The obituary notice of James Edward ELLISON

You know, we spent pretty much 24 hours a day together for 5 years and it wasn’t enough. 40 years wouldn’t have been enough. I loved every second of being with you. I genuinely appreciated and loved all the mundane moments with you. Just driving about in the car, sitting in Costco car park seeing who’d been tricked into the croissants and wondering why so many people were buying so much bottled water. We’d only known each other for three months when we went to Iceland together and that has to be my favourite road trip with you. Driving along in a complete white out - you slugging straight from a bottle of whiskey while driving along saying how dangerous the roads were. I didn’t feel nervous, I was with you, so I’d always be fine.

We were a team, you always had my back and I could go to you with anything. No secrets, no judgement, and the strength you feel having you on your team is unparalleled. Even though I’m not allowed on your crystal maze team, but that’s fine you’re too competitive for me anyway.

I watch Artemis and she does things every day (usually dangerous things) and I think James would be so proud. She’s got so much of your spirit and personality. Hopefully she’s a confident little chatter box just like you. I think it’s so unfair that you were taken before you had the chance to move to Shields and see her running about with friends and her cousins and really flourishing. She’s teamed up with Leo to make him get her snacks that she can’t reach in the kitchen and if that isn’t the James Ellison coming out in her then I don’t know what is. She can’t even talk yet so I don’t know how she’s done that.

I think about you at every moment, at every decision I think about what you would think, what you would say. We’re complete opposites though so sometimes I have to carry on even though you’d hate it, sometimes I know best, even though you’d never admit that..

Hey James

Sorry it’s taken so long to write this, in all honesty I just find it really hard to think of you because then I’m reminded about everything we’ve lost. You were everything to us. But to not write anything is such an insult, this page is around forever and these words are around forever so I’m going to try and do you justice.

I think I loved you from the moment we met. Granted, I don’t remember meeting you as I was so drunk on Long Island ice teas in Milan’s bar in Agonda. But I remember not wanting to be apart from you. I felt instantly safe and comfortable with you, even though you were driving me down dodgy back streets that I’d never seen before on a Royal Enfield falling into holes and past piles of rubbish. Your clothes were awful but your face was lovely and I guess our first date was going to the animal sanctuary together which is really quite lovely. I should have realised then that you were a talker, asking the staff a million questions and getting involved. But that’s the thing about you, you love to meet people, hear their stories, find out about their lives and their interests and I love that. I don’t want to talk to people but I want to know what they’ve said to you. There’s a saying that even the smartest person has something to learn from other people and you knew that and that’s what makes you so interesting as a person, not only because you’ve done so much but because you always want to learn more. You have a thirst for knowledge and for life. Which is what makes this so cruel. It couldn’t have been taken away from someone who appreciates life more.

There’s a word cap.. to be continued…

Thank You James for inspiring us all with your determined enterprise and authenticity!

Lovely James…. One of my favourite ever people. You came into my life when I met John in 1999 - the ‘summer of love’ I think you both called it. From that moment on I realised how awesome you were. And all my friends loved you too. Some of the best memories of you include dancing to King of my Castle in one of the Lancaster uni nightclubs, Leeds Love Parade (well that was an eye opener for me!), the many ace family parties, the many many camping trips - Brecon had to be the best - even though I was so cross with you!! You all pretending to have come home from Kandahar and getting special treatment was one of the funniest nights I’ve ever had! I’m crying laughing thinking about it! All my memories of you are happy ones James… you made the room light up, always positive, always up for it, always making everyone feel good. You had a knack for that. Thank you so much for being part of my life. The way you have coped over the last 5 years has been beyond inspirational. You have taught me so much about resilience, positive thinking, giving everything a go and living life properly. I’ll miss you so very much and will always love you. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace lovely James. Xxxx

James was my amazing, brave, inspiring nephew, taken way too soon. I have many wonderful memories of him growing up with my two children Eve and John. In later years we never lost touch, I remember him videoing my wedding twenty five years ago with my very large camcorder, his arm must have been hurting badly but he never complained. He came to my big birthday bashes apart form my 70th last year when he was too poorly with the effects of chemo that weekend, it wasn't the same without him. What made James so special was that he made me feel special, as he did with everyone. The warmest hug, the biggest smile, the dearest 'Hello Auntie Marilyn', oh I wish I could hear him again. The World will miss you James more than anything. Love you Always.
Marilyn Watts

Hey James,
This is so hard to write. We've known each other a long time in fact met at nursery in Oakwood then through primary, we sang in choirs in all schools even through high school and remained mates we've jammed out life soundtracks (chopsticks included, haha!) to jazz, rock and all in-between discussing UFC and best podcasts and TV series – You were the soundtrack to so many memories, introducing me to new music, going camping, playing poker, golf and favourites discussing travels, gigs, conspiracy and business ideas making millions and dissecting every detail In-between.
Remember all the crazy things we got up to? From getting chased of the forkies at Rylands to late nights at the Captain's Table, we never shied away from a challenge or a good laugh. We played poker, devoured spicy food, drank too much (probably a lot!), and shared every kind of emotion along the way.
Even though miles sometimes separated us, the plan was always to stay in touch. And you know what? You'll always be a part of me. Every good song, every adventure I take – I'll feel your presence, like you're there beside me, or maybe even whispering on my shoulder, "Been there, done that!" (But said with that playful glint in your eye).
I'm glad you're finally free from pain, dude. You earned your wings. Fly high, explore wherever your heart takes you. But know this – you'll be watching over us, and "I could use somebody, you know that I could use somebody. Someone like you and all you know and how you speak." (
Kings of Leon)
Later, my friend. You'll be roaming around in my heart forever. Xxx
Hez

I thought that James was awesome, from the very first day that I met him, and that never changed. We were 11 and had just started high school. We grew up together and we've been there for each other through all of life's ups and downs. We've shared countless holidays, guitar tips, games of chess, adventures, life events, gossip, plates of food, chemo sessions and bottles of sambuka.

I learnt so much from him and am grateful to have been among his best and closest friends.

I loved his confidence, his money making schemes, how he made everyone around him feel good, his music, his 'nothing is off limits' conversations, his mischief, his bravery, his ideas, his fads and his big heart.

I'll miss him forever and will never fill the space that he's left in our lives xxx