Stephen Richards:
I knew Jay in the 1980's when we lived close to each other in Nuneaton. We were in the Scouts together and spent many happy days camping or just sitting in his or my bedroom inflicting our appalling taste in music on each other or talking about Dungeons and Dragons (I seem to recall that I may even have been the one who got him into that, for which many apologies if you were ever subjected to his extensive knowledge on the subject).
I moved away from Nuneaton in 1984 and we kept in touch with letters and visits (I had my first illegal drink in a pub in the Crow's Nest with him) until university days, when I am sorry to say that we lost touch.
I hope that it is in some way a tribute to Jay's infectious personality that even though nearly 20 years have elapsed since then I still remember him with great fondness and from time to time have tried to find him through the internet with a view to getting back in touch. You can only imagine how my heart fell when on a whim I looked again today and found your page set up in his memory.
The world is a poorer place for Jay's passing and I can only offer my condolences to his friends and family who clearly loved him very much indeed and I am sure miss him every day.
Chris and Dick Hill:
Jason, our wonderful nephew. You were loved so much and we will treasure all the beautiful memories we have of you as a child and young man. All the smiles and laughter shared over the years when we have all been together as one big family - Christmas, Birthday's and Anniversary's. You will never be forgotten and always remembered with love and pride.
Louise Hughes (nee Hill):
The McCreights and Hills were quite a close family. We were their only cousins and they were our only cousins, and on top of that we were all born a year apart over a five year period 1969 to 1973. I was the second one born, so Jason was a year younger than me. Jason was always good fun, but also had a serious side to his nature. We are all incredibly proud of Jason - I remember staying up, listening to the radio to hear his name in the credits of 'Stop the Week' and watching the end of any La Plante production, more avidly than the programme, to see his name in the credits. I remember the hectic Christmases at Shakespeare Drive or at our house, and playing 'Chase the Ace' (and Uncle Bob moaning) and our Mum's coming up some harebrained scheme like going to Coombe in the snow or to watch the Hunt - when it wasn't on! So many memories that the five of us were part of, and now there's a big hole in the middle because Ja's not there.
Angelica:
I can't
believe it, it seems like only yesterday that we
were all at Kegs together where he was always the life and soul of the
party. I know that I only knew him for an instance and that it's been
years since we've seen each other but today I feel an emptiness which
I don't think I will be able to fill very easily.
I've spent most of the day remembering Kegs and how much fun we all
had. The parties which always had the same guest list but were
excellent and never dull, listening to the band and on occasion
singing with you, trips to Stratford, singing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody
in Jaime's back garden, our annual Christmas dinner, etc.
I think my fondest memories of Jake are related to the play we did
during our upper sixth form. He played my husband and we had to sing a
song together which was loaded with double enuendos. I remember going
to our first practice, and when he opened his mouth to sing I thought
I would pee my pants, truly I had never heard such an awful singing
voice. During the next few weeks we practiced and decided that we
would make the number funnier by singing badly on purpose. Then we got
to opening night and as soon as our song finished we were supposed to
kiss and fall to the floor, Jake wore an oversized cowboy hat, this
was because we were both uncomfortable and couldn't stop laughing when
we tried to kiss and so we hid behind the hat pretending and making
funny faces. Then as we feel to the floor someone was supposed to walk
in on us, however that night they decided to wait a while and Jake and
I didn't know what to do except roll around. Eventually, after what
seemed years, someone came on stage and as Jake stood-up his dungarees
fell down. The worst thing was that in the audience that night, were
my grandparents who had just arrived from Chile and they really had no
idea what the tall skinny bloke was doing with their granddaughter!!
When I think back on the time we shared I feel privileged to have known such
a gifted and special person almost as if I where in on an exclusive
secret.
Lynda La Plante:
I will dedicate the book to his memory. This will be the second book I have dedicated to him, the first was to thank him for all his work editing alongside me, now he's still with me but no longer beside me and it breaks my heart.
Neil Timms:
Although I had not seen Jason for a while (over
25 years?), the last time we were together there was Jason, Adam, me and my
brother sitting round a table playing Dungeons and Dragons!, I was always kept
informed of what he was up to through my Dad, a friend of Jason’s Dad. I always
thought of him every Christmas and Birthday when I would get a Card from Bob and
Kate.
My thoughts are with you all.
Love
Benny:
Trying to find the right words is difficult to do, but what I
remember fondly is this ginger whirlwind, that took a room by storm, was
passionate about everything, that would keep you enthralled in the discussion
you were having. What I remember the most, and maybe inappropriately, is that
you always said that what is the most difficult thing to ask of your friends is
‘Help’ and in some ways I feel I’ve let you down, but if it keeps your memory
alive, I will always be there for others who need it. Jason you will be sorely
missed I will always remember you fondly.
Kit:
Jason was my closest friend at Trinity College. My best
memories of that time are bound up with him – his wit, his kindness, his
infuriating ability to argue for hours about anything. I’ll miss him dreadfully
Matt Stradling:
A dear sweet boy I measured myself against his tremendous
talents daily. A pity I didn’t rule myself by his other qualities: gentleness,
joy, concern, passion and warmth. A better Welshman said it best: ‘Death shall
have no domain’
Vicky:
I just remember Jason as a huge presence in my university
life – posing on the fountain; writing ‘Wot no first’ in dark green paint on
Jeremy’s sitting room wall (we were redecorating!), just being there and being
kind. The photo I provided to the gallery reminds me of just one of the many sunny days we had.
Nicki:
Jason, what brilliant memories. I loved you coming and
drinking tea in my room all the time, which sounds boring but was always
hilarious. John said in his speech that you could make anything funny and I
remember becoming hysterical once when you said ‘underarm deodorant’ in a funny
way. How can that be funny? Lots of love.
Joffy Connolly:
My tall ginger fool! Lots of love
Zoe Heron:
Jason – soul mate doesn’t begin to do it justice. I love you, loved you and will always love you.
Libby Shearon:
A man with a kind and brilliant mind. Much missed, love Libby
Anna Humphries:
You were such a wonderful part of my life. Irrepressible,
exciting and always unconventionally romantic (a shoebox of jelly babies bought
from the factory springs to mind as one of my favourite gifts). I am sad you are
not here to write this as you always helped me find inspiration. I will miss
you. All my love.
Richard Hipkins:
Ja – I remember you as my first best mate – age 11 onwards. Remember all the
plays we wrote and performed like ‘Santa Stuck in Customs’ and 'The Last Cadburys
Crème Egg’ when we were 12. Loved all the times we had together as mates through
school and onto college. I think I had you as a mate through your best years.
I’ll always hold you dear – old mate.
Filigré
Dong:
A wonderful human being and a fine comrade
in my campaign for World Domination! You will be sorely missed, but the campaign
will continue in your name...
Jamie:
Jee, you featured in the best years of my life. You were a dazzling ray of
light and I will miss you, always. Sleep well my friend.
Paddy:
See you later Jason, Much love.
James Knowles:
I will certainly always remember him as the big ginger luvvie we had so many
laughs with. Long live the ginger bouff!.
Kerry Hinton:
Was looking at the KEGS photo last night and as per there was Macca striking
a pose, denim jacket collars up, cheeks sucked in, showing his best profile. You
could always rely on Macca when a camera was around.
Jason was a friend who we constantly got in trouble with, mainly at school. He was my pal, my buddy and someone who would always listen, that is after he had his say. I love him dearly, my mate always.
Elaine:
With lots of fond memories of fun filled parties. Never forget the big hat
in ‘Wild Women’
Rest in Peace
Harpreet:
The first time, age 8, a tall geeky boy, who am I to talk I had 5ft hair.
From that day you have always been special. Really don’t know what to write but
you know what I feel. Good times and good laughs, memories that will last
forever. There will be many more to come both here and where you are. Take care
and rest in peace Macca. Always
Clare Brookes:
The first time I met Jason was at Elaine’s wedding. I didn’t know any of
John’s friends, but Jason greeted me with such warmth and friendship that I felt
like I known him for years. He became a true friend and I will remember him with
great fondness and love. God bless.
Sue:
Jason was someone I knew before I met him – he was John’s friend and I was
Clare’s (since she was a baby person). Jason and I just clicked. We had writing
in common and were both passionate about that. I only realised today that we
shared the same birthday – Feb 8th – no wonder we were so alike. Only I’m not
6’5” and ginger. Gonna miss you Jason. I hope you know that you were loved.
Always.
Kev:
On sitting down to think the memories, piled one on top of the other.
Pointless nights debating literature – where you were far to kind to point out
that I might be making things up. Sample sketches with James
Elias-------------------- . We shall miss you
John:
I couldn't write anything in the 'memories' book at the funeral; there were just too many crowding in on that day. Since then, they keep coming back, and that's no bad thing.
I have been comforted and sustained by all the happy memories I have of my best mate and Best Man...lots of wonderful memories sharing our love of literature and imaginative flights of fancy during school; our own - typically off-kilter - attempts at literature ("Waiting for Don Amelio") and music (the legendary band: "Isambard Kingdom Brunel & The Concrete-Based Clifton Suspension Bridges").
Most of all though, just those moments of friendship, taken for granted at the time but so precious now: the genuine feeling of delight from you, Jay, when I told you I was going to propose to Clare; your help choosing the engagement ring, your awesome turn as best man...and, between all the big life events... just being there as a mate; on the phone, or meeting up in a Clerkenwell bar during one of our many - treasured - "long lunches"...
I knew you well before you became ill, and I knew you better after. And it is a huge testament to you that you were always a delight to meet up with as a generous friend - even when things weren't going so well for yourself, your first concerns were always as to how I was doing!
I - and I'm sure many other people who knew you - will not get over your death easily. And that's fine: because you were a big part of my life and you'll continue to be so and I'll miss you terribly. But I know that you would never have wished to have caused anyone distress: so I'll remember you with gladness. To have had you as a friend, the sadness is a small price to pay.
I'll really miss having someone who gets my jokes though (you were in a minority of one!) and those Clerkenwell haunts will never be the same...
Cheers mate
John x
If anyone has any more memories that they would like added to this site, please email them to: memories@jasonmccreight.co.uk
