find my own Brian, a love as pure & devoted as the one you and Cherry shared.
Thank you for your kindness, your warmth 🩷

I met Brian obviously because of Carol, when I went with her to spend a weekend in Sutton with him and Cherry, and over the years I came to think of him as another brother.
Brian was a kind, caring,thoughtful man. I have many memories of times spent with him, here are just a few.

I wanted to go to a typical London pub, Brian took us.

I wanted to see Mercury playing at Wimbledon, Brian took us, what a night that was.

I wanted to go to Winter Wonderland, Brian took us.

I wanted to see the horses on Rotten Row, Brian arranged it.

I also remember the wonderful English breakfasts he cooked , and evenings staying in watching films with a takeaway and a glass or two of wine.
There are many, many more.
You are greatly missed my friend. X

A beacon of kindness and encouragement.
A life lived to the full.
Brian will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Guy

We only met Brian a couple of times when he came to Camber for family visits, however we immediately realised what a kind, gentle man he was. Great fun and a real gentleman who made Cherry so happy.

RIP Brian

Brian, unfortunately we only knew you for a short time, But we feel like we have known you forever, you were such a kind, caring, generous & hard working Gentlemen.
Always there to help his family, always smiling & having a laugh.
We miss you very much
Rest easy now
Angie & Roland xx
( Phie's Parents )

It was a massive shock when i had a phone call from cherrys sister dawn, telling me that brian had sadly passed away, he was far to young to leave this world, life can be so cruel and unfair at times,
Brian was a lovely fella i met brian through one of my bestist friends cherry, i remember when cherry first met brian she was so happy she had met such a nice man, i think they both fell in love very quickly, Brian was the love of cherrys life, he was a true loving caring funny gentlemen, they were both always laughing together when i was in there company, brian thought the world of his family and grandchildren, and felt the same for cherrys family and grandchildren, they were all one big happy family, i know Brian is missed so much by so many, rest in peace brian xxx
To cherry and brians family and friends cherish and keep hold of all those special treasured memories you made in your heart forever, nobody can take them away xx

Brian Sargeson my little brother.

Brian and I were extremely close and I miss him so much Not one day goes past without I think of him and I'm sure this will always be the case.

Brian was THE best man I have ever known. You may think I am biased but this is absolutely true. If you met him you know this. In fact he was the best person I have ever known; kind, loving, compassionate, caring, honest, hard working. I could go on. Alan, our older brother, once said of Brian “He is the best of both of us”. As Cherry will attest we were very alike. He was a much better person than me though.

I used to boss him about when we were small children (well, I am a year and four months older than him). He would do anything I told him to do until, one day, he said “no”. I was astounded! We had physical fights when we were children too. I can remember mum saying “Hit her back”. Brian's response “I can't she's a girl”.

We were so, so close in mind and heart if not in distance.

I worried about him. I worried especially when he lived in New Zealand (too far away) and was grateful when he moved back to the UK. I was even more grateful when he met the wonderful, beautiful Cherry. I didn't worry so much then because I knew she would love and cherish him, and he her. Brian and Cherry were a match made in heaven and I am lucky to call her my sister.

Brian meant the world to me and my life will never be the same.

I couldn't have asked for a better brother. I am so thankful to have had you in my life Brian.

I love you! Always in my heart and in my thoughts.

Brian the kindest and most thoughtful person I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. A lot of my memories of Brian are when we did building projects together for his family. I learned a lot working and just being around Brian. I’m going to miss you Brian you are a very special human being and I’m going to miss you my friend.

Brian was far more than just my dearest friend’s husband. Together, they shared a relationship I have always admired. The love, respect, friendship, and unwavering support they showed each other over the years were truly special and set an example of what a strong and happy partnership should be.

Every time I spent time with them, Brian greeted me with a warm smile and made everyone around him feel welcome and at ease. It was impossible not to notice the happiness they created together and the joy they brought to those nearby.

