Andy Sasiadek

Andy Sasiadek (Science Team Manager and Biology Course Leader)
died on  Saturday 23 May 2009 aged 51. Andy had been playing cricket when he suffered a suspected heart attack. He leaves his wife, Theresa,  and 2 children. Andy joined the college when it opened in 1991 and throughout his many years with us  worked tirelessly for his students and his colleagues, showing the mark of an outstanding professional. In addition many will recall his tremendous wit and will have enjoyed his much-valued friendship. He is going to be missed very much indeed by us all.  

Funeral Arrangements

Andy's funeral was held on Wednesday 10 June 2009.

Stories & Memories

About a week before our recent inspection, during the Easter holidays I was roaming the College checking displays and thinking that I would ‘calm’ any staff that I bumped into. Andy was in his lab, just finishing an extra session with some students. As they left the room they all thanked him and he joked with many of them. He then turned to me and said – “don’t worry Paul, inspection will be fine, I’ve spoken to my sister who is an inspector and it’s all under control”.
Andy was kind enough to make me feel better, funny enough to make me smile and considerate enough to be giving Students extra help.

I will really miss him.

Paul Wakeling
Principal
20th May 2009

Andy was a kind and decent man to have as a boss for my time at HSFC. He helped me become more confident as a Biology teacher and I have so much respect for how he always had time to help his team and the students.

He’ll be very much missed.

Jessica Lawley
27th May 2009

To say that Andy will be missed in the Science department is a massive understatement. We are still deeply in shock and are very sad that we won’t be able to talk to him again. He had the kind of personality where he cheered everyone up as soon as he came into the room and we spent lots of enjoyable times together “having a good laugh”. He was also brilliant with all his students, and he made the Applied Science a brilliant course and he made me proud to teach the course. He is irreplaceable!

Rest in peace, miss you loads.

Michelle Benjamin
xx
29th May 2009

I knew Andy for 18 years. I worked along side him and soon learnt to respect him. He frequently made me smile. His loss is a shock and very upsetting. The only consolation is the fact we worked with him and have some truly wonderful memories of that.

I will miss him.

John Davis
29th May 2009

My memories of Andy are of one of life's consummate gentlemen .. always smiling and forever willing to put a humorous spin on anything...and a different kind of spin on a cricket ball. I remember viewing your photos of your travels to the Antipodes some years ago and of course I will always remember our cricket match against the students last year, which we won, much to your satisfaction, considering the grief the students had given you in lessons prior to the game. Our last conversation was about the number of wickets you had so far taken this season with you demonstrating with considerable glee your effective (or so you claimed) spinner's action. I am sorry that I didn't in the end bring my son down to your beloved club in Southend. I shall miss your smiling face in the corridors of HSFC.

Rest peacefully my old friend ......Lucien Taylor
1 June 200

So saddened by this news. Andy will be remembered by me for his wonderful sense of humour, his kindness over the years and his lovely smile. A very special person, teacher and colleague.

 I will miss you around the place, Andy.

Kim Blythe
1st June 2009

Andy was one of the select group of us called the ‘91ers’ I shall remember him with great affection – as someone who always had a ready smile, was supportive, co-operative, a great teacher and loved by the students. He was always ‘up for anything’ and did many things to help with charity work of the students. He was a real ‘natural’ and I will miss him.

Paul Nutter
1st June 2009

Andy was such a positive person. He was always smiling and happy and I remember when I started in ’91 as an NQT he was a great role model. I will miss his warmth and great sense of humour.

Viv Higgins
1st June 2009

I remember Andy always as the cheerful person you would like to bump into in the corridor – even whilst dashing between classes. Andy always has a little joke and greeted you with a lovely smile. A positive, happy person who really cared about students.

Erica Jones
1st June 2009

Andy was extremely helpful to me when first moving to Southend. He not only introduced me to the cricket club, but also provided lifts into work. I enjoyed our chats about sport and Australia and always thoroughly enjoyed his company. Traveling along the A127 was fun with Andy! On our daughter’s birth, Andy kindly gave Martha a teddy, which she still takes for walks in her buggy today!

A lovely man.
Stuart, Sarah & Martha
1st June 2009

His smiling face and sense of humour will be missed. He brightened up the main office as he passed through. A teacher who inspired and who was really ‘one in a million’.

Ann Brown
1st June 2009

I started working with Andy last year when I first ventured into Science teaching. He gave me a very warm welcome into the department and put me at ease straight away with his friendly manner and big smile. Whenever I was stressed about anything he would always reassure me that it would be all right – and it was! I was very saddened to hear of his passing away, and I know he will be greatly missed by many staff and students.

