A tattoo can hold deep personal significance, serving not only as a piece of art but also as a permanent reminder of a loved one. For Erin Forkin, Phil Malazarte, and Emerson Jolliffe, three students from VTSU Castleton, a matching tattoo now symbolizes their profound love and respect for their late friend, Sebastian Sheehy—known to his close circle as “Seb.” Sheehy’s sudden passing left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of those who knew him, prompting his friends to honor his memory in a way that would last forever.
The trio decided to get the name “Seb” inked in Tengwar, the Elvish script from The Lord of the Rings, a nod to one of Sheehy’s greatest passions. Sheehy was an avid fan of the fantasy genre, particularly the world of Middle-earth, and the tattoo represents a permanent tribute to his legacy.
“Seb’s love for The Lord of the Rings was a major part of who he was,” recalled Erin Forkin, one of Sheehy’s closest friends. “The first time we met was at a Dungeons and Dragons game. We instantly clicked when he noticed my Lord of the Rings tattoo.”
The two shared countless hours discussing Middle-earth lore, diving into fan theories, and discussing the deeper meanings of Tolkien’s work. Forkin fondly remembers a particular moment when she showed Sheehy her deluxe Lord of the Rings book set. “He was the most excited and interested person I could have shown it to,” she said. “That moment solidified our bond.”
But Sheehy’s impact wasn’t limited to fantasy. His friends recall him as a deeply kind and thoughtful person. Forkin recalls how, during her early days of learning D&D, Sheehy patiently taught her the game in a way that made it easy to understand. “He was always willing to help,” she said, recalling how Sheehy would offer her rides when she didn’t have a car, never accepting gas money, and instead preferring to share a meal at Fireside.
Phil Malazarte, another VTSU student and friend of Sheehy, remembers their friendship blossoming over time. Initially not very close, Malazarte grew closer to Sheehy after being invited to hang out, although prior commitments sometimes got in the way. “I wish I could’ve spent more time with him,” Malazarte said. “When I got the news that he passed away, I was at work. It was a complete shock.”
The tattoo, Malazarte said, is a way for him to memorialize Sheehy. “I wanted to make sure Seb left his mark,” he explained. “And this was the best way I could do that—by carrying his memory with me.”
For Emerson Jolliffe, Seb’s loss continues to feel like an insurmountable grief. “Seb was one of my closest friends,” Jolliffe shared. “Losing him has been one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with.”
Jolliffe believes that the tattoo represents more than just a memory; it serves as a piece of Seb that lives on with them. “For me, the tattoo is a way to keep his presence with us,” Jolliffe said. “Even though he’s no longer here, a part of him will always be with us.”
In his senior yearbook, Sheehy wrote that his greatest wish was to be remembered. Through their tattoos, his friends have ensured that his memory lives on. Sebastian Sheehy will not be remembered solely for his love of The Lord of the Rings, his distinctive knight’s gauntlets, or his passion for fantasy. He will be remembered for his kindness, his laughter, and the light he brought into the lives of those around him.
Now, wherever his friends go, Seb walks with them, his memory etched in Elvish and forever cherished.
Related topics: