SHAWN FITZPATRICK
This Guest Book has been kept online until 12/21/2011 by Lexington Herald-Leader.
KEEP GUEST BOOK ONLINE
Follow this Guest Book
•
• Index View
• Print Entries
• Most Recent to Oldest Entries
December 21, 2010
Brenda, My heart is breaking for you this very moment. You have been in constant prayers. I will call you soon...as I want to hear your sweet voice.
Love and Blessings Lora James
~
Lora James,
Ft Lauderdale, Florida
|
Contact Me
December 21, 2010
No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.
~
Pattie& Burnsie Mollette,
David, Kentucky
December 21, 2010
Brenda,
We are so sorry to hear about Shawn. Although, we are unable to be with you in person, we hold you tight in our thoughts and prayers for today and the days ahead. Wrap yourself in the knowledge that you are truly blessed to have so many who love and care for you.
Jerry and Anita
~
Jerry & Anita Lafferty,
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=11#ixzz1XNXuSIFt
December 22, 2010
Dear Brenda, Words cannot express the sorrow the world will know in losing Shawn. He was such a fine man. I grieve so for you, his wife and son. I know Rick will have him as a Special Angel in spirit forever.
Praying for you and grieving with you,
Nancy Hutchison
~
Nancy Hutchison,
New Albany, Indiana
December 21, 2010
Brenda....please know that you are in our hearts and prayers. We know how proud you were of Shawn and all of his accomplishments. We also have taken a lesson from you and Shawn about "paying forward" good deeds. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jeff and Meredith Willett - Lexington, KY
~
Jeff and Meredith Willett,
Lexington, Kentucky
December 21, 2010
Dear Brenda,
Through the years, you and I have talked about friendship and what long time friends mean to you. For myself and all your other loving friends, we lift you up in prayer and steadfastly support you.
~
Gary Goble,
Louisville, Kentucky
December 21, 2010
Brenda, I am a cousin of yours and Shawns. My name is Matt Calhoun. Shawn and I attended IU Bloomington, Indiana together during undergrad. I am sorry to hear this news. He was a great person! We had so much fun together my Sophemore year. If I can find some photos of us, I'll send them your way. Thoughts and Prayers!
Sincerely,
Matt Calhoun
~
Matt Calhoun,
Indianapolis, Indiana
|
Contact Me
December 21, 2010
Brenda,
I am so very sorry to hear about your son. Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you. You and family are loved very much. Kay LeMaster Wingham--Dayton, OH
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=10#ixzz1XNYBCHWJ
Follow this Guest Book
•
• Index View
• Print Entries
• Most Recent to Oldest Entries
December 23, 2010
Dear Shigemi and Brenda,
You both have been in my heart, mind and prayers all day. Now that Shawn is settled so peacefully, please try to find that same peace in your hearts. His spirit is with you, and he would want you to be at peace. He loved you both so very much. I do too.
Pat Barkley
~
Pat Barkley,
Lexington, Kentucky
|
Contact Me
December 22, 2010
Dear Brenda, Sending sympathy and love from Georgia. We talked about your son at the reunion. I know how proud you were of him. I can't imagine your grief.
We love you!
Donna & Charlie Collins
~
Charles & Donna Collins,
Auburn, Georgia
December 22, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss. Shawn was a great person.
~
Christine Burgess,
Lexington, Kentucky
|
Contact Me
December 22, 2010
Dear Shigemi and Brenda,
Shawn was a dear friend and I am heartbroken to hear that he has passed! I have not talked much with Shawn in the past couple of years. Brian, Liam and I were so happy seeing Rick, Shigemi , Shawn when they moved back from Japan, and meeting his family over the holidays a few years ago. ( sorry about Mickey's dolphin...)
I pray that Rick and Shigemi will find peace through all of this and that Brenda and the rest of Shawns family and friends find peace as well. Shawn was a dear man and I am so sorry!
With love,
Beth Hensley and Liam cook
~
|
Contact Me
December 22, 2010
Brenda, I am so sorry for your loss. Everyone who knows you knows how much your son meant to you. You are in my thoughts. Liane
~
Liane King,
Montreal, Quebec
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=9#ixzz1XNYRmKAF
December 27, 2010
To all Shawn's loved ones: I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear this news. We were just getting to know Shawn and looked forward to a great working relationship together. Shawn had great energy and he will be missed on campus. My love and prayers are with you all in this difficult time.
