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Family’s tribute to their beloved Theo Kawala
Cecile and Herve Kawala have paid tribute to their son Theo. Picture: Alan Storer/Peterborough ET
THE family of a Peterborough teenager found dead in the River Nene have paid a heartfelt tribute to their “angel”.
Theo Kawala (16) went missing on February 18 prompting a search by the police, volunteers, friends and wellwishers.
The upsurge in emotion from the city, which took Theo to its heart, provided comfort for his family during the difficult weeks when he was missing and could not be found.
The popular teenager lived with his parents Herve and Cecile and sisters Adeline (19) and Juliette (12) on the Sugar Way estate.
Herve, an engineer at Perkins Engines, and Cecile, a teaching assistant at the King’s School, paid tribute to their son in a joint statement.
They said: “Theo was a beloved son and fantastic brother to Adeline and Juliette.
“Theo was a such a good boy, funny, happy and very easy to live with.
“He was very attentive to other people’s feelings, making sure not to hurt them.
“We have had so much support in the last few weeks and we want to deeply thank our family, friends of ours and Theo’s, neighbours, colleagues from Perkins Engines, the King’s School, Goldsborough Home Care, Jack Hunt School, the Salvation Army and Peterborough United especially Craig Mackail-Smith and Gabriel Zakuani and the supporters.
“Theo enjoyed living in the UK but he will rest in his beloved homeland.
“Theo wanted to help others and he was registered with ‘VInvolved’.
“Theo is an angel now.”
His younger sister Juliette (12) has helped support the family throughout the last few weeks.
She said: “I love Theo and I miss him.”
And his older sister Adeline (19), who helped Theo’s friends in some of their many leaflet campaigns to try to raise awareness and encourage people to come forward with information to trace Theo, also paid tribute to him.
She said: “There are no words to describe how I feel. The only comfort I have is that Theo was always happy and optimistic.
“I also draw comfort from the number of people who have supported us and share our pain. He will never know just how much people love him and his memory will live on forever.
“Farewell Theo, but not goodbye.”
Theo was last seen on February 18 on CCTV in Bridge Street heading towards Town Bridge.
His disappearance prompted one of the biggest searches in the city’s history, spurred on by help from hundreds of friends.
The police were supported by Cambridgeshire Search and Rescue as well as appeals by Peterborough United Football Club.
Star striker Craig Mackail-Smith and defender Gabriel Zakuani both backed the search, sending messages to their thousands of followers on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter.
Last night, the Posh players wore black arm bands at their televised game against MK Dons in memory of Theo who was a season ticket holder at London Road.
Since his death was confirmed on Friday, Peterborough Cathedral has dedicated a candle to him in a side chapel.
The family are planning to hold a ceremony at the Salvation Army Citadel in Peterborough before a second memorial service and interment at the family tomb in Brittany.
Theo’s funeral will be held on April 4 at 10am at the Citadel, his family have said that all are welcome.
Last night Mr and Mrs Kawala heard that a post mortem examination had revealed that the cause of Theo’s death had been drowning.
Grandparents’ special message
THEO’S family moved to Peterborough 10 years ago but they still have relatives in France.
Grandparents Daniel and Solange Kawala, along with other family members, have been in the UK supporting loved ones.
Mr and Mrs Kawala wrote an emotional tribute to their grandson in French, which was translated into English for the Evening Telegraph.
They wrote: “Theo is now in a place we wish is sweet, bright and full of joy because he was joy personified.
“He would never stop making us smile, even when we were feeling a bit sad.
“The times we spent with him during his too short life have always been moments of happiness and pride for having such a beautiful grandson, kind and full of promises of a life rich in hope.
“A part of us has been taken away from us and right now we can only feel pain and unfairness.
“But every time we see his smile again, every time we will think how he loved to laugh, how he loved to make others laugh and how he loved stand-up comedians.
“Every time we think of him, he will help us going forward and most of all to love each other as much as we have loved him, as much as we love him and will love him.”
Theo will be buried at the family tomb in Brittany.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
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Comments
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Kingston
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 03:16 PMComment removed by moderator
eggcraft
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 02:31 PMTheo was so obviously loved by all who new him. He will always be in your hearts and your memories of him will stay with you forever. Take each day as it comes and you will get through. It is hard at times, but just think of his smile and remember his laugh. Time is a great healer. My thoughts are with you all
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