Crumlin family pay tribute to 'gent who loved Dr Who' (From South Wales Argus)

Crumlin family pay tribute to 'gent who loved Dr Who'

8:10am Thursday 4th June 2009 in News By Alison Sanders

THE FAMILY of a 26-year-old man who died tragically at his Crumlin home said he will be remembered as an “impeccably dressed gentleman” and for his love of Star Wars and Doctor Who.

Seb Neale, who was diagnosed with asperger's syndrome, a mild form of autism, at the age of 18, died at his Oakland Terrace home on Sunday, May 17, after banging his head.

The former Crosskeys college student, had been at a barbeque with friends the night before and went back to his flat with a friend.

The friend left as he had work the next day and Mr Neale’s last Facebook entry was made at 4.50am.

His mother Jennifer Neale said the cause of his death has not yet been confirmed and she does not know how he cut his head.

Mrs Neale, who was away in Bournemouth at the time with her husband Steve and five-year-old son Sonny, came back to their Gwendoline Road home in Risca in the early hours of Sunday, May 31 where police broke the news.

Mrs Neale said her son was a lovely boy with an infectious laugh.

She said he always used to like to wear a suit and described him as a “loveable gentleman.”

She said: “He was eccentric and was very much his own person.

“He wasn’t like the people you would try to avoid. He was a bit quirky but that made him unique.

His love of Doctor Who, Star Wars and Ghostbusters led him to make film prop replicas which he made for friends and also sold on the website Ebay.

Just under 400 friends joined a memorial group on social networking site Facebook.

Gareth Nevins left the following tribute on the site: “Seb you were a good mate and there was never a dull moment with you around."

Mr Neale’s family have organised for music from Star Wars, Dr Who and Ghostbusters to be played at his funeral and some of her son’s friends have made him a coffin which looks life a tardis.

The funeral will be held at Gwent Crematorium tomorrow at 2pm.

The family have requested family flowers only and for donations to be made to the National Autistic Society.