Tonna Harris-Bosselmann,
Gainesville State College
~
Tonna Harris-Bosselmann,
Atlanta, Georgia
|
Contact Me
December 27, 2010
Dear Shigemi and Brenda,
My colleagues and I are extremely sorry to hear about Shawn. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Happy Birthday, Shawn!
~
Hieu Huynh,
Gainesville, Georgia
December 27, 2010
Brenda, my deepest sympathy for your loss. We talked about how happy you were that Shawn, his wife and son were going to be spending time with you during the holidays. May God bless you with comfort and love.
~
Russ Wiley,
Roy, Utah
|
Contact Me
December 25, 2010
So sorry for your loss Brenda. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Cheryl Frasure Johnson (Prestonsburg, KY)
December 23, 2010
Brenda, I was saddened to read about Shawn. You are in our thoughts and prayers now and in the weeks to come. May the love of friends give you comfort and the love of God give you peace.
~
Don & Rita Calhoun,
Lexington, Kentucky
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=8#ixzz1XNYqncXf
December 27, 2010
Dear Shawn,
You were such a nice guy, a good classmate, and a good father. I still can't believe this is true. May you rest in peace, with no pain, no sorrow, no worry.
~
Rachel Chen,
Taiwan
December 27, 2010
I knew Shawn as a graduate student at the University of Illinois. He was a kind and gentle person who had a unique view of the world and a keen perspective on learning and teaching. I will miss him. My deepest condolences.
~
Danielle Bus,
Tucson, Arizona
December 27, 2010
Dear Shawn's Family, Shigemi and Rick,
You all have my deepest sympathies. Shawn was a great friend to me at the University of Illinois, I wouldn't have made it through without him. Although we only knew each other for a short time, I was lucky enough to become good friends with him. I know that he was an excellent teacher, a devoted father, and a great friend. He will be missed by us all.
~Marshall Klassen
~
Marshall Klassen,
Broadalbin, New York
|
Contact Me
December 27, 2010
Dear Shawn's family,
Shawn and I went to U of Illinois together, and he was such a great person. I am so sorry for your loss, and please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of Shawn. Please rest in peace, my friend Shawn.
Sincerely,
Joy
~
Joy Ee,
Los Angeles, California
December 27, 2010
Shigemi,
Miho and I were shocked to learn of Shawn's passing today. If there is anything that you need, please contact us. I will deeply cherish our conversations and time together. He was a great friend and a bright light in the world. He loved you and Rick very deeply. Again, we are so sad and want to help in anyway we can.
~
John Young,
Savoy, Illinois
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=7#ixzz1XNZJRFwO
December 27, 2010
Dear Shawn,
You were such a nice guy, a good classmate, and a good father. I still can't believe this is true. May you rest in peace, with no pain, no sorrow, no worry.
~
Rachel Chen,
Taiwan
December 27, 2010
I knew Shawn as a graduate student at the University of Illinois. He was a kind and gentle person who had a unique view of the world and a keen perspective on learning and teaching. I will miss him. My deepest condolences.
~
Danielle Bus,
Tucson, Arizona
December 27, 2010
Dear Shawn's Family, Shigemi and Rick,
You all have my deepest sympathies. Shawn was a great friend to me at the University of Illinois, I wouldn't have made it through without him. Although we only knew each other for a short time, I was lucky enough to become good friends with him. I know that he was an excellent teacher, a devoted father, and a great friend. He will be missed by us all.
~Marshall Klassen
~
Marshall Klassen,
Broadalbin, New York
|
Contact Me
December 27, 2010
Dear Shawn's family,
Shawn and I went to U of Illinois together, and he was such a great person. I am so sorry for your loss, and please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of Shawn. Please rest in peace, my friend Shawn.
Sincerely,
Joy
~
Joy Ee,
Los Angeles, California
December 27, 2010
Shigemi,
Miho and I were shocked to learn of Shawn's passing today. If there is anything that you need, please contact us. I will deeply cherish our conversations and time together. He was a great friend and a bright light in the world. He loved you and Rick very deeply. Again, we are so sad and want to help in anyway we can.
~
John Young,
Savoy, Illinois
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=7#ixzz1XNZgyOgd
December 27, 2010
I used to call you my big bro, since you were always kind, friendly, and helpful. You were a great teacher, considerate, coz you always thought about how your students would feel if you said sth or did sth. That was also how you treated others. You were a great husband, a great son and a great father. Wish you peace and love in heaven. I will always miss u, my dear big bro... RuRu
~
RuRu Xu,
East Lansing, Michigan
December 27, 2010
Shawn and I went to the U of I together, and he was such a great and interesting friend. He was one of the very smartest and curious people I met in my life. We used to spend hours after our MA classes in the coffee shop and just discuss different subjects and topics.. He had a unique perspective of the world. May he rest in peace. My deepest sympathy for his mother, wife and son. You will be missed, Shawn.
