Father of Lennon Baldwin tells mourning Morristown classmates: Trust your parents

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The father of Lennon Baldwin, the Morristown High School freshman who took his own life last week, on Monday urged young people to trust their parents’ unconditional love.

“There is no problem, whatever you’re involved in, there is nothing that you can’t go to your parents with,” John Baldwin told mourners who filled the Morristown United Methodist Church for a funeral service that celebrated the 15-year-old from Morris Township with tears, laughter and music.

Authorities are investigating whether bullying pushed Lennon over the edge on March 28. Although the internet abounds with speculation, only glancing references were made during the hour-long service.

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A book about coping with stress was among the stuffed animals and trophies in Lennon’s bedroom, a family friend recounted.

Pastor Neill Tolboom, who described Lennon as a “normal kid…a precious kid” who loved Metallica, bowling and Xbox, suggested that “no one and everyone” is responsible for Lennon’s death. He exhorted people to practice kindness in everyday life, from laying off the horn in traffic to forgiving more serious transgressions.

The pastor also echoed John Baldwin’s message.

“One of the great fears we have in this community is losing other children to suicide. And no one here wants to be judged by the worst 15 minutes of their lives. And maybe we can stop it, curtail it, if we just have parents who reach out to kids and kids who are willing to reach out to parents,”  he said.

Friends of Lennon Baldwin wheel his casket from the Morristown United Methodist Church. Photo by Bill Lescohier
Friends of Lennon Baldwin wheel his casket from the Morristown United Methodist Church. Photo by Bill Lescohier

It was a service with many poignant moments. Lennon’s older brother Robbie, an MHS senior, bravely sat with a 12-string guitar and sang Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here.

The night after Lennon’s death, Robbie fulfilled a commitment to participate in an annual fashion show that raises money for Project Graduation.

“You’re a man, and I’m proud of you,” John Baldwin told his surviving son.

During a rendition of Let It Be, MHS senior Katherine Robertson, who starred on stage last month in Sweet Charity, broke down at the line “…and in my hour of darkness.”  Classmate Charlie Savage continued on piano, and John Baldwin started to clap in time with the music from his pew. The congregation joined in, and then an octet of high school singers came to Katherine’s side. She finished the song, and Robbie got up and gave her a hug as the church applauded.

MHS senior Danny Dones gave a moving performance of Coldplay’s The Scientist, with its haunting refrain: Nobody said this was easy. 

The octet–Danny, Katherine, Katherine Merwin, Dane Glynn, Zaji Zabalerio, Cesar Coronado, Melissa Cedano and Kiele Turner— sang Imagine, with Katherine Merwin substituting a lyric:  “No hell below us…only Lennon in the sky.”  Lennon Baldwin was named for the late Beatle, John Lennon.

A friend of the Baldwin family, Tracey Metzger of Florida, did a lovely job with Sarah McLaughlin’s In the Arms of an Angel.

The Morris District superintendent of schools, Thomas Ficarra, and the mayors of Morristown and Morris Township, Tim Dougherty and Peter Mancuso, came to the church, which seats 500. Most of the seats were filled.

Lennon’s friends served as pallbearers. A photo of the youth was placed beside the casket, which shared the altar with an electric guitar, longboard, bowling pin and other prized possessions.

His sense of humor lightened the mood, courtesy of family friend, George Hartner, who recalled an outing where a stranger offered Lennon a ride home.

“No thanks,” Lennon shot back. “I don’t feel like getting molested by some weirdo tonight.”

Four years ago, George said, his voice choking with emotion, Lennon helped him cope with the death of his own daughter, killed in a car accident.

Lennon’s father said he was glad he overcame misgivings about attending a prayer service, candlelight vigil and wake. In a quiet, steady voice, he thanked his wife, Sharon Varnelis, for her encouragement and expressed thanks to the community for its overwhelming support.

“It’s crazy, absolutely crazy,” John said of the tragedy. “We all hurt for Lennon. There must be some reason.”

While he expects to go “back and forth over this” with his wife, John said there was no point in beating himself up over the past; it won’t bring back their son. He voiced confidence that they will work through their grief together.

Lennon’s love of animals was noted during the service, and John used an analogy from nature to drive home his message to kids.

Every spring, he said, hatchlings fall from their nests.

“And mother- and father birds will do anything to help that baby bird. They will go up against cats 20 times their size. It’s unconditional love.

“All of you kids at some time will fall from your nest. Close friends who you share everything with will not be there. They will turn on you…  Your parents are your anchor. They brought you into this world to defend and protect you. It’s not your friends.

“Trust in your parents, and their unconditional love. Will you do it for me?  Will you do it for Lennon?”

 MORE ABOUT LENNON BALDWIN

 

 

6 COMMENTS

  1. I am so sad for you. My heart broke reading this story. Your sons life had a deeper purpose and he sounded like an extraordinary young man.

    May god be with you during these difficult times.

  2. God Bless You and your Family! I pray for the days that you can be happy with your sons memories instead of sad missing him each new day. I know it’s a difficult thought. There are days I just can’t believe it has happened to me. There are times when I now envy those that pass on to live with Jesus!!! God Bless <3

  3. I am so sorry for your loss… I was thinking hugely of my son Lennon and decided to look up an old web-site I had. Came across this news paper. My son would be 8. No parent should ever have to loose a child EVER! I tell ya what has helped me cope. My life state is his life state! Strive for happiness! Bless you and your family, John.

  4. I have shared the ‘do it for Lennon” message with my son and will ask him to share it with his friends. Thanks John! God Bless the Baldwin family.

  5. Spot on Kevin. You are a beautiful reporter that captured my message and the tribute of my son Lennon. Love, John H. Baldwin

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