Jozef Stasiak, Falmouth appeal to bikers for funeral escort

Speaking to the Packet today his mum Heidi, aged 41, from Carnon Downs said her son Jozef Stasiak loved motorbikes and his hearse would be a motorbike and sidecar.

The family want as many bikers to turn up as possible to escort him to his funeral at Budock Church on Christmas Eve.

“He loved motorbikes and I just want to make sure it is the most special day it can be,” said Heidi.

“We want as many people as we can to join. We know it’s Christmas Eve and people have plans but it’s just part of Jozef. If you had plans he’d change them.

“So many people did love him they all just totally adored him because of his smile and his zest for life. It could be really sad in hospital but he could still smile as well.”

Jozef switches on Falmouth Christmas lights in 2019 helped by his mum Heidi and sister Izabella (Image: Packet Newspapers)

Jozef died on Wednesday, December 14 after a long stay in hospital. He also leaves behind his three sisters Izabella, 13, Faith, 21, Rhyse, 19, and his dad Dominik, 42.

He was born with a life limiting illness but that didn’t stop him from going to St Mary’s Catholic School in Falmouth his whole school life. He left in July in preparation to start at Penryn College this year, but sadly this was not to be.

“Jozef loved his friends and loved being at school,” said Heidi.

Jozef with his friends at St Mary's in 2015 (Image: Staff)

He also loved animals and his parents and siblings would smuggle their smaller pets into see him in hospital despite it not being allowed, including a rabbit and on one occasion a litter of puppies!

In 2019 residents voted in overwhelming numbers for Jozef to be the community's choice to switch on Falmouth's Christmas lights.

“I think it was the most number of votes the council had ever had,” said Heidi. “He always wanted to be famous and he was so cheeky and I don’t know if he brought out the cheekiness in me but we almost took an ambulance to take him home once when the drivers couldn’t do it!”

His funeral will involve a Christingle with Christingles made by Jozef’s mum, his sisters and his carers. “The service is going to be as child friendly as possible,” said Heidi.

She said that the least time Jozef spent in hospital was during the pandemic and they were able to spend quality time together, but her happiest memories were of when they took him to see London.

“I was so glad we were able to do that,” she said.

She says her life feels empty now her son is gone but she has to keep going for the sake of her other children.

“But what I will remember is that he was just so happy, so cheeky. There have been so many comments on Facebook saying how much they loved his smile,” she said.

The organiser of the Martin Jennings Memorial Run, David Saunby, said he had already had a lot of interest from bikers who wanted to escort the motorbike combo hearse after posting it on his Facebook page.

Falmouth and Penryn Funeral Directors also put out an appeal on their Facebook page.

The hearse will leave Jozef’s home in Killi Court, Carnon Downs at 9am on December 24 and will meet the bikers at the entrance to Carnon Downs Camp Site at the top of the Carnon Downs bypass at 9.15am.

They will leave at 9.40am following the motorcycle hearse combination on a tour of Falmouth before arriving at Budock Church for the service at 11am. It is the same church where his twin brother is buried, who only survived three and a half months.

A joint service will be held with Rev Geoffrey Bennett and Father Brian Kenwrick from St Mary’s Catholic Church.