Liz Sheppard (Media and Science)
Xx
1st June 2009

Really good memories of Andy. Always a nice smile, always a good sense of humour and always a really nice bloke.

Carol Wall
1st June 2009

Andy encouraged me to become a subject learning coach, shared experiences throughout our training and together we worked with Jill to build our signature Practice and Learning Lounge (formerly Learning and Lunch). I will miss him personally and he will be missed from our team – he was ‘The Scientist’ bringing logic and rational thought. Our last conversation was on the 14th of May when he beamed his congratulations on my new appointment as Team Leader. His genuine encouragement will remain with me always.

Rest in peace, Andy.

Sue B
1st June 2009

Andy was one of the friendliest members of staff here at the College. He was always kind and helpful whenever I worked with him. I already miss his presence here at College.

Joanna Creedon
1st June 2009

My memory of Andy is just that he was a really lovely friendly person with a ready smile. Saddened and shocked at his sudden and early passing. God bless your family at this sad time and always rest in peace.

Diane Johnson
1st June 2009

I have worked with Andy since 1991. His legacy at HSFC is his contribution to the establishment and success of the College. In recent years he has been a member of my Tutor Team – always supportive and complimentary to me. Andy has been a dear friend to me in College. I shall miss our frequent conversations in corridors, the Biology prep room and his Tutorial Base room, and our shuffling strolls together as we headed to different locations in College.
A glance towards the prep room when passing confirms our sense of loss and sadness. Andy was professional, caring towards colleagues and students and unassuming. A true ‘gentleman’ in every sense of the word.

Frank McKeown
1st June 2009

Although I only worked with Andy over the last three years he made such an impression on me. We went though so much together, it feels like. It seems though there is such a huge gap now that he is gone.
Andy was such a good teacher – a real inspiration to all the staff and students, but more than that he was able to help us improve our teaching in a manner that made learning from him a real pleasure.
During the time that things weren’t going so well, when staff felt over worked or stressed Andy’s jokes and ties (Homer Simpson comes to mind) cheered everyone up.
I shall miss him in so many ways – I still can’t really believe he’s gone.

John Nolan
1st June 2009

Even though I didn’t know Andy very well I appreciated his Northern charm – we chatted about Manchester! I worked with him once a year for his General Studies lecture – it was filled with humour.
He will be missed.

Caroline Puxley
1st June 2009

You always smiled, called us ‘cherub’, gonna miss you!!
God bless.

Sue Thorogood
1st June 2009

I’m Sue Redding in security he didn’t know me that well, but I knew him, he had a lovely smile and good sense of humour. I know the students always spoke good of him. I was very shocked to hear of his death and also for his wife and children and all of his family. He will be sadly missed.
Rest in peace Andy – God bless

Suzanne Redding
1st June 2009

I have worked with Andy since ’91. Since day one we talked football. I will miss our chats on a Monday morning when we talked ‘results’. I will always think of Andy when the City results come in.
He will be sadly missed.

Liz Beaumont
1st June 2009

Although we were in different departments and had little academic contact, we did meet up most days. Andy and I shared the same car park and would often have a short conversation about the weather or how close we were to the end of term. I along with many other members of staff will miss his smile and his friendly outlook on life.
He is very sadly missed and my thoughts go out to you. I will always remember him and he will not be forgotten.

Joe Roukin
1st June 2009

Andy taught me Biology in my A2 year of my A- levels but was always there to help even in my first year, when he was not even my teacher. Andy was a very special person to me and to many of the students he taught and came into contact with him. His death still remains a massive shock to us all. Andy had a larger than life personality, coupled with cheeky smile and troublesome laugh. His great sense of humour made it easy for Andy to relate to people of all ages and impact on so many of his students. Andy took his job as an educator as more than a chore and embarked on it with great integrity and dedication. He was diligent, innovative and made unprecedented sacrifices to bring out the best in his students across the Biology, even if you were not his student. Andy would be sorely missed and greatly remembered as the man who made learning fun and success achievable. Rest in perfect peace Andy. We miss you loads.

God Bless you.

Dorothy Abiola
1st June 2009

Andy’s passing is a tragic loss. He was a caring teacher and popular with his students. He will be sadly missed.

Jane Buckle
1st June 2009

Andy, you were a big hit with our department as you always joined in our Stubbers events. Your humour and good spirit is your legacy to us all.
With love

Joan Barry
3rd June 2009

Andy’s genuine smile and enthusiasm for teaching were constants in changing times. His contribution to the Subject Learning Coach team was invaluable – especially to those of us who worked closely with him from the start of this project. His cry of ‘shall I bring the mini white boards boss?’ will be with me always...

Andy we will miss you.

Jill Wilkens
5th June 2009

Andy, I cannot believe that I am writing this.....but I must say something about you.

It was a pleasure and a privilege to have worked with a person such as you. I always found you so inspiring and lots of fun...you always had so much patience. At a time when I needed encouragement you were always there with a smile. During my spell abroad you have continued to help me and every piece of advice has been so appreciated. I enjoyed working as part of your team and was so looking forward to working with you once again. Alas this is not to be, but one thing I do hope is that you realised how special a person and how highly thought of you were. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family at this very sad time. God bless Andy.

Nichola Gentle (one of the ‘cherubs’)
5th June 2009

Dearest Andy,

It has been a pleasure to work with you, always a smile on your face.

I loved being able to convince you all the girls in psych wanted you to come Stubbers and each year you bought a ticket.
You were patient, calm and kind and I loved your MRSA lecture for General Studies, you had half the audience feeling sick.

You will be sadly missed but not forgotten

God Bless

Lisa Barwick
5th June 2009

My memories of Andy: humming to himself around the pigeon holes; swapping sabbatical anecdotes; sanguine sangfroid; affectionate irony; sceptical but not cynical; generous with his time.

Dave Thompson
5th June 2009

I just happened to walk past you on Friday and you were outside your workroom chatting to a couple of students, helping them with their work. How fitting this memory is of your professionalism as a teacher.
My heart goes out to all your family.

Chris Patient
5th June 2009

Andy,
You were always a cheerful face.  Sorry I bored you with the escapades of my son but we both had a good laugh about it.
You will be missed by so many.

Laura Goates
5th June 2009

Andy,
Will miss our chats about teaching and how science and maths are sometimes different to other subjects.  You were always cheerful and positive no matter what.  Remember chatting with you and Sue B. when she was appointed to her new post.  Thank you also for your support and reassurance when I was training to be a SLC.  You put everything into perspective.
Will miss you.

Sue J.
5th June 2009

My dear Andy, my friend and boss for 18 years. I miss you so much, I miss you so much!

I will never, ever forget you, and thousands like me will never forget you either, for your work, your kindness and for just being there for everyone.  "Our Andy"

Will always keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Bernadette xx
8th June 2009

After joining, it didn’t take me long to discover that Andy was the heart and soul of the Biology department. He quite often held court in the Biology workroom, laughing, joking, supporting, teasing and generally giving everyone the benefit of his considerable wit. Andy’s presence is being missed every day, the department seems smaller somehow. Although Andy is missed, his larger than life personality will not be forgotten.

Cherie Schrod
8th June 2009

Andy

I only worked with you for a year. I wish it could have been longer. You made me smile from my first day and I’ll miss our chats at break time.
I remember we joked about the ‘wow factor’ only a few weeks ago, but wow Andy you really did have that special something your colleagues and students will miss.
God bless you.

Teresa Gladwin
8th June 2009

Dearest Andy,

This is the last thing I ever expected to write.  I want you to know what a dear and valued friend you were, always there with your smiles and jokes to lighten any situation.

You are the Biology department.   The person we all turned to whenever we were unsure of anything.  You were always there with words of wisdom, encouragement and support.  The GURU!!  Remember when you called yourself that, and then the BBC named their educational website “AS Guru”.    Even they must have recognised your great commitment to education!!   What a hole there is now.  How empty we felt after the AS Biology exam without you there discussing the question paper and asking us what comments we wanted you to take back to the examiners meeting. 

Andy, what an inspirational teacher you were for both students and all those around you.  You always had time for everyone.  For years I have watched you and tried to learn how to deal with colleagues and students the way you did, being able to get the best out of everyone.  I still have a great deal to learn, you have left us far too soon.
I miss our early morning chats, when we put the college and the world to rights, and how can I ever teach about sense organs without hearing you say “eye, eye, eye what do we have ear then?”  No matter how many years I heard that (and it has been a great many), it always brought a smile to my face. 

You are the Chief cherub.   Rest in peace Andy, you are greatly missed.

 Kaye xx
8th June 2009

My memory of Andy is one of a gentle, kind, caring man with a great sense of humour. He was a true gentleman who always had time for others no matter what. I still can’t believe that I won’t see his smiling face around the College. God bless you and your family.  Rest in peace Andy, you will be greatly missed...but never forgotten.

Laura Groves
10th June 2009

Students and Staff who wish to add their condolences should email them to webmaster@havering-sfc.ac.uk