My tribute to my friend Jon

Six months ago, a great man explained to me and Amy in a way that only he can, that we have to write a blog whilst we travel. This man is a media god of Norfolk, I knew him first before I really met him getting to know his personality through his Norwich city fanzine.  In time Jon would go on to make regular appearances writing columns for the EDP and who could forget his appearance on Radio Norfolk, the man even appeared on GMTV.

I met Jon in and around Norwich Union and by his own admission I was seen as a tad annoying “Always asking about Norwich” he would say. But luckily we were able to see through my faults when I met him, Geoff and Debs out In Australia.  There is a blog of this trip if interested please follow the link:

http://agentsontour.blogspot.com/2006_11_01_archive.html

The chapter called “Too much to bear” is the moment that I realized that he was the kind of man that when you’re in a conversation with Jon Day you are transfixed. The rest of the world is pale in significance. The man oozes intelligence in fact as a write this I don’t think I know any one more articulate than him.  We had a fantastic time getting to know each other and thankfully for me he saw I had a bit more depth then what he first suspected.

From this moment we would remain good friends. We had some amazing times such as a trip to Sheringham or Thetford to watch Norwich FC or going to watch a local gig. One thing we loved doing was going to get a bacon roll and a cuppa tea on Norwich Market where we were best placed to take in our beloved Norwich.  There are so many more stories that I remember fondly  but the times I will treasure the most is sitting at his home and listen to Jons views and opinions on everything. He was so engaging I always felt so lucky that I was there being entertained by Jon.  My favorite times with Jon is when we  used to tell stories and put a song to it or just play a song and explain what that song means to us. Before I knew it, it was the early hours of the morning; they say time fly’s when you’re having fun. When I was with Jon it always did. Here are a few songs that Jon picked:-

Bruce Hornsby- the way it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlRQjzltaMQ

The Cult- she sells sanctuary

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAdRCUsqg-U

Jon had a thirst for Knowledge, you see most of us would read an article for example on Zimbabwe and we would say to ourselves that’s sad and then move on.  If you were Jon Day you would research more info, buy books and carry the problem on your shoulders.  The man cared so much and would often explain how “we need to do something about this world”

Jon would often describe me as one of “life’s good guys” receiving that statement from a man like Jon always fills me with Pride. In truth I worship the ground he walked on when I used to explain how inspirational he was he never understood.

As the years went on Jon went through some ups and downs and I like many I tried so support him. One time I remember was playing chess with him, he won of course but he always felt that I was doing him a favor but in truth it was the other was around, just being friends with Jon has made me a stronger person and a more worldly person. Jons love of travel you could say helped inspire this Trip reassuring me and Amy that we were going to “smash it”

 I was meant to be meeting Jon in a few weeks on my return home we had a date in the middle of Norwich market to attend to.

But this weekend just gone Jon Day passed away.

And I know the fine city of Norwich has lost one of its finest.  A word that Jon used often was impeccable, and he was. I know that he could have done his own tribute much better than I ever could and he would have made you all laugh.  I am going to miss Jon Day so much I can’t get my head around how much. I feel blessed to have had the privilege to be known as his friend.

  A story that makes me smile right now is thinking about when Jon explained to me how he helped some streets kids in India. How he was pushing a young girl on a swing and at that point in his life he said he felt peace.

Well Jon, peace has found you. You now have your well deserved Peace.

I will miss you always and you will never be forgotten

RIP Jon Day

Yax