00:00For Olympic champion Keyshawn Wolcott, Sean Roach was more than a friend. He was a constant source of guidance, a
00:08trusted advisor and a brother whose influence extended far beyond the Olympic champion's sporting achievements.
00:16Wolcott recalled meeting Roach when he visited his family home in Toko to discuss helping his older brother pursue university
00:24opportunities.
00:26Wolcott said he immediately wanted to be part of the plans, eventually taking a chance on a future he could
00:33not have predicted.
00:35I was just on the verge of finishing upper levels, but what did I care? I never liked school.
00:41The promise was made that if we weren't able to meet our crazy goals of going professional, that we knew
00:48absolutely nothing about, we would then go to university.
00:53And I can't forget the most important part. We had no money, like maybe a couple of dollars, but nothing
01:00close to what we needed to be making those plans. Just a dollar and a dream.
01:05Wolcott said he and his brother agreed to pursue their ambitions with university as a fallback if their plans did
01:12not work out.
01:13He recalled that just months after taking that risk, he won Olympic gold, but he said Roach's greatest contribution was
01:22not limited to his sporting success.
01:24It was the person he helped him become.
01:27Looking at my life, a lot of people will see medals, achievements, and all the things that I've been able
01:32to accomplish, but they wouldn't know that behind so much of it was you.
01:38The person standing here today is the result of so many things you poured into me over the years, most
01:45of which you probably never realize.
01:49Everyone in here remembers you for something you did or in some way that you touched their lives, but I
01:54also remember you for the person you helped me to become.
01:58Wolcott said Roach's absence leaves a void in the lives of his wife, children, parents, and loved ones.
02:05He promised to help keep Roach's memory alive, including ensuring his children know how much their father loved them.
02:13In a separate tribute, the Pennywise Chief Executive Officer, Dalvi Palladi, recalled Roach's spiritual journey and his commitment to helping
02:24others.
02:24He recalled how Roach became involved with the Psy Center following an experience he described after attending a Christmas morning
02:33service in 2014.
02:35The CEO also highlighted Roach's participation in community projects, including a team effort to build homes for eight people during
02:44the COVID-19 period.
02:46He said Roach's life was an example of humility, service, and the importance of finding happiness even during difficult times.
02:55Feshana Pargu, TV6 News.
