I must have missed something. Has there been additional news about Jonathan? My info just says deceased year unknown and now there are some posts. I had been wondering what happened and was saddened by it, although I did not know him personally. I only remember he was very nice.
I think we did some communication for, was it our 25th? I remember he looked like a huge success according to info provided.
Jonathan passed away in 1996. He took his own life. We had remained friends through college and into our twenties. He was at BC and I was at Brown so we were an hour apart. We took a major road trip I think sophomore yr and in 48 hours visited classmates in Mass and NY. I think Mike Straight was rushing for a frat? when we got to Cornell.
Jonathan officiated at our wedding, Camilla and I - yes we are Charles and Camilla. He didn't seem to find his place in the US and decided to go to England. Sadly, he announced this to us and said he did not want to maintain old contacts.
He was one of my very best friends ever. To this day I wonder how this could have had a different outcome.
Obviously, Jonathon was loved and admired. Very gifted. Thankful for this platform. And thanks to Judy for starting the conversation. Sort of remember that being one of her many strengths in high school.
My heart aches with sadness and joy for all the wonderful reflections on quirky, bright, loyal, and loving Jonathan. I wonder if he ever knew that so many people treasured his friendship, both during high school and after? He was also a dear friend of mine for many years, in fact one of my best friends during high school and college. I remember his sitting under our kitchen table in Annandale eating Hohos or cookies my mom had baked, typing “Pig” newsletters (don’t ask!) and otherwise being immensely silly and making us (often Charlie Welsh, along with others here and there) laugh until we cried. I remember his fierce loyalty in resigning from the yearbook staff after Col. Brown fired me from the staff for trying to protect other staffers from their discomfort with him. I remember all the dozens and dozens of letters we exchanged during our senior year in high school after I moved with my military family to Huntsville Alabama. He was my main source of information on what y’all were doing that year!! I remember when he officiated at Charlie and Camilla’s beautiful wedding. I remember how much he loved theology and how excited he was at the opportunity to preach to and serve his faith community in various New England churches. I also remember when he moved across the pond to (old) England and heard little from him after. By all accounts, he continued his love of theology and philosophy, was an expert witness on issues related to his own ear condition, published wonderfully thoughtful papers on ethics and disability, and so on. For all of his many accomplishments and admirers, however, I don’t know if he was content with his life on either side of the Atlantic, and I suspect we’ll never know what brought him to the choice to end it. I do know that he would have appreciated the outpouring of warm memories prompted by the news of his death. Jonathan is buried in the Pohick Churchyard in Fairfax, and his headstone reads: “Philosopher, Theologian, and Loving Son.” I wish he knew he was also a cherished friend to so many.
While I was the public face of T.J. Woozle, that character was the creation of Jonathan Carey. It was his idea, 100%, and his genius behind it. I first met Jonathan in 6th grade. He lived a few doors down from me and we spent 6-12 grades together. He was almost a mentor to me in many ways. I recently moved back into my old home to take care of my 93 year-old mom and when I walk I pass his old house. I always think of him. It was in his driveway that I saw my first BMW, his older brother's car.
I lost touch with him for a season but we reconnected around our mutual love of theology. He had gone to Princeton Seminary, where I also took some classes, and we had some lively discussions. In hindsight, he was right about most things . . . no surprise.
After I heard about his tragic death, I often reflected on the arc of our lives. As far as I know, he and I were the only two from our class who entered the ordained ministry--he as a Presbyterian (I believe) and I as an Episcopalian. Again in hindsight, I believe we both had a tendency toward melancholy and dysthymia. I only wish he had been able to find the help and comfort which he, in his various capacities, had offered to others.
I regret I never got the chance--or more precisely, took the chance--to thank him for all his many gifts to me.
Thank you, Jonarhan. I trust you found the peace you sought so long and faithfully. Sam
When Chris Hamlin assigned pages of classmates to search out, she listed who was already found, and that Jonathan was deceased. He was in "my group". I took my yearbook and 20th Reunion book on a road trip, and spent time searching for people (not hugely successful). In my group was another deceased classmate, Eric Creeden. I had no idea that Johnathan had taken his own life, but I have found each death to be sad. I think I found Eric was married, and died on Christmas Eve. I, too, remember Jonathan as so kind, gentle, extremely bright, with a welcoming smile. His "story" in the 20th Reunion booklet still impresses me with his great accomplishments (I just re-read it). This all makes my heart ache.
It seems rarely we are blessed with knowing an exceptional person who has a profound affect on our lives. Gathering from the many comments posted by our classemates, Jonathan was such a person. My heart felt condolences to all of you who cared for him. He is missed.
Jonathan was in my accounting class. He was always there if you needed help. I’m so sad that he won’t be there with us but wherever he is now he’s helping people and enjoying himself.
Mark Rosenberg
Oh contraire Judith Weaver! I remember you as a caring, sensitive artistic person. Looks like you are still.
Zoe Woodson (Lloyd)
I must have missed something. Has there been additional news about Jonathan? My info just says deceased year unknown and now there are some posts. I had been wondering what happened and was saddened by it, although I did not know him personally. I only remember he was very nice.
