| Location | Bradford |
| Age | 30 years |
| Date of Birth | 16/12/1974 |
| Date of Death | 19/06/2005 |
| Visitors | 1,682 since 04/05/2009 |
| Creator |
To say that music was at the centre of John's world would be something of an understatement to anyone who knew John, or more accurately 'JJ', and so I make no apology for the heavy musical slant of this eulogy.
At around 9 years of age we acquired an electronic organ for John as a bit of an upgrade from his Bontempi keyboard. It was the sort of thing with two keyboards and pedals you see in Woods on Manningham lane.
It was immediately obvious that the Lad had a bit of a knack, and the services of a Tutor advertising in the local paper shop window was enlisted.
Now John wasn't only a budding musician of note, but also a snob, because it became obvious very quickly that this Tutor was an organist of the working men's club 'ilk', you know the sort of thing 'Fred on drums and Bert on Organ, pies at 9:00pm prompt', and my purist son was destined for musical heights greater than that!.
I saw on a concert program that John described himself as a 'son of Bradford', but I think he might have been unofficially adopted by the great city of Liverpool.That Mersey era began when the family visited the Metropolitan cathedral for Sunday Mass, and John was immediately impressed by the pomp and bells and smells which go with that, and more particularly with the Organ. That afternoon since he had been so impressed with 'Catholic' Organ, we visited Liverpool's other Cathedral so he could experience the C of E one at their Evensong service.
He was 'gobsmacked' with these two legendary instruments and so was his Dad, or in Liverpool speak,--his 'owld fella! I am also a bit of an amateur musician (using the term very loosely compared with JJ's capabilities) and also an Engineer. Organ such as these are a musical and engineering work of art.
On a subsequent visit to Merseyside, John, his Mum and I attended the annual Whitsuntide two Cathedrals service, which has a strong message to any Christian of any denomination, as the Liverpool Street, literally called 'Hope street', links these two great centers of worship. after the service, it is customary for the senior clergymen to do the hand shakes and thank the congregation for coming as is usual in most Churches.It is at this point in time in the RC Cathedral entrance that the Anglican Bishop, the Right Rev. David Sheppard and Catholic archbishop, the Most Rev. Derek Worlock asked the Extremely Rev. John James Baines what he would like to do when he grew up, "I'd like to be the Pope" came the reply.
The pair of them were greatly amused and chatted with John at some length. Just think what might have been---and they say Benedict 16th is a hardliner.
When he was 12 he was knocked off his bike in Thornton Rd whilst travelling down to St Patrick's to practice on the Organ. He was destined for about six weeks in traction at Rawdon with a broken phema. By this time the two Cathedral Organists from Liverpool had achieved hero status with John, and I wrote to them to tell them of Johns Predicament, and although they didn't know of him, if they could spare a couple of minutes to drop John a line and talk pipes and stops and organ things, his spirits would be lifted and I would be extremely grateful. They both did much more than that, and to the present, the Organist and Master of the Choristers at the cathedral Church of Christ, Liverpool, has been a close friend and indeed Tutor to JJ, and I sincerely thank Professor Ian Tracey for his response to that letter and continuing friendship to John since then. I also thank Ian for his attendance today, playing the Organ for John, --thank you, you went well beyond answering my initial letter.
I got home from work one day and John asked me to take him to Liverpool that evening, and after a hard days work, that went down really well!. The Organist at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Terence Duffy, had given John the go-ahead to play the Organ there for a couple of hours. I complied (as you do), and two hours later, was amazed at being let in to the Cathedral by the Nuns at the adjacent Convent so that John could be let loose on the Lord only knows how many thousand quid's worth of instrument.
This is one of the memories I shall always treasure of my John James. The Organ there has what are called 'en chamade. Trumpets protruding from the front of the pipes, and when they 'speak', they make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Needles to say, everything he played in that two hour session, even the really soft, quiet, serene, sensitive pieces utilized those great big 'in ya face' Trumpets!!!. I captured it all on camcorder.
John played in various churches and did a brief spell waving his arms about in front of the Choir here at St Cuthbert's giving me a bit of a break, as I was Choirmaster here at that time. Choir members will remember him for attempting to get them to pronounce their R's and Cambridge A's --- I told you he was a snob!!
John went on to form the Bingley Myrtle Singers in 1993 with his friend Robert Andrews.
In various shopping malls, no Christmas would be complete without carols from the myrtle singers. Their activities were many and varied, such as during holiday periods when Cathedral choir schools are on holiday, John and his crew would deputize for them and have performed in some prestigious locations such as, the two Liverpool, Carlisle and Chester cathedrals. The myrtles are with us today and on behalf of the family, I thank them for their friendship and support to JJ, and of course singing here for John today.
John was a vulnerable lad in some ways, and some people took him under their wing, as it were, I thank those individuals, you know who you are, and so does God.
On behalf of the family I would like to thank you all for coming here today and especially Fr. Lister for his support through this difficult time.
I would also send my commiserations to whoever is the current Organist and master of the Choristers in Heaven as I think he may well be about to loose his job!..
From me to you
Well we have had a busy year new arrival Morgan Spencer - Brame he's a belta you would love him sooooo cute too. Steph got married to Jamie. I know you were there and I'm sure you love the candle we had specialy done for you. So have a cracking birthday next week say Hi to grandad Jack for me. Love and miss you always sooooooo much Roz
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Happy Fathers Day - by Ingrid Aspey
♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡
┊ ┊ ┊ ♥HAPPY FATHERS DAY
┊ ┊ ♥FOR EVEN IN OUR HEART
┊ ♥ MISS YOU LOVE YOU BIG HUGS
♥ TAKE CARE BYE FOR NOW
ALL MY LOVE SYLVIE
I was not sure what to get you
On this special Father's Day
So I though I’d write this letter
This is what I’d like to say
I would like to thank you Dad
For everything you did
For your love and understanding
For me your special kid
You set a good example
Taught me to be strong
You were always there for me
To teach me right from wrong
You’re the one, who taught me
How to work and how to play
For this I am so grateful
Each and every day
You taught me not to question
Things that were Gods will
I find this very hard to do
‘Cos I wish I was here still
I know that you are proud of me
You always told me so
And I love and am so proud of you
Although I’m sure you know
One day we’ll meet again Dad
I know that this is true
But I’m sorry that God called me home
That we’re not still together we two
So until we meet again Dad
In Heaven up above
I wish you Happy Fathers Day
And send you all my love
Copyright� Ingrid Aspey 13.06.09
From your Angel up above X
╔╗★
║║╔═╦╦╦═║╚╝╠═╦╦╗
║╚╣║║║║╩╣╗╔╣║║║║
╚═╩═╩═╩═╝╚╝╚═╩═╝ ♥
♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡♥ღ♡ღ♥ღ♡
Happy Birthday In Heaven - by Winnie Lovett
"Happy Birthday John "
It's sure to be the best one yet,
Though you left us here behind.
Did you think that we'd forget?
Your cake this year, will surely be,
A beauty to behold.
With the icing made of Silver,
And the candles made of Gold.
Yes, your birthday in Heaven,
Will be such a grand affair.
And I know you'll look so lovely,
With a halo in your hair.
The Angels will come from everywhere,
To sing your birthday song.
And I know they'll be so happy,
That you've joined, God's Happy Throng.
No I can't send a card this year,
Or give a gift so fine.
So I'll just send a special prayer,
To that wonderful Brother of yours.
Happy Birthday 2010
Happy Birthday JJ love and miss you always Roz
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Happy Birthday
Hey JJ
Would just like to say Happy Birthday!!
Wish you was still here so we could all celebrate with you!!
Im Sure you will be celebrating up there where you are!!
Miss you so much!! Christmas is never the same without!!
we always know your there though!! :D
Love you forever n ever!!
Please will you come meet me in my dreams, so i can give you a birthday hug!!
Love you forever!!
Steph xxxx
Missing You
Well it almost your birthday and Christmas is around the corner. I miss you sooo much, miss our little chats as you new me better than anyone else the real me. God bless you for the message I got the other week and I'm trying but its hard, life has a habbit of getting me down even though I hide behind the make up lol. I wish I had a time machine to go back in time just to tell you I Love you and give you a hug. Thankyou for being a kind, loving brother who often but other before yourself. Love Rozxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Well JJ, the first day I met you, you were 30 minutes late for an interview. Who else would be 30 minutes late and still get the job! Your personality shone through and you made us laugh. That was enough for us and we decided to give you a chance.
As soon as you started work you became part of the team. Everyone took to you and you became one of us.
You soon got us out on a lunchtime playing pool and Robert would join us. Occasionally he actually hit the ball!
Then came the nights out and the infamous BBQ at your parents house. Singing around the keyboard. Listening to Jason and Shelley singing a duet. The funniest incident was the Blackpool trip when you told an unnamed person to "roll home you fat cow". Classic JJ stuff that we still howl laughing at everytime we meet up.
Your Aunty Maureen is singing at Naomi's wedding in a couple of weeks. No doubt you had a hand in that.
When my Dad passed away, you found me the sheet music so "I'll walk with god", his favourite hymn could be sang at his funeral and I hope you are up there now playing it for him.
Everytime the old team meet up we raise a glass to you and Robert and I am raising one to you now.
You were a great friend and a fantastic personality. I sincerely hope that wherever you are that you are happy and with the people you love.
Often in my thoughts. RIP JJ.
Tracy XXX
I Miss You
Another year has passed us by, nothing changes we still cry. Thinking of you every day in my heart you will always stay.
Love you always Roz xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mates
I was saddened to here of your passing we were mates and school mates and met up always by accident and had a laugh may be a few gins/beers/wines too many at times, seems like an end of an era... the end of those times we used to meet up for weekends and laugh,drink and some times cry,talk about things we had been through in our lives ... (you know what im talking about) but i hope you found peace with them in the end and realised that those experiences made you stronger and i hope i helped you as you helped me ... for that i would like to say thank you JJ.
I remember when you knock on the door of the childrens home i lived in simply because you cared i was 10 or 11 and you were about 12 we went out for a ride on our bikes round the park.... and talked bollox lol ...
Then the next time i heard you had been in an bike accident i think i even came to your house to see if you were OK but noone was in ... well life went on and i didnt see you for 7 years then on a night out i bumped into you ... and you were shocked and then we carried on you came to the club with me and i made you dance ... i think i forced you to..then the weekends i used to sleep over and you insisted i had the bed and you had the floor ... we used to talk until we were asleep...you were a good mate ...
Then our friendship was once again alive and you was always there even though sometimes we did not catch up for months ... we made friends together ... i introduced you to people and you introduced me.
You had some bad times that i treid to be there for you (when i knew about them) and i had some bad time with the reaccuring issues i had (you were never one to judge me), you were patient towards me .... i would like to say thank you now ... you always told me i could do better ... for you i have and i will continue for myself and the memory of you ... i remember you said to me you would write me a reference for a job .... i never expected a glowing reference but JJ style it was ... thank you.
hearing of your death came around the same time as another one of my freinds ...i hope you have met her ... she would have loved you and vice versa.
My dad Gerry told me of your passing it was wierd i never expected you ever to be gone ...i never knew because i now live in essex and dont often get back to bradford... but i had always thought when i came up for longer than a weekend i would search you up and hoped we could have a chin wagg. Gerry was very fond of you and always asked if i had seen you ...my brother jason was devisted as you were good friends.
I would now like to send my condolences to your family ...
I hope you have happiness JJ i really do ... i dont know where your grave is ...but will find out and leave you some flowers.
No one can hurt you now xxxx love you always LIAM xx
Thanks xXx
Just like to say thanks JJ, i know you was looking down on my while i was doing my driving test!!
I PASSED hehe, i know youd be proud of me!!
Love you forever xxxxxxx
Using the options below you can add this memorial to your personal garden.
| I am John James' ... | |
| Add to Garden: | |
| Notifications: | Text Message |
There have been 82 candles lit for John James.
