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Memorial Keepers(1)
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Isabel Why
John's Child
John "Wicked John" Why
1934 - 2025
1934 - 2025
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Tributes
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Pauline Jordan
Thinking of you Cousin Betty and family as a year goes by. Remember those happy memories of dear cheeky John. RIP.
Caitriona & Mary
I happened upon honorary Irishman John when I worked with his daughter. She said "My Dad" a lot, pausing on the down beat. For John was no ordinary dad. A trickster of anansi school, the ghost in many a machine. Nothing fundamentally changes from the outside nor from homogeneity. And when you impose own order on an entire nations of others, you create whole nations of rebels, tricksters and cute hoors. Kindred. And so it came to pass that almost 6 years ago now we assembled in the Colin Campbell in Kilburn so that John could celebrate his birthday by singing a rousing Seven Drunken nights (refrain = "you're drunk, you're drunk, you silly old fool, but still you cannot see....etc"). Pictures attached. John - we would have granted you the freedom of Clonmel, if we had the authority. But we don't. And your regard for authority is pretty low. And no-one really knows what the honour confers anyway except that we feel sure you would have wanted the headed notepaper. May we instead wish - because we feel you would be disappointed if we didn't - that your glass may still be full, and that your roof may always be strong and may you be half way to heaven before the devil knows you're dead. Slán go fóill, a chara.
Melanie Goh
In 1981 my parents were newlyweds who had me in their new home in St Alban's, Hertfordshire. Uncle John and my dad were colleagues at GE computers and very quickly became goods friends. It's because of that friendship that they kept in touch over the years and Uncle John and Auntie Betty have been part of my life from the day I was born, to when I had my first child, and until now. They've hosted and housed me as a student and as a new Mum and I've always felt like I had family in Edgware. It was Uncle John who often shared his wise words and he became a paternal figure I looked up to when mine was absent. He knew the right time to put his witty spin on anything that was too serious. When I visited Uncle John and Auntie Betty in 2000, it was my first time back in England since when I was a baby. They took me to our old house and we relived memories. He even took me along to court to fight a speeding ticket he'd been slapped with. His appeal of course was approved and that was one of the many instances I saw firsthand how clever he was. I will miss his endless life stories and silly jokes. For friends of mine who have met Uncle John, I am so happy he touched their lives. No matter how brief the encounter, his inimitable character left such an impression on them. From being a speedster to his daily Eastenders, to climbing up a ladder for plums, to hatching chocolate eggs for his grandchildren- he has always behaved like a gentleman half his age. His zest for life coupled with his devotion to his family and friends is unlike any other. He truly lived up to being Wicked Uncle John.
Kristian Dunnage
I had the absolute pleasure of seeing John for the last time when Izzy & Max had a birthday party a little while ago. The garden was full of rampaging kids and John had a fire going and was throwing bits of old household goods on it...I was immediately taken by how dangerous this was, but also how much I condoned this kind of behaviour thought to myself, "There are lots of life lessons/safety lessons for these kids to here." I decided to make small talk with John. I could tell he didn't remember meeting me previously, which made the candid conversation even funnier to me. I complimented him on his great fire and total lack of concern for the children's apparent safety...We exchanged remarks such as 'What doesn't kill/mame them, will just make them stronger." I was loving it! I mentioned how fit and well he was looking and the conversation went like this (I'll never forget it): John: 'The secret is to think about fucking all the time, even if you aren't capable of it. Fuck! Fuck! Fucking!!!! You just need to think about it constantly, have it at the forefront of your mind. It'll keep your brain alert and your body strong." Me: "I'll keep that in mind, John." John: "It's all mind over matter. I read about a gentleman that went into a hospice with cancer. He said to the nurses, 'Don't expect me to be here long, I'm going to walk out of here in a couple of weeks," and he did. He beat it and all the nurses were shocked. He just though to himself 'This cancer isn't going to kill me, I'm going to kill it.' Me: "John, I thought you was going to say he thought to himself 'I'm going to fuck all these nurses. I'm going to fuck everyone of them. Fuck! Fuck! Fucking!!!!...." John fixed me with a look, I swear with a little twinkle in his eye, and gave me a slight, wry smile. Not long after this, I was hospitalised and in a coma for a short while. Izzy was one of the very first people to phone me when I got home. My head was really fuzzy and I reminisced with her about that interaction. We laughed our tits off and it was really what I needed. Izzy told me that her dad had said 'Who was the fella with the big beard?' When he told him he apparently went 'Hmm.' That felt like getting John's approval. What an honour. RIP, John x
Jane
How did John make an impact on your life?
We were introduced to John by our dear friend Ann. My husband was having problems at work which was very stressful for both of us. John was fantastic & had an answer for everything. He put us at ease & wrote a few letters to the employer. Although he didn’t keep his job Johns letters were instrumental in getting compensation which was a huge relief. I would call John a warrior archetype fighting for justice for the underdog. He didn’t do it for recompense or to gain anything but just to offer kindness & support. There aren’t many people like him left in the world what an amazing man.
Arunes (Naz) Sarkar
I remember first meeting John 28 years ago when I was a student with Isabel his daughter. I have plenty of anecdotes but I’ll just pick this one out as fairly representative. I was on the way over to their house and got a fine for not having the proper tube ticket. When I got to their house I explained what happened and that I would just pay the fine - it was only 10 quid. John was apoplectic. He ushered me into his office and began writing a detailed letter to London transport about how I was trying to get off the train at an earlier stop but almost got my private parts jammed in the closing doors. Needless to say the fine was revoked. A year ago he went to get a new car (at 88) and he started speaking Arabic with the person to negotiate a better deal. When I first met him I thought here is a man who knows how to live life. He has had a profound impact on me. I love his rantings on Facebook about how the press stories about the royals and his tip that the fruit machines in service stations are money back machines providing you don’t get too greedy. He was I think the sharpest person I have ever met. He has had a profound impact on me. Love to all! Arunes
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