I feel privileged to have known Brian and to have witnessed the wonderful life he and my dearest friend built together. His kindness, humour, and gentle nature will always be remembered. My heart goes out to his family, especially my dear friend, during this incredibly difficult time. Brian will be deeply missed and never forgotten. ❤️

My brother in law was the best man I have ever met in my life,he cared so much for others,I've never met such a selfless man as him,if their was a problem he would help and give more than what you expected,i will never forget the times watching football with Brian and my dad and my dad winding us both up cause we supported man utd he would support the other team me and Brian ganged up on him shut up Ted-dad we used to say,i have to pay tribute to taking on my sister he treated like a queen so much respect and her children too he helped bring up shaun who turned into a fantastic person with his other half phie,i could go on forever with what Brian has done in his life the time I knew him,dam I will miss that man always as my sister does too and many others,we will all miss you Brian.🫶

I only met you once Brian on your wedding day had a laugh at my northern accent when you and your sister was from Yorkshire it was so funny never met anybody trying to speak posh from Yorkshire except your sister Carol we had such a laugh. It was such a pleasure to meet you
Love tracey

Gonna miss you Brian I don't think ive ever met someone as giving and caring. Someone who came to help whenever you needed it im gonna miss my jd partner. Love you uncle until we meet again ❤️

Playing nerf wars in the forest !

Some memories

Brian was so lovely, kind, caring and respectful. nothing was ever a bother. He was always happy & chill. I’m glad to have helped organise his wedding and enjoyed talking to him about it and working together to get it ready.

Glad to have Spent his birthdays and Christmas with the family.

I’m glad we could show up for him when he needed it, to show our support.

Brian made really good nachos!!

I have a great memory of me and Brian singing along to R&B songs on the way to France and him singing the rude words! Was so funny!

I’m so grateful he did our house electric - his perfectionist work lives on in our home and his name written behind the wallpaper 💖

miss you x

We have never met a most gracous man and such a kind heart we miss u so much you was so special thank u for loveing my beatiful sister you looked after her well she adoured you rest in peace till we meet again we miss u so much xxxxxxxxxxx

My grandfather was one of the kindest and most caring men I have ever known, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had him in my life. He taught me so much through the way he lived, always putting family first, always caring for others, and always making people feel loved.

Some of my happiest memories are from when my brothers and I were younger and would go stay with Grandad and Nanny. We always loved making the long trip because we knew it would be full of fun, jumping around in an inflatable pool, playing fun games and karaoke on his PlayStation, and eating from what felt like his endless snack cupboard. He always knew how to make us laugh and make every moment special.

But more than anything, I will always remember my Grandad's hugs. After his surgery, his heart made a ticking sound, and somehow, hearing that as a child while lying with him would always send me to sleep. It’s one of the most comforting memories I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

He was always there for us. He would build things for us with so much care and pride, and he came to support me at rugby whenever he could. He has been such an important role model in my life, and the lessons, values, and love he gave me will stay with me forever.

He was deeply loved, and he will be missed more than words can ever describe.

Grandad ❤️

We often measure a man by what he builds, and by that measure, my dad was a master creator. He built forts in the forests for my brother and me, go-karts out of scrap metal, turned simple cardboard boxes into grand castles, and spent his life using his skills as a tradesman to fix whatever was broken. But the greatest thing Dad ever built wasn't made of any physical materials, but of unconditional love and absolute safety that wrapped around my brother and I.

Dad was our ultimate champion. When I was a tricky teenager, he didn't pull away; he met me with endless patience and kindness. As I grew into adulthood, that unwavering support never lessened. Nothing was ever too much trouble. If I needed him, he was simply there. I’ve honestly lost count of how many houses he helped move me into, or how many DIY projects he enthusiastically took on just because I asked. He was incredibly generous with his time, his hands, and his heart.

Then, when he became a Grandad a whole new chapter began. For my three older boys, Nanny and Grandad’s house was the ultimate safe haven—a place of pure fun and happy memories. And then came Mabel. He adored her, and she adored him right back. It feels so fitting that her very first steps in this world were taken toward her Grandad. Today, she carries so many of his mannerisms, a beautiful living piece of him that stays with us. She misses him terribly, and it breaks my heart that he won't be here to watch her grow into the amazing young lady she is becoming.

Dad was loving, he was funny, and he was the person I could always count on. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure how to do life without him. But as I look at his grandchildren, I realise he already gave us the blueprints. He showed us all how to be kind, how to laugh, and how to show up for the people we love.

Thank you, Dad, for fixing our worlds, for building our dreams, and for loving us so completely. I will miss you every single day.

Brain was a perfect example of one of gods great creations, I really can't say i have ever met anyone else like him. from him being the sunshine that brightened my mums life to the perfect role model that shaped me as man. Brian was a blessing that entered our family and showed us all nothing but love and compassion. I am just so thankful to have had all the time i did with you. Thank you for everything, I love you so much and miss you everyday.