Jeremy Bullas. Rest in Peace
Tragically on Sunday 19th April 2009 Jeremy lost his life, suffering a heart attack after a game of soccer at Lake Sylvan, Orlando Florida. He leaves behind the love of his life Mary Jo, and three children, Alix, Sophie and Jack.
I have been very blessed to be able to call Jeremy a friend for the past few years, a blessing I know that many people here are glad to have shared.
When I first met Jeremy it was immediately apparent that we shared many of the same experiences as younger men, including football, music and where we had grown up to name but a few.
We spent lots of time talking about the olden days of Friday nights out after work, going to the match on a Saturday-or trying to catch the results in the window of Reddifusion when the lads were away, playing sports in the snow and rain, a curry on the way home then falling asleep on the night service; that type of thing. The conversations were always alive with characters and color, vivid memories from a man who had really enjoyed and made the most of growing up with great family and great friends. I always cherished the chance to talk with Jeremy as did a lot of you here today, and it is a shared loss that we won’t have that chance again.
But we do have the opportunity to take heart from the memories of those times, times that are now more precious than we may have realized, and forever reserve a place in our hearts for the smile, warm welcome, intelligent insight, wit and banter that made Jeremy so special. It would be remiss of me to stand here without talking about Jeremy the footballer, and whilst I acknowledge he was a first class cricketer, and raconteur, I know his first love was kicking a pigs bladder around (but enough of his run-ins with the police in Manchester).
I have a photo of Jeremy playing in the Memorial Cup last year heading the ball, it’s kind of blurry and he is on his tip toes with the opposition two or three feet in the air all around him, and although he knew it would never make the cover of Four-Four-Two, he was proud of that photo, proud that he had won the ball; beaten if only for a instant, men half his age, and despite any question marks over his aerial prowess, Jeremy knew that for that moment he was on top. Memories of Terry Butcher with his head in bandages or Stuart Pearce putting the penalty demon to bed against Spain in ‘96 flashing through one’s mind, all when the boy from Staffordshire made that little patch of Apopka his own. I was so pleased that it brought him joy, he deserved it. It’s therefore so very bittersweet that a man who loved the beautiful game so much, would spend his last hours on the pitch.
And a man with a simpler approach to the game couldn’t be found. In Jeremy’s words and I quote, “Look for the people wearing the same colored shirts as you, look for the one who is nearest and has space around him, give him the ball”. After a few pints it became apparent that there was actually more to it than that, and that Robson and Venebles missed out by favoring Gascoigne to boss the English midfield over the ‘Hednesford Harrier’, but the sentiment was always clear, do the simple things well and everything else will take care of itself.
And what is the simplest thing? Love? Love for family, love for friends. Those of us who knew him best saw that love had taken him to a new level in the past couple of years. A renewed and invigorated Jeremy basking in the relationship that he and Mary-Jo had created, being marveled by Jack, Sophie and Alix on a daily basis. Like the proverbial ‘duck to water’ Jeremy had fully embraced all of the responsibilities and duties required of him to be involved so closely with such a wonderful family. Discussions of the weekend’s games took up a lot less of our regular lunches, the talk was more about the future than the past, the planned vacations, the homework, the growing pains and best of all, the opportunities. I think that Jeremy finally felt complete, taking pleasure in shaping the new pieces of his puzzle; making it all fit.
Mary-Jo, Jack, Sophie, Alix, he adored you all, you opened up a very special place for him and I know he would like me to thank you for that on his behalf. Again it so bittersweet. We are all going to share memories today, and we all feel a common sense of loss and confusion over why he was taken away. The pain of the loss will be with us for some time, but it will subside, the joy that Jeremy brought to us all will wash it away. So as I eluded to earlier; let’s hang on to that joy and carry it with us, keeping the memory, the very soul of a good friend alive long after today, he would’ve done the same for any one of us. Cheers Jez.
April, 21st 2009Family & Friends 27 Comments
Comments
Comment # 17
April 22, 2009
Everyone at Royal Electric Company sends our condolences to Mary Jo and family. Jeremy always would tell us little stories of the family including stories of the dogs. He will be greatly missed.
Comment # 18
April 22, 2009
JB,
I will surely miss having a couple of drinks with you in St. Andrews. You were also