The parents of a little boy who died just three days after his first birthday have thanked all those who took a moment to pay their respects after his funeral procession ‘shut down Margate.’
Lauren Parrish and Jake Squire took son Archie to the QEQM Hospital on November 21st after the little one became unwell. Tragically, he passed away on the morning of November 23rd.
Archie’s funeral was held on Friday with a procession travelling from Quex Park, through Birchington and Westgate and along Margate seafront before reaching Thanet Crematorium.
The funeral was led by a carriage with four white horses and followed with two limos, a custom Transit, a fire engine and two hearses full of flowers. Many residents stood outside to pay respects as the procession passed by.
Archie’s coffin was carried into Thanet crematorium by his parents and the service included his favourite songs – Sherry by the Four Seasons, the Fireman Sam theme song, lullaby You Are My Sunshine, My G by Aitch and Ed Sheeran followed by a picture screen and ending with In The Night Garden.
Some 100 people attended the service. A wake was held at Manston Social Club.
Jake said: “We are overwhelmed with the outcome and how many people actually came to see him off.
“Archie literally shut down Margate. He touched the hearts of many.
“The funeral directors said they’d never seen so many teary passers-by, even those in cars who stopped to look. This is the biggest funeral they had done in 30 years.
“We thank Margate for their lovely pictures and helping us send our son/brother/grandson and best friend off as best as we could.
“We also thank our family and friends for all their support and the biggest thank you to Shena, Josh and all the staff at Twyman and Holmes funeral directors for all they have done over the last two months.
“We can’t put into words how amazing these two have been.”
Lauren, 21, Jake, 24 and their baby son Albie live in Dover but have been staying in Margate to be close to family and friends.
Talking to The Isle of Thanet News last month, Jake said: “Archie was a happy little lad who was always smiling and loved to chew on his little sponge and brush when finally his first tooth came through around nine months old.
“Archie always loved to dance especially to the Fireman Sam theme tune, the Sherry song by the Four Seasons, or My G by Aitch & Ed Sheeran.”
He added: ““Archie will be sadly missed forever and leave a void in our broken hearts that we can never refill. His nanny and pops couldn’t have been prouder grandparents and Archie helped them both in more ways than he would ever know. He was the focus of their world.”
