Remembering
our friend Patrick Sanders
1976 - 2017
The Quire community was deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of Patrick Sanders in January this year.
Patrick was a much valued and loved member of Quire in our early days, and was our Chairperson for nearly 2 years between 2008-2010.
However simple facts like that don't capture the role that Patrick played, nor the impact that he had on Quire's development. Patrick was passionate about community, about equality, about getting involved and pushing and agitating for change, qualities he brought to his time in Quire in abundance.
A particular memory of Patrick's time with us is when he suggested 'If You Were Gay' as a song for our upcoming concert.
Not only was its simple message (if you were gay, that'd be ok) bang on message, but Patrick also took on the role of Nicky, one of
the puppets who sang the song in the Broadway musical from which the song was taken,
Avenue Q. Patrick brought his characteristic
creativity to portraying the lovable and supportive Nicky, not a million miles away from the lovable and supportive Patrick.
Patrick's passing leaves gaps in so many places. Colin, his husband, his family and friends, and also in Quire. Northern Ireland is a poorer place for not having Patrick in it.
One of his legacies was to encourage Quire to sing A Love That Will Never Grow Old, the theme from Brokeback Mountain. We never got round to it when Patrick was singing with us. We've picked up his suggestion and performed the beautiful song in recent years, and we will remember Patrick when we sing it in the future:
"Go to sleep, May your sweet dreams come true"
