Jon arrives to the music of Underworld –
Born Slippy
Introduction and reading by
Deborah Mc Gregor MEd.BA(Hons), BSc(Hons)
Tribute to Jonathan –
read by Deborah Mc Gregor
Tribute to Jonathan –
read by Harry Clewlow
Reading - 'On Death' Khalil Gibran
Prayers
Fur Elise - Ludwig van Beethoven
Closing Words
Reading - When I come to the end of the road
Commital
Riders on the Storm - The Doors
All to meet at Jon’s local “ The George & Dragon , Bemisters Lane , Gosport for a farewell gathering and a drink from Jon (see back page)
“ … as I approach death I seem to see the shore and believe I shall at last reach harbour after a long voyage … For as long as we are enclosed in our bodily framework, we are forced by fate to perform a hard task, for the soul has a heavenly quality and is thrust down from its lofty home and, so to speak, buried in the earth, which is alien to the soul’s divine and eternal nature. I believe the purpose of the immortal gods implanting souls in human bodies was to provide guardians of the earth, who would observe the harmony of heaven and reproduce it in the consistent moderation of our own lives … now that I have run away, I should not like to be called back from the finishing tape to the starting point. What are the advantages of life? Is not man born to toil? Yes, life has advantages; but one can have too much of it. The thought of life does not move me to sorrow, as it has moved many learned men, and I do not regret the life I have led. I have lived in such a way that I do not think I was born in vain, and as I say good-bye to life, I feel that I depart as a guest, not one leaving home; this world is given to us as an inn in which to stay, but not to dwell. Marcus Tulius Cicero (c. 106-43 B.C.)
Introduction
Jonathan was born on the 17th of September at St Mary’s Hospital in Portsmouth. He arrived 10 days late (a sure sign that he had his father’s genes). He was a much loved and wanted first son. Despite very significant medical problems and far too much time spent in hospitals he enjoyed his young life in Wickham mainly absorbed in some adventure world with his brother Joseph or playing with friends Julie and Vicky or his cousins Shane, Daniel and Nicola. He attended Wickham primary school just before his 5th birthday where he made new friends. This was the same year that his youngest brother Sam was born. When Jonathan was six the family moved to Lincoln and Jon attended Bracebridge Heath primary school, two years later they moved to Grimsby where Jonathan spent the rest of his school years. He attended Waltham Toll Bar School as did his brothers where they made friends who have remained so to this day. The family kept close ties with family and friends in the South of the country and spent a great deal of time travelling to and fro, Jon spent many happy school holidays his with cousins in Gosport and friends in Wickham. When he was eleven he and Joseph made the long journey to South Carolina in the USA to spend six weeks with their Aunty, Uncle and cousins. Jonathan loved the experience, they visited the space centre, Disney world, the Epcot centre and whizzed over the Florida everglades it was a dream of Jon’s that he would be able to return to the states in the near future.
During Jon’s last year at school he carried out work experience at a vehicle body repair garage which he loved he worked hard gained Saturday and then full time trainee employment there it was here that he made such good friends with Brian and his wife Maria. Jon shared a love of all things very fast with Brian the two remained firm friends throughout the rest of Jon’s life. Unfortunately the garage closed down. Following this he suffered a period of significant poor health which made it increasingly difficult for him to obtain any further employment in the career he wanted. His Aunty suggested he may be more successful with his pursuit back in the south of the country hence he returned to live in Gosport and Wickham with the support of close friends and family. Here he renewed his close relationship with his cousins and childhood friends. He also gained employment as a health care support worker at ‘The Meadows’ an acute psychiatric unit at Sarisbury Green near Southampton. He was excellent at this job; his strength of character, personality, compassion; conflict and triumph over his health problems made him a sensitive and empathic nurse. He was notorious for his sense of humour and fun and made many close friends in his three years there. During the past year he has lived with his brother Sam in Gosport. He has made friends and acquaintances wherever he has been and many people will be feeling shocked and saddened by the death of such a vibrant, social character. He came home to Grimsby last Christmas eve and stayed until April. The family shared a happy, close and special Christmas. Jon renewed acquaintances with his friends from Grimsby who are also shocked saddened. Jon’s love of life, his wicked sense of humour and fantastic personality have left all whose lives he touched richer for knowing him.
Dearest Jonathan
How can we find words to describe you or what you have meant to all the people whose lives you have touched and enriched? You were always special, never the regular guy you wanted to be always so much more than that. Your generosity was an intrinsic part of your nature as was your compassion you always wanted to help someone else especially those you loved. You could relate to anyone from royalty to the down and out on a park bench or at the end of the bar, you would always take the time to talk to them and give them a laugh. You empathised with the troubled and the lonely and those who struggled with life, that’s what made you so good at psychiatric nursing and your job at the Meadows where you were so happy and made so many friends. Life was not easy for you, it threw you some rough deals that made competing in this harsh world very difficult, you coped by using your wicked sense of humour and ability to adapt to whoever or whatever a person or situation required. Your sharp intelligence and interests in history, films and current affairs combined with your sense of humour to create a unique satirical wit that amused the hell out of all who knew you.
It was clear from a very young age that you were going to be mischief and a rebel, refusing to let another spell in hospital and complex surgery overshadow your first birthday you defied the doctors and rode your new car up and down the ward and pulled out your grandmas false teeth when she tried to give you a kiss. There are hundreds of stories about your antics like how you piled up apples behind the wheels of your Aunties car and stood out of sight chuckling when she could not move it. By the age of 4 or 5 you had discovered the joy of the screwdriver and could dismantle pretty much anything. You loved anything dangerous and thrilling. By the age of 7 you wanted and did go on all the rides at the fair that say ‘unsuitable for anyone with a heart condition’. Often to the despair of teachers, doctors and parents you pushed the boundaries and rebelled all the way. In some ways that made it increasingly hard for you, very few people knew the full magnitude of your problems and what you had to cope with. You always worked harder than everyone else to keep ahead of the game. Your childhood love of thrills and living life in the fast lane continued all your life. Had you won the lottery then you would probably have left us years ago as then you would have been able to indulge your love of fast cars, rallying, partying and generally living life to its extreme.
As well as the films and the books and the motor sports there was always your love of technology, new gadget, toys, games the latest invention always fired your imagination. But most importantly alongside all the rest there was always music. The pieces chosen today were some of your favourites and represent the different aspects of your personality, Jon ever the party boy, up for anything, wanting to forget the boring, trivial realities of everyday life, buzzing, floor pacing, desperate for some action. But there was another side to your nature a deep, very sensitive, loving and philosophical side that listened to Beethoven when alone and loved The Doors amongst so much else. Everyone who knew you well has a piece of music that reminds them of you and to help celebrate that fact your father had the wonderful idea of setting up an interactive website in your name, this will allow all whose lives you have touched to contribute whilst also leaving a lasting and evolving tribute to your memory.
Our dearest Jonny, you have given us all so much, those closest to you who knew you well will be comforted always by our thoughts of you. Just as the most beautiful music and poignant poetry remains in our hearts and minds always, your life will continue to be celebrated by those it touched.
