Sean Van Rooyen
Toronto, d.23.May.2022, died while
working on a high rise tower
Sean Van Rooyen was a veteran Toronto bike messenger and iron
worker who died on the job while working on a high rise tower in
British Columbia. He had a fearless sense of adventure matched
by his loyalty and friendship. He love to ride. He loved to race
and he loved to work high in the sky.
·
It’s been an exceptionally hard month. So many deaths. First Sean
Van Rooyen died tragically in a workplace fall. Then Paul Taylor
died in a car crash. Ron Dunn fought a hard battle against cancer
but passed away earlier this week in hospital. Then Kevin Walsh was
stolen from us by a hit and run driver on Tuesday night leaving
behind his wife Lisa and their two young kids. Andy Duncan
passed peacefully at home last night after a years long battle with
cancer. My heart is so heavy. Hug your loved ones. We truly
have no idea how much time any of us has left. If you’re reading
this, know that I love you and you’re important to me. Stay safe.
Find reasons to smile. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Most of it
doesn’t matter in the end - Leah Hollinsworth
You were steadfast,loyal and tenacious as they come. Your moral
compass always at true north which sometimes made it hard for you to
find peace in a world as corrupted as this one. I'll cherish our
friendship always and I hope you found some peaceful place to rest
Buddy. RIP VANRUIN
I am in absolute awe , to wake up today and find out a fellow
BROTHER has PASSED away this weekend, Sean Van Rooyen my
brother u died doing what you loved best, ironworking you Madman,
nothing but respect, I always spoke highly of you and cherish
the days we lived on Florence together, nothing stopped you
bro, you were a Beast, Thank you for all the memories
Brother, see you on the other side - Paul JR Gagne
Fawkkkkk I just got back in town a true legend that can never be
replaced let me know when and where ill be there ❤️ - Carlos Duncan
Wow this is a very sad day. I'm going drop a line and have a few
beers at the river and reflect. Ill never forget his smile and lust
for life. I'm gutted - Steve Mowbray
That is terrible terrible news. Sending my sincere sympathies to his
friends and family - Tara Skakie
Unbearable tragic and gut wrenching sad news I’m reading for such a
good man and veteran IW who loved his work and life to end in such a
way , this comes as such a shock as I believe he left the trade a
few years back because fed up with working with men with major
substance abuse issues on the job making thing completely unsafe
conditions yet I guess his love for the game brought him back . God
bless him of his journey that we all must make some day. God bless
you brother on your journey we all must make one day 🇨🇦🥃🥃RIP
Sean Van Rooyen - Brian McEwan
OMG! That’s such terrible news. My condolences to his family. He was
such a great person - Joe Hendry
Such sad news. Hard to believe. RIP. - Paul Stark
That's terrible news. I'm so sad to hear this.- Sarah Hood
So sad about this news. We were tight back in the courier days and
rode together lots. Best memory is crossing the finish line together
at the Hell of the North after a brutal race. Thanks for everything
Sean, and Godspeed ❤️ - Ben Scott
Rest in Power Sean 🖤 All the memories came back. The Mess times,
all the parties and races, and CMWC’98 in DC when we stayed at
Sean’s dad’s property…and Big Gay Al singing “Sean van Ruin”. Eh
-.Tomek Malewicz
It hits hard, we were neighbours in Parkdale and crossed paths
frequently. Sean and I recently got into a deep conversation at 2am
on a Friday night, maybe two or three weeks ago, him from his 2fl
balcony and me on the sidewalk, and it left a mark. I'm gutted. -
Radek Rajkowski
Sean Van Rooyen RIP, I only have fond thoughts of you, that I will
never let go, my condolences to your family and friends, you will be
greatly missed friend ❤️ - Chrissy Sonier
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Sean Van Rooyen you were a special blunt fucken soul. You were told
you never walk ever again. Shattered your ankles and defied the odds
and walked again and on top of that you got back to being able to
connect structural steel. The baddest, most methodical job only a
select few belong to that canopy and I consider you one of the top
ten in the industry. Your determination, will to not quit is
something I will always remember you for. You were never the most
politically correct dudes In the group but that’s why we loved ya.
Raw is real and real is raw homie!
See ya In the next dimension my friend! - Jeff Brooks
·
Rest In Peace my friend Sean Van Rooyen. Sean was a great ironworker
, he must of worked on over 50 major buildings in Toronto and thru
out Canada, I’m proud to have worked with him at BMO field as well
as McDonald block in Toronto - Donald Fortin
He could walk the iron like he was on a Sunday stroll. Good
Ironworker & a good man. - Brad Tennett
When I go - Donna Ashworth
When I go don’t learn to live without me
Just learn to live with my love in a different way.
And if you need to see me close your eyes
Or look in your shadow when the sun shines
I’m there
Sit with me in the quiet and you will know I did not leave
There is no leaving when one soul is blended with another.
When I go don’t learn to live without me
Just learn to look for me in the moments
I’ll be there.
Sean Van Rooyen it’s hard to believe you’ve been done for 7 months
#forever52. As my first Christmas without you approaches I
look back to last year, I am thankful we had one last lovely
Christmas together 🤍 I am learning to look for you in the moments.
Thank you aunt Susan Van Rooyen for the beautiful angel wings and
Lina Fancy for the beautiful wooden box where I keep my VANRUIN
necklace with some of his ashes 🤍
I am blessed with family and friends and appreciate all the love and
support - Kristann Van Rooyen
Sean's Obituary:
Sean Van Rooyen Monday May 23rd 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Sean
David Anthony Van Rooyen. Sean died doing what he loved- working
high in the sky. Be in peace now. Enjoy the eternal sunshine- know
you will be deeply missed by all and that you will never be
forgotten. Sean was a multi-layered being and will be remembered
by many in different ways- A son, a brother, a co-parent for Texas
the Taco Terrier, a loyal friend, an Ironworker and a fierce
member and supporter of Ironworkers Local 721. His mission was to
make the workplace safer for all.He had an adventuresome nature
and had many challenges in his life. We will remember him by his
funny antics (FFS) , his passion for bike riding , his love of a
broad spectrum of (loud) music and his enthusiastic support of the
Toronto Maple Leafs and FC Bayern Munchen.
Sean leaves behind his Father, Lt Col (Ret) Omar Van Rooyen and
Stepmother, Jan of Matthews, NC, US; his mother, Denise Pike Van
Rooyen of Winnipeg, MB, his beloved sister and confidant, Kristann
Van Rooyen of Toronto, ON, his brother and best friend, Scott Van
Rooyen of Winnipeg, MB, his stepbrother, Charles Miller and wife
Stephanie of Charlotte, NC and many family members and friends
across Canada and the United States. A celebration of Life will be
held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada at a future date.
