The funeral of a 14-year-old boy who loved pirates was attended by swashbuckling enthusiasts from across the country. Billy Maskell, who was from Liverton Mines, had Dravet syndrome, a life-limiting condition. Local pirate groups supported the teenager and formed a guard of honour outside St Leonard’s Church in Loftus on the day of the funeral. Billy’s father, Danny, described his son as a “fighter,” saying that he had experienced a seizure that proved fatal.
Nicola, Billy’s mother, expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support from the pirates. She said that it was a special tribute and that her son would have been thrilled. Friends described Billy Maskell as someone who “was always laughing and smiling” and who loved everything to do with pirates. He collected pirate-themed toys and wore pirate-themed clothing.
The boy’s father said that the family was overwhelmed with the number of people who turned out for the funeral and the kindness shown to them. It is a testament to the impact that Billy had on others. The video of the funeral was shared by BBC Tees, and additional stories of Billy’s life had appeared in local and national media.
Billy’s story resonated because of his love of life and his openness to people. In many ways, his affinity for the pirates was similar to the way he approached life. He wanted to be around people who loved adventure and had a sense of humour. Although his life was short, he had an impact on everyone he met. His parents spoke of their love of Billy and said that they felt blessed to have him in their lives, however briefly
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