In Memory of Will Hozan Lovell (1943-2025)

It is with great sadness that I share the news that my friend and sangha companion Will Hozan Lovell died peacefully on Wednesday 10th September 2025, after a period of illness. 

I met Will on the very first night that we started the StoneWater Zen Northampton group. He came along with his friend Lorna Kokai (who died in 2021), and I can't tell you how pleased I was to see them - I'd convinced myself that I'd be sitting on my own for weeks before anyone came to join the new group. Will had been introduced to Zen by Lorna, when they met through their local walking group (Will's dharma name - Walking Mountain - was well-earned!). Lorna had practised under Robert Aitken Roshi initially, and later with Genpo Roshi. Will remembered that she would occasionally disappear for a week or so on mysterious meditation retreats, and eventually his curiosity was piqued, and he joined her in 1996 for a sesshin with Genpo Roshi (and his jisha, one Dave Scott!). From then on, Zen practice was a core part of his life. 

Will has felt like such a constant in our small group - in the 14 years that we have been meeting, he was with us almost every week. During COVID, he started to sit online, and he continued with the online sitting even after his worsening health meant that he started to struggle to get to Northampton each week. I know that many of you will remember his quiet presence in the corner of your screen.

He was a kind, gentle, civilised man. Quiet and solitary; when he spoke, he usually had something important to say. I feel lucky to have known him, and to have got to know him better during his illness, which he bore with great fortitude (and occasional frustration!). I have learned from Will most recently to truly value those with whom I sit, regularly or infrequently, and all the people in our sangha. I will miss him very much.

He has gone into a vast Silence.
He is borne away by the Great Ocean of birth and death.
May he, together with all beings, realize the end of suffering,
And the complete unfolding of Buddha’s Way. 

I will be conducting Will's funeral at 2.00pm on Thursday 2nd October at the Nene Valley Crematorium (305 Doddington Rd, Wellingborough NN8 2NX). If you are nearby and would like to attend, please feel very welcome to join us. I'm not sure if the service will be streamed, but if so, I will share details when I have them.