I want to welcome you to a service to celebrate the life of John Lancaster. My name is Robin Junker and I am a lifelong friend of the Simon’s family and, grew up with the beauty of John’s presence intermittently throughout my whole life. And I too was not untouched by his peacefulness, care.So it is an honor to be here.
During this service, you are free to listen, to laugh, to cry and to tell stories of John’s life.
We are going to begin our time telling some stories of John. Then Lisa has a gift that we will present to Patrick, a special friend of John’s. David & Becca Simons have prepared a video about John’s life and the world around him. And after the closing you are invited to continue this celebration sharing stories, being together.
The first story is one I will share that was written by Rachel Simons and then I am going to open it up to others who would like to speak.
John has always been ahead of his time – in many ways, but I want to tell you a story about John that shows how he was decades ahead of technology like cell phones, GPS, and other navigational aids. For John, a lot of these communication devices and location locators seem to be either in his head or a reflection of his direct link with the stars.
John was on his way to DJ at Jamie Magee’s wedding in Boston. On his way to Boston early in the day, he dropped Lisa off at our parents’ house in Lynnfield, just north of Boston. This was the first time he had ever been to this small town where the many roads and the many houses all look remarkably alike! John planned to stay with Jamie after the wedding. After the party at maybe 2 a.m., John’s plan was to follow Jamie home. John said to Jamie, something like: “OK, I’ll follow you, don’t lose me”. The story goes that Jamie ran through a red light and left John somewhere in the middle of Boston considering his options.
John figured he just might be able to find Lisa’s house again. But remember: no cell phone, no GPS, he’d only been there once before, and, now it’s dark.
The first part of the miracle is that John found his was to Lisa’s parents’ house. Apparently he used his special internal homing or tracking beacon – his incredible attachment to Lisa.
The second part of the miracle is what happens next: he rings the bell and my mum answers the door. Middle of the night. Bathrobe and slippers. She sees a man with a brown shirt holding a box. “Oh, Hello?”
John says: “Hi. I’m John. Is Lisa home?”
Mum thinks to herself: It’s a bit late for the UPS man to be coming by! And a bit odd that he wants to see Lisa. But he seems all right.
Mum says: Oh. Yes, just down there! She points to Lisa’s room.
Mum goes back to bed.
So perhaps the second part of the miracle is that John’s simple presence was reassuring – reassuring enough that Mum simply knew to let him in!
I remember at Lisa and John’s wedding, in her vows she said, “John, you came back from the future to be with me.” I remember that sounding so odd, but yet intriguing…interesting.
Lisa always spoke of John as having an unearthly quality…perhaps his wisdom, his care, his devotion came from another special place…or was it simply that he could never get it right when it came to hair or clothing. But what is fashion when there was 20 inches of fresh powder to trail blaze through, or miles of the bluest ski to become one with….an unearthly being so rooted in the earth.
Whatever it was about John that made him special ---whatever it was for you--is what we all are here today to cherish in our hearts…
It is what you will miss most about him that has the power to change you into a better person.
It is often said that the depth of our love is the depth of our pain.
When someone as deeply loved as John is gone, there will be deep pain, but let us not be afraid to feel the healing universal love that John was so obviously part of…let the reassuring presence of that love comfort us.
Lisa and her family would like to present this engraved poem to Patrick Heidenreich. Patrick and John were kindred spirits.Lisa thanks Patrick.
{Click here to download movie}
“Skier, helicopter pilot, son, friend, sibling, macgyver-esque technician and the perfect husband: John was amazing in every role. Be it on earth, sea or in the air, John had a great love, respect and passion for all that was around him. His love of life is something we all aspire to have.”
Spare me no pity andShrug off the pain
Secure in the knowledge
That I’d do it again
For each of us is created to die
And within me I know
I was born to fly.
May peace be in your hearts, the peace that exuded from John’s very being. Amen.
{Click here to download movie}
Lisa’s Thank You read by Robin Junker: For support, love, and humour I want to thank my friends in Denver: Christine, Davyd, Adam, and Michael. And my friends from Vail: Ron, Sloan, Linda, Amy, and Beth. With special thanks to Bob for coaching help with my high intensity, high altitude emotional training in preparation for today’s event.
To my parents, Margaret and Tony, for all they did to produce four kids who live and love as we do, with bonds of friendship that enrich our lives. And for indulging me and Rachel in our horse craziness from a very early age.
My siblings: Rachel, David, Daniel, Becca, Suzi, Don, Gina and Rick, and to my horse Eddie, for more than words can express.
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