| Location | Bradford |
| Age | 30 years |
| Date of Birth | 16/12/1974 |
| Date of Death | 19/06/2005 |
| Visitors | 1,010 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!..
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
amazing .
JJ you were the most amazing uncle anyone could ask for, doesnt seem right your not here, i wanted you to play at my wedding and watch my children grow up , but you wont ever be forgotten :) i love you so much , i think of you everyday i still hope its some sort of dream and you will be back again , i will think of you everyday till we meet again. i know your looking down on the family and i hope your proud of us. doing my GCSE's this year , i hope i do you proud in them. 6th form in september too. i miss you so much , i will never forget you , the times we had , miss them so much , i love you jj forever. i know laura and steph have a tattoo with your name , i will the minute i turn 18 so i always have a part of u with me , sometimes i still cry wen no ones around and look at photos of you, i wish you were here i miss you and i cant wait till i see you. i love you jj best uncle in the world always in my mind forever in my heart xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Don't judge me for how I left this world,
Remember the love I gave
A lot of grief will follow me
For the decision that I made
Changes appear in everyone's life
Some good, some bad
The one I chose for myself
Made everyone very sad
But in time the memories will heal the hurt of hearts
And my presence will be felt by all with an inner peace
Remember me when the sun is bright and laughter fills the air
And a moonlit night and a whisper of wind
Will tell you I am there
Don't look down on my family
Or fill their hearts with blame
For my leaving them without good-byes
Has left them so much pain
If I could go back in time
I would say a last good-bye
I would tell them to look to tomorrow
And for me.please do not cry."
author unknown.
The best Uncle in the world!
Every day i miss you more and more, There's not a day that goes by that i dont think of you. Even though your not here, I know that you can still hear me talking to you. I know that your in a better place, where you arnt hurting anymore, but i sooo wish you was still here, I will never ever forget you, and when I have my kids I will be telling them about you and how you was the best uncle in the world!! You will always be in my heart!! and I will never stop missing you!! I love you so much!! and miss you more than anything!! Love you JJ, forever and always!! xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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