Family Man, Loving Father Sean Toothman, 1973-2012

Sean Toothman of Imperial Beach passed away Feb. 23 from a heart attack.

He was 38-years-old. 

His family described him as someone with a big heart and devoted to family.

A memorial service will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Humphrey in Chula Vista Wednesday from 5-9 p.m. You can send flowers or sign a guestbook on the Funeraria del Angel Humphrey website.

After the funeral, people will meet at Crystal Cove Cocktails, where Sean was a regular and prayer candles and memorial T-shirts can be purchased. All proceeds go to pay funeral expenses.

A sunset gathering will also be held at the Imperial Beach pier Thursday at 4 p.m. 

Tim Christ called his older brother his mentor.

"He was somebody to look up to, whether it be accomplishing something or learning something or just staying out of trouble. He just breaks the mold," he said. "He was also also a great artist. A lot of people didn't know that. He was with my daughter drawing all the time."

Sean liked to draw roses, buildings or other subjects, writing poetry and playing disc golf.

Gary Christ described his brother as giving to anyone who was willing to help themselves.

"The only thing I can say about my brother Sean is that he was just an amazing person. He's more like my dad than my brother. He just had a big heart man. He was tough as nails, but he had a big heart," he said. 

His mother Maru Meza remembers him as hard working, intelligent, loving, compassionate and devoted to his daughter Dana, stepdaughter Daja and wife Danielle. 

"From the time he was born, he was hard to bring into this world but he always seemed to be full of spirit. He was always on the move," she said. "He got in trouble as a youth, but he learned to get out of it and what this world had to offer."

As the oldest cousin, Chuck Collings said he saw Sean as his brother, and remembers him as giving and a successful entrepreneur selling sunglasses. 

"Being honest, a complete stranger if he had half a sandwich and you looked like you needed it, he'd give it to you," Chuck said. "In his mind there was always someone worse off than him."

His daughter and wife meant the world to him, he said.

Sean is survived by his daughter Dana, stepdaughter Daja, wife Danielle, mother Mary Meza, brothers Gary and Tim Christ as well as a large extended family which includes uncle Joe Toothman and his Marlene, aunt Karen Thomas and cousins Mimi Lopez-Steele, Chuck Collings, Martin Collings, Portia Martin, Judy Martin and Smokey Martin.