~
Dana Sh.,
Urbana, Illinois
December 27, 2010
To Shawn's family - please accept my deepest condolences. I knew Shawn when he was a student at the University of Illinois (he took one of my classes). He was such a kind and intelligent person, a wonderful student and a wonderful teacher.
~
Tania Ionin,
Champaign, Illinois
December 27, 2010
Dear family of Shawn,
I did not know Shawn well, but I was looking forward to working with him as a colleague at Gainesville State College. I had the pleasure of meeting him once, and he seemed to have such a gentle and caring spirit. I can only imagine that he was a most wonderful husband and father. I know he will be missed tremendously.
~
Karen Peters-Barker,
Atlanta, Georgia
December 27, 2010
Hard to believe this. He is such a nice friend, husband and father. I will remember his kindness and keep it in heart. Rest in Peace, Shawn.
~
Qishu Liu,
China
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=6#ixzz1XNaRDrFP
December 30, 2010
Brenda,
I just want you to know how very sorry I am about Shawn. You and your family are in my prayers that the peace that passes all understanding will be with you to help you and see you through this. Know that we all grieve with you and love you. May you know everyday how we appreciate the friendship and love that you've shown all of us and that it will be returned to you when you need it the most.
~
Lora Hamilton,
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
December 30, 2010
Brenda, I am so sorry for your loss...Shawn was a special guy and I will remember him always...My Thoughts and Prayers are with you,Mickey,Shigemi...and your wonderful grandson Rick...You will always have a GUARDIAN ANGEL looking down on you ....May God Bless you all....With my deepest sympathy!!!
~
Marlene Ratliff,
Edmonton, Kentucky
December 28, 2010
At Gainesville State College we are saddened deeply by the loss of Shawn. He was one of the kindest and gentlest people one could hope to know. He exemplified one who is at peace with himself and others. We offer our deepest condolences to Shawn's family.
~
Eric Skipper,
Watkinsville, Georgia
|
Contact Me
December 28, 2010
Shigemi-san, I don't have the words to express my sadness. I cannot stop thinking about you and Riku-kun. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
~
Miho Young,
Savoy, Illinois
December 28, 2010
I supervised Shawn's MA thesis at the University of Illinois. It was a masterful, nuanced, and very original piece of work. The field of TESOL has lost a potent and promising voice.
To Shawn's family, I extend my deepest sympathy.
~
Fred Davidson,
Urbana, Illinois
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=5#ixzz1XNaYsW2O
SHAWN FITZPATRICK
This Guest Book has been kept online until 12/21/2011 by Lexington Herald-Leader.
KEEP GUEST BOOK ONLINE
Follow this Guest Book
•
• Index View
• Print Entries
• Most Recent to Oldest Entries
January 03, 2011
Shigemi and Rick-
I'm so sorry to hear about this. I loved every minute of working with Shawn, He's an amaing guy and an excellent teacher.He saved me repeatedly in Izumiotsu! I'd love to see you if you come to Osaka!
Leo
~
Leo,
Osaka
January 03, 2011
Shigemi,
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Shawn. Although I only knew him for a short time while he was teaching here, I felt close to him and I was looking forward to working with him here at GSC for a long time to come. We and his students will miss him and also you and your son. Please take care of yourself and your wonderful son.
Don Smith, ESL and Japanese at GSC.
~
Donald Smith,
Colbert, Georgia
|
Contact Me
January 03, 2011
Brenda,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I pray that you will find strength and peace during this very difficult time.
~
Kathie (Bentley) Stamper,
Georgetown, Kentucky
|
Contact Me
January 02, 2011
As an ESL colleague at Gainesville State College, I am saddened to hear about the loss of Shawn. Dorothy Foster, Gainesville GA
January 02, 2011
Shawn and I were classmates together at the University of Illinois and I new him to be a wonderful friend. This news is incredibly sad and my sincerest condolences go out to Shawn's family and loved ones.
~
Andy Halvorsen,
Savoy, Illinois
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=4#ixzz1XNaedIaE
January 08, 2011
Dear Shigemi and Rick,
We only had chance to meet a few times before you left Japan, but Shawn made a big impression. He was such a nice and genuine person. It was a pleasure to have known him.
We're so sorry to hear what happened and are thinking of you in this difficult time.
~
David & Atsuko Marsh,
Osaka
January 07, 2011
We were so sorry to hear about Shawn.
He is such a great husband and father.
We never forget his kindness in Champaign IL.
If you come to Sapporo, We would like to see you and Rick.
Please Take care of yourself and Rick-chan.
With Love,
Atsushi, Kaoru and Haruki
~
Kaoru OYAMA,
Sapporo,JAPAN
January 07, 2011
Dear Shigemi and Rick,
I am so sorry to hear about Shawn. I heard so much about him before I had even met him in our "girly lunches" at Kishiwada school. He definitely lived up to expectations as he was such a lovely person.
Shawn was nice to everybody and always made an effort to get to know others. This is a quality which he did naturally and modestly. I honestly don't think he realised what a genuinely lovely person he was and he was always fascinating to talk to.
I send much love and hugs to my good friend Shigemi and little Rick at this time.
~
Amy,
Oxford, England.
January 07, 2011
Shigemi and Rick,
I am so sorry to hear about Shawn. Shawn's journey to Japan started with his CELTA course in Toronto where I was lucky to be his tutor. I was lucky to see you both so happy in Kishiwada. Then your marriage and Rick and the exciting adventure to the US.
We can never know how things will turn out yet you and Shawn and Rick tackled everything with unerring optimism. I hope this optimism keeps you buoyed through these hard times without Shawn in body.
Wherever you end up, you know that you have a friend in a far off land wishing you well.
~
Alex,
Brisbane, Australia
January 05, 2011
Shawn was a big part of my first semester (this past semester) at GSC. Our study group met two days a week with him for hours. After taking the COMPASS test I ran back to tell him I passed and gave him a big hug. We talked about argyle sweaters....I was shocked and so sad to hear this. I had gone to the study room to say hello this morning, and was told the news. My prayers go out to this sweet man's family. You will be missed Shawn.
~
Madi,
Clarkesville, Georgia
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=3#ixzz1XNaoWnID
January 31, 2011
For several years in the nineties Shawn was a regular member of the Bluegrass Chess Club (including being its president), but more importantly, a member of the Perkins Chess Club. Every Wednesday after the chess club met, a group of us descended upon Perkins Restaurant. They allowed us use of their little room, and there we debated philosophy, politics, and science late into the night as the young and idealistic love to do. Having no power, the benefits of the Perkins Chess Club were not much on formation of policy, but substantial on the social - we became friends.
And we discussed math. At the time the Monty Hall problem was getting a lot of attention due to an article written by Marilyn Savant (the lady with the world’s highest IQ). One night we were talking about it, not very precisely, and Shawn picked up a bunch of packets of sugar and flapped them back and forth. It was his manner to never thrust himself into a conversation. He was always gentle and deliberate. When he had drawn our attention he said, “I thought a lot about the problem in college….and about how it was not intuitive.”
He laid out ten packets of sugar on the table, tore off a piece of napkin and said, “Let’s examine the problem.” He chose a participant, hid the piece of napkin under one sugar packet, had him try to guess where it was, and proceeded. One reason the problem fools so many people, including mathematicians, is that our brains perceive the choice of switching to be imperceptivity different when run numerous times, because frequently we find the prize behind the door, no matter which choice we make. However, when Shawn went through the problem with ten doors, instead of the three the problem uses, the frequency of success fail away, and it became more intuitively obvious that which choice we make does matter.
This gentle approach was characteristic of Shawn’s approach to life and contrasted substantially with many of our vitriolic spoken beliefs. It was probably this that made him so popular with a group of high school kids, drawing them into the club. Or perhaps it was his adeptness at skateboarding, or his quirkiness - throughout his car were planted little model toy cows.
Shawn often had a different slant on things than others. I remember his reply one time, which may have been the wisest thing I’ve heard at the Perkins Chess Club. I asked him, “If that is your position, how can you change the world?” He said, “I have no hopes of moving the world 180 degrees. If I can move it but 5 degrees, I would consider that a success.”
Wise words. I remember him as thoughtful and delightful. But his dominant characteristic I believe was gentleness. It is a rather rare trait. I can’t think of that many people I can describe as gentle. A gentle and good, wise man.
~
Billy Woodward,
Lexington, Kentucky
|
Contact Me
January 20, 2011
Brenda, Shigemi, and Rick--
Everyone at the Writers Workshop at Illinois is shocked and saddened to hear about Shawn's death. He worked here for several years during his Master's program. He was an excellent tutor with a loyal following of writers. But we will mostly remember him for his bright colors and happy smile. We loved working with him. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Libbie Morley
~
Libbie Morley,
Urbana, Illinois
January 11, 2011
Dear Shigemi and Rick,
I just learned about Shawn's passing. I was fortunate enough to be friends with Shawn while he worked here at Illinois in the Writer's Workshop. He always had a smile and brightened everyone's day with a knowing, funny comment. My condolences to both of you. Shawn will certainly never be forgotten by those of us who were lucky enough to know him. He was one of those people who made the world a brighter and more enjoyable place. My thoughts are with during this difficult time. Shawn will certainly not be forgotten.
~
Charles Terry,
Champaign, Illinois
January 09, 2011
Dear Shigemi and Rick,
Shawn was truly on of the most interesting, loyal, and unique people that I ever met (I don't think I will ever meet anyone else who's hobbies are rubix cube and skateboarding). He was a great listener and a great friend. It was too short, but I feel very lucky to have known him.
I hope that I get the chance to see Rick again someday and tell him about what a great Dad he had. Until then, you and Rick will be in my thoughts and close to my heart.
~
Devin Smyth,
Kashima City, Japan
January 08, 2011
Dear Brenda, Shigemi, and Rick,
I just found out about Shawn's passing today. Shawn and I were friends at Indiana Univeristy & were in Germany together. Shawn was truly a wonderful friend, someone that I have continued to be deeply fond of throughout my whole life. I am very saddened that he is gone. The world has lost one of the great ones. Please know that I am thinking of you during this difficult time & keeping you close to my heart.
~
Jan Wilson,
Austin, Texas
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752&page=2#ixzz1XNawgWgB
September 07, 2011
Dear Brenda, I discovered yesterday about Shawn's passing. I am deeply shocked. He will always be in my thoughts, he has always been. Take care and feel free to contact me. I'd be glad to send you some pictures of his years in Europe, if you wish to. Best wishes to Shigemi and Rick.
~
Sara Lorenzini,
Trento, Italy
|
Contact Me
August 25, 2011
i read shawns book in he sounds like a great guy. im a single mother of 1 beautiful baby gurl in my boyfriends middle name is fitzpatrick in that attracked me to this site. im also a photographer i have a studio in winter park florida. send me some pictures i can fix them up for you. my name is sabrina hernandez
4052 east maryland place
casselberry fl. 32707
3212510172
jordan0442@ymail.com
~
sabrina hernandez,
casselberry, Florida
|
Contact Me
February 02, 2011
Shawn was a wonderful person, and I am so saddened by this news. I met Shawn in Lexington, Kentucky in 1999, around the time I was graduating from high school. He was living at home, paying off school loans, and delivering pizza in a car that had a pastoral scene with cows on the dashboard. We met at the local chess club, and Shawn fell right in with a group of my friends, despite being eight years older than any of us. I think it was his quirky, slightly goofy sense of humor, his kind and non-judgmental manner, and perhaps his having a bit of free time on his hands. Our group already had two Sean's at the time, whom we called Scrawny Sean and Brawny Sean due to their respective girths. Shawn F became Pawny Shawn, thanks to his fondness for chess. His game improved a lot while I knew him, and I remember that in one of the last games we played, he defeated me soundly with a line that I still don't know how to refute.
Shortly after I went to college, Shawn moved to Japan, and we kept in touch only sporadically through email. I did see him once back in Lexington in the past couple years, and met Shigemi and Rick, which I'm glad about. Shigemi, Rick, and Brenda, you all are in my thoughts now.
Gabe Popkin
~
Gabriel Popkin,
Brentwood, Maryland
February 02, 2011
Shawn was a gentle soul with high intelligence. I was always impressed by his move to Japan; it seemed courageous and inspired. He will be missed.
~
Fred Dowell,
Lexington, Kentucky
January 31, 2011
Dear Shigemi and Rick
I am so sorry to hear about Shawn.
He was so nice and loved you very much.
I think he is in your mind and you can talk with him anytime you want.
He hopes your happiness. And me too.
Take care of youself.
~
Hiromi Miyake,
Uji, Kyoto
Read more: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/kentucky/guestbook.aspx?n=shawn-fitzpatrick&pid=147328752#ixzz1XNb437ig