I think we did some communication for, was it our 25th? I remember he looked like a huge success according to info provided.
Patrick Mileur
Jonathan was an intelligent, empathetic, kind person. He had a great, sometimes offbeat sense of humor and was a trusted, treasured friend.
Judith, you are right about some of our youthful words and actions.
But you’re wrong about people reading your words. Your comments are valuable.
Charles Welsh
Jonathan passed away in 1996. He took his own life. We had remained friends through college and into our twenties. He was at BC and I was at Brown so we were an hour apart. We took a major road trip I think sophomore yr and in 48 hours visited classmates in Mass and NY. I think Mike Straight was rushing for a frat? when we got to Cornell.
Jonathan officiated at our wedding, Camilla and I - yes we are Charles and Camilla. He didn't seem to find his place in the US and decided to go to England. Sadly, he announced this to us and said he did not want to maintain old contacts.
He was one of my very best friends ever. To this day I wonder how this could have had a different outcome.
Mike Straight
Obviously, Jonathon was loved and admired. Very gifted. Thankful for this platform. And thanks to Judy for starting the conversation. Sort of remember that being one of her many strengths in high school.
Linda Wray
My heart aches with sadness and joy for all the wonderful reflections on quirky, bright, loyal, and loving Jonathan. I wonder if he ever knew that so many people treasured his friendship, both during high school and after? He was also a dear friend of mine for many years, in fact one of my best friends during high school and college. I remember his sitting under our kitchen table in Annandale eating Hohos or cookies my mom had baked, typing “Pig” newsletters (don’t ask!) and otherwise being immensely silly and making us (often Charlie Welsh, along with others here and there) laugh until we cried. I remember his fierce loyalty in resigning from the yearbook staff after Col. Brown fired me from the staff for trying to protect other staffers from their discomfort with him. I remember all the dozens and dozens of letters we exchanged during our senior year in high school after I moved with my military family to Huntsville Alabama. He was my main source of information on what y’all were doing that year!! I remember when he officiated at Charlie and Camilla’s beautiful wedding. I remember how much he loved theology and how excited he was at the opportunity to preach to and serve his faith community in various New England churches. I also remember when he moved across the pond to (old) England and heard little from him after. By all accounts, he continued his love of theology and philosophy, was an expert witness on issues related to his own ear condition, published wonderfully thoughtful papers on ethics and disability, and so on. For all of his many accomplishments and admirers, however, I don’t know if he was content with his life on either side of the Atlantic, and I suspect we’ll never know what brought him to the choice to end it. I do know that he would have appreciated the outpouring of warm memories prompted by the news of his death. Jonathan is buried in the Pohick Churchyard in Fairfax, and his headstone reads: “Philosopher, Theologian, and Loving Son.” I wish he knew he was also a cherished friend to so many.
Samuel Pascoe
While I was the public face of T.J. Woozle, that character was the creation of Jonathan Carey. It was his idea, 100%, and his genius behind it. I first met Jonathan in 6th grade. He lived a few doors down from me and we spent 6-12 grades together. He was almost a mentor to me in many ways. I recently moved back into my old home to take care of my 93 year-old mom and when I walk I pass his old house. I always think of him. It was in his driveway that I saw my first BMW, his older brother's car.
I lost touch with him for a season but we reconnected around our mutual love of theology. He had gone to Princeton Seminary, where I also took some classes, and we had some lively discussions. In hindsight, he was right about most things . . . no surprise.
After I heard about his tragic death, I often reflected on the arc of our lives. As far as I know, he and I were the only two from our class who entered the ordained ministry--he as a Presbyterian (I believe) and I as an Episcopalian. Again in hindsight, I believe we both had a tendency toward melancholy and dysthymia. I only wish he had been able to find the help and comfort which he, in his various capacities, had offered to others.
I regret I never got the chance--or more precisely, took the chance--to thank him for all his many gifts to me.
Thank you, Jonarhan. I trust you found the peace you sought so long and faithfully. Sam
Pat Erickson (Kana)
When Chris Hamlin assigned pages of classmates to search out, she listed who was already found, and that Jonathan was deceased. He was in "my group". I took my yearbook and 20th Reunion book on a road trip, and spent time searching for people (not hugely successful). In my group was another deceased classmate, Eric Creeden. I had no idea that Johnathan had taken his own life, but I have found each death to be sad. I think I found Eric was married, and died on Christmas Eve. I, too, remember Jonathan as so kind, gentle, extremely bright, with a welcoming smile. His "story" in the 20th Reunion booklet still impresses me with his great accomplishments (I just re-read it). This all makes my heart ache.
Thomas Ward
It seems rarely we are blessed with knowing an exceptional person who has a profound affect on our lives. Gathering from the many comments posted by our classemates, Jonathan was such a person. My heart felt condolences to all of you who cared for him. He is missed.
Nancy Brown (Williams)
Jonathan was in my accounting class. He was always there if you needed help. I’m so sad that he won’t be there with us but wherever he is now he’s helping people and enjoying himself.