'His smile lit up the room': Family tribute to popular 18-year-old boxer 'Tom the Bomb' after sudden death

Thomas Thompson, from Ash Crescent in Parkside, Seaham, died on Sunday, September 13, leaving his family devastated.

In a show of respect for the former Seaham Trinity and Seaham High School student, his friends and family turned their social media pages blue, decorating them with the message “TT” and a heart in an outpouring of love for him.

Thomas became an uncle two weeks before his death after his sister Billie-Jo, 17, welcomed Bryleigh-Rose into the world.

He also leaves dad Michael, 38, and his partner Stacie Gibson, 34, brother Ryan, 19, and two younger sisters, as well as his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A keen boxer and gym enthusiast, he trained at Spartans in Eastlea and was known as ‘Tom the Bomb’. He also loved watching Sunderland AFC and playing games of football with friends.

He had also been a member of Seaham Army Cadets.

His funeral will be on Friday, September 25, at St John’s Church at 12.30pm, with his family and Kenneth Taylor Funeral Director asking people to line Parkside Crescent from 12.10pm to pay their respects.

Stacie said: “He was a cheeky chappie and it was just his smile, it just lit up a room.

"He was known as ‘Tom the Bomb’ and would joke he was the ‘hardest in Ash’, he was so funny.

"He just loved everybody and everybody loved Thomas.

"We want to thank everybody in Seaham, everyone has pulled together, and we have had so many flowers and cards, so we want to say thank you for the support, it has been unreal.

"He will be so very sadly missed.”

The Shaw Trust garden centre, where Thomas spent a time working, is among those who have shared tributes to him following his death, sharing the post: "He was a much loved and liked young man and was a big part of the team at the centre, respected by all the staff and service users, a joy to work with.

"His cheeky smile will be a miss to everyone.”

Thomas died in Seaham in non-suspicious circumstances, with Sunderland’s coroner's office due to open his inquest at 1pm on Monday, September 28.

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