Saying Good-Bye To Seamus: Family, Friends Mourns Beloved LI Man

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — There are certain people who always make you smile — whose hearts, wide open with friendship and love, instantly welcome friends new and old with a feeling of home.

Friends and family have echoed similar words over the past several days as they gather in grief to say good-bye to Seamus Naughton, 46, of Westhampton Beach, who died Tuesday night.

A GoFundMe page, "Just A Helping Hand When Needed," was created by Barth Torpey of Eastport.

"Unfortunately, Seamus lost his battle with cancer last night with his loving family by his side,' Torpey wrote. "Hhis family would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Seamus will be deeply missed. RIP, big man."

"Seamus (AKA The Big Mayo Man) is someone many of us have the pleasure of knowing and laughing with over the years," Torpey wrote. "It is incredibly sad to have to set up a GoFundMe page for our great friend, who is still with us but losing his battle with cancer after four years. Seamus and his wife Jessica have tried to keep this struggle as private as possible; some people might not know about his current battle."

Seamus, he said, was originally from Foxford, County Mayo in Ireland. He worked for his father's dry cleaning business in Ballina, County Mayo before living in Dublin, England and, eventually, the United States. He settled in the Hamptons, on eastern Long Island, 30 years ago. He started working in landscaping for others before launching his own landscaping company — Foxford Landscaping, where he has had loyal clients for more than 25 years, Torpey said.

"Seamus loved landscaping and being outside. He was never ever cold, even in the worst winters," he added.

"Seamus," he said, "met his wife Jessica Howard more than 20 years ago. He just took a trip to Iceland in September to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. We are all so happy they were able to take this trip because the both of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves and celebrated their love for one another."

Seamus, Torpey said, loves music and has amassed an "incredible" selection of vinyl records. He also spent many hours at the Hampton Theatre Company in Quogue as a sound engineer and set designer and builder.

"He was the behind-the-scenes man who always helped to make performances come off with as much ease as possible. He was dedicated to a place he loved," Torpey said.

Reflecting on a man who touched countless hearts, he added, "When you mentioned Seamus to people, no one really knew his last name; all you had to say was 'the big burly Mayo man' and people knew. Seamus was the guy who was always happy and this touched people. He was especially happy speaking about food and his favorite drinks (wine, whiskey and Guinness). When asked what his favorite part of the trip to Iceland was, he replied — the food."

Seamus has a loving family, five siblings — his sisters Patricia, Julie and Louise and brothers Robbie and Kenneth.

"They have all made their way from California, Connecticut and Ireland to be there for him," Torpey said. "I know so many people are just finding out about this terrible news. Although he is still with us, we are all heartbroken like myself and my wife, Elan, his family and closest friends."

The GoFundMe was set up to help Seamus' wife Jessica, he said. "We are hoping she will not have to worry about finances to get through this truly difficult period. We are asking you to leave a small message regarding your best memory of Seamus, when you donate."

Of Seamus, he said: "We are going to miss this kindhearted and loving 'Big Mayo Man' when he passes. We all love you, Seamus."

Linda Howard, Jessica's mother, told Patch that she was touched by the fact that Seamus' sibings, all five, made the pilgrimage home to say good-bye. She posted a photo of her son-in-law on social media, a friend by his bedside.

"This is a picture of friendship," she wrote. "Seamus’s friends have taken turns sitting with him, holding his hands. They are not afraid to whisper, 'I love you, Seamus.'"

Speaking with Patch, Torpey added: "This is so devastating for his family. Seamus is such an amazing man."

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.