Omar Medina

I was deeply saddened to hear of Omar’s passing. It came as a real shock. Though we didn’t always work together directly, we crossed paths often at Staffordshire University London and shared a strong mutual commitment to making the London campus thrive. What I’ll remember most, though, are our conversations — warm and wide-ranging, often centred around our shared connection to the Philippines. I visited there last September and asked my fiancée to marry me, and Omar was genuinely delighted when I told him. We spoke often about Filipino culture, food, and life in his hometown. Omar was always generous with his time — thoughtful, kind, and a quiet but steady presence. He listened without judgment, supported others without needing recognition, and earned the deep respect of so many around him. His loss is felt deeply. My heartfelt condolences go out to his loved ones. Rest in peace, Omar. You will be missed.

Omar was one of the first people on campus that I connected with on a personal level. I shared a lot with him and I forever cherish the memories that I have with him. May he rest in peace ❤️

Omar was such a beautiful soul, always there to support and help others, no matter what circumstances. He was always welcoming colleagues from Stoke and making sure their stay was pleasant. Rest in peace Omar, you have been a caring colleague and will be missed deeply.

There was (is) something about Omar that instantly struck me the first time we met. He had (has) a certain energy about him, a calming influence, an inspirational ‘spark’. He was (is) funny with a dry sense of humour that was both respectful and never offensive. He was (is) compassionate and empathetic, yet rational and level-headed. He was (is) smart, yet incredibly humble. He had (has) what I would describe as ‘zen’; an inner peace that was felt by all of us around him. I have said these things intentionally, with both past and present tense; he is one of those rare, wonderful people that you take with you for the rest of your life – who have become part of your life. I knew him for only 2 and a half years. I will know him for the remaining years of my life and I will never forget him.

My deepest condolences to Omar’s Family. May your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Omar my good friend, I’m gonna miss you brother! Thank you for all the great memories we’ve shared. Your memory will forever live in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know you. I wish I got to spend more time with you Bro. RIP my friend you will be forever missed

Omar… I will genuinely miss your presence on campus, and the calming energy you brought to the place. You were often the first person I saw, and usually the last to say goodbye when I left. Always kind and friendly, and infinitely welcoming… your passing has left a real hole in our community. You have made such an impact here, and I hope you know how much you were cherished. My most sincere condolences to your family.

My dear brother Omar, we may not had grown nor had known each other that long because you had left for London when you were still very young, I know we were still connected by flesh and blood. We missed you when we visited London in 2012. I wish we pushed to see you. Life is really short.. But it’s God’s will.. Praying for you every mass every single day Rest in eternal peace in the arms of our Creator.. You’re home, till we meet again ♥️♥️♥️

Omar, your warm smile was one of the first things that welcomed me to London, and it will be deeply missed. Your passion, kindness, and friendly nature helped create an exceptional experience for our students in London—something that will not be forgotten. Your unwavering support for the Students’ Union and our staff team was always rooted in a shared commitment to putting students first. Your passing leaves a real sense of loss among all who had the privilege of working with you. Our heartfelt condolences go out to your family, colleagues in London, students, and friends x Students’ Union

Omar was such a wonderful person, it was always a delight interacting with him at university, always there to give a helping hand or listen if need be. You truly were such an inspiration to us all, I hope you’re able to rest in peace, and my condolences to your family.

Can’t believe you are gone. Will never forget you.

Sending condolences to all the Medina family this one hurts Omar you were such a special person to so many … Rest in Paradise my Brother ❤️

I worked with Omar for a few years and always admired his calmness and absolute ability to handle anything and anyone with ease and an infectious smile. I miss the sound of him speaking to customers over the phone. He should’ve read audible books for a living! Working along side him was how you got through the day. Thank you Omar for being you and for the best piece of advice I think I’ve ever received. Season the Wok!

Omar was my best friend since we wr small kids..I will miss u..u helped we a lot when I was in Qatar..I love u Omar..watch over me.thank u for everything.

My sincere condolences to your family. Omar, you were such a wonderful person – kind, genuine, and always so good with people. You greeted everyone with that warm smile and a willingness to help, no matter the situation. I’ll always remember your dry, ironic humour, your calmness even when things weren’t going to plan, and most of all, your quiet strength and support to everyone around you. Though I only knew you for a short time, the impact you had was truly significant. It’s still hard to comprehend that you’re no longer with us. You will be deeply missed by all who knew you. Rest in peace Omar.

My sincere condolences to your family. Omar, you were such a wonderful person – kind, genuine, and always so good with people. You greeted everyone with that warm smile and a willingness to help, no matter the situation. I’ll always remember your dry, ironic humour, your calmness even when things weren’t going to plan, and most of all, your quiet strength and support to everyone around you. Though I only knew you for a short time, the impact you had was truly significant. It’s still hard to comprehend that you’re no longer with us. You will be deeply missed by all who knew you. Rest in peace Omar.

Condolences to Omar’s family.. Oms..it’s only been a short time but I always remember you telling me for off for being late. Man, I’m gonna miss the laughs we had, hanging out, jamming on the guitar, having a few beers while watching the games, having ramen to soothe the beers, watching our team while cheering on in unison, and reaching those exhilarating crescendos of passion as if we were playing.. Bro, you may have left us too earlier than expected but our memory of you will forever be remembered..

I’m grateful our souls crossed paths in this lifetime. For the moments of laughter, the lessons, and the echoes. May your spirit find the peace that was hard to hold here. Thank you for the part you played in my journey.

Thought I’d share the slides from the funeral – which I’ll have to do in sections as I’m only allowed to upload a few at a time

It’s not allowing me to post any more…

And some more…

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for Omar’s funeral on Saturday—whether you were there in person, joined us online, or simply kept us in your thoughts from afar. Your presence, in any form, brought so much comfort during such a difficult time. It meant the world to see so many people come together to celebrate Omar’s life. I’m truly grateful that we were able to give him the send-off he deserved—one that was not only meaningful, but also a true reflection of the wonderful person he was. Hearing all of your memories at the wake was deeply moving. I was so overwhelmed by the love and kindness in the room that the only words I could manage were simply, “Thank you.” It was truly beautiful to hear you share stories of his humour, generosity, and the way he touched so many lives. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for your support, compassion, and for honouring his memory with us. ♥️

As a first year, I didn’t know Omar for as long as others at the uni. But I will always remember him for being gracious and kind. From the time I first met him, coming to a cancelled society event at university in the middle of summer that nobody else rocked up for– he could have easily turned me back around as soon as I found out, but instead he took time out of his afternoon to tour me around campus and answer all my questions to make the trip worth it. We laughed when we both realised in the elevator that we’d both been subtly trying to find out if the other was Filipino by name-dropping locations, terms and food (it was using ‘baon’ in a sentence that confirmed it, if you’re curious). Or when in Reload I asked if I should be calling him Tito Omar since I didn’t know the honorific etiquette in a setting like this… then accidentally set off the Third Years who’d overheard me asking to call him ‘Unc’ for the next ten minutes min. even though he’d laughed the idea off immediately.  My favourite memory of him is when I was saving a spider that had crawled indoors on my bag and all it took was one clarifying question as to what I was doing on the floor scooping with my ID card for him to immediately join in on taking the spider safely outside. It was a tiny spider and I was embarassed he’d caught me off-guard, thinking he’d have a chuckle to himself while I wasn’t looking. But instead he affirmed that he’d have done the exact same thing in my shoes. We talked about matchbox spider fights in, as always , the elevator down. At Awards Night, when the Filipino Society won and when I looked out into the poorly lit room, he had the biggest smile on his face. He was one of our earliest supporters while we set up the society, giving ideas for events and laughing at the Manny Pacquiao meme I’d put on the promotional posters. He embraced Jun Jun (another on the committee, seen on the left in the photos) and I afterwards and ecstatically told us he’d ‘won too’ over and over. Opo sir, daog mi. ❤️ The rest of my time on campus will not be the same without his genuine joy and cheer in the room. I feel blessed to have had him in my corner.

I had the pleasure of working with Omar between 2022 – 2024 at the University of Staffordshire London. I was drawn to his positive and calm energy, and caring nature. Omar was incredibly kind, thoughtful, and generous. For the first time in a job, I looked forward to being at work and spending time with  my “work family”. He was someone I could talk to… about my endometriosis, becoming a parent, work-life balance and he always had time to listen. We had a few things in common including a love for Canary Wharf and Everyman Cinema. Back in 2024, Omar came to my son’s first birthday party. Although he was meeting my friends and family for the first time, he built rapport with them so easily and left a lasting impression. I’m so glad I got to see him at the campus in January this year. He came in to say hello even though it was his day off. Omar, thank you for everything. I’ll never forget you. My condolences to your beautiful family.  Rest in peace