Diamond life

A Big Issue North vendor who recently wrote a moving letter to a man who helped him at a time of crisis has died. Will Connor, 43, who sold the magazine outside Marks and Spencer in Doncaster, met photographer Andy Lynch at a particularly low point in his life. It was this encounter, and the friendship that followed, which was the basis for the letter that Will wrote, published in this magazine in July.

Lynch, who was devastated by the news that Connor was found dead in his home at the end of August, led tributes to his friend.

“Will was a kind and generous man, always happy to engage in conversation with people and share what little he had with others,” he said. “He was humble yet had pride. He loved his work with the Big Issue North and, despite his health issues, he applied himself to working seven days a week. He knew all his customers and they appreciated him greatly, as he did them.”

Ben Stevenson, who runs the Sheffield Big Issue North office where Connor used to buy his magazines, agreed that his work as a vendor was an important part of Connor’s life.

“Will was someone who faced many obstacles during the years I worked with him, and the challenges and fluctuating circumstances he experienced would have taken a toll on even the most resilient of us.

“Through all the time that I knew him, I was struck by his desire to help himself through these setbacks, and he used selling the magazine as a way to do this, and to provide himself with every opportunity to positively change his situation. This was evidenced by his amazing work ethic, and frequent visitors to Doncaster will have been aware of him as a regular and widely valued part of the community.

“He was, in many ways, a private man, but he always had time to speak to staff and other vendors, and was well known and liked by vendors across the region, not just those in Doncaster. On many occasions Will brightened up the office with his jokes and discussions about his keen interests of music and football.

“Will’s ability to connect with people and the enjoyment he derived from the social side of selling the magazine were demonstrated by the amount of public support and compliments we received about him, and enquiries about his wellbeing during times when he wasn’t selling. It is clear that Will will be greatly missed by many people, very much including all of us at the Big Issue North who were fortunate enough to meet and get to know him.”

Lynch added: “He was poetic and lyrical. He had a bright mind with a philosophical outlook, combined with an eclectic taste in music. It made him good company to be around as conversation was never difficult with him. We would often send messages back and forth to each other quoting song lyrics – we shared some great common ground in this.

“Will was gracious in both his highs and lows, he had many wonderful aspects to his character and I shall miss him greatly. He offered me an opportunity to learn about myself at the same time as learning about the difficulties that others face. We spent many hours talking about anything, including politics, music, history and literature and the issues of the world. He was easy to like and comfortable to be around. He was a good guy.”

Paying tribute to Will’s love of music, Lynch said: “I feel it’s fitting to quote song lyrics from Paul Weller as a memorial to my friend, wishing him peace in the next chapter, whatever that may be:

Awaken all the ghosts in your mind
Speak of all the good that you find
Live and learn that life is not unkind
Understand the demons that you fight

I know it just seems cold to leave see
We all have to go
Believe me
But letting go
Is thanking you

“Shine on you crazy diamond. See you on the dark side of the moon, brother.”

Photo: Andy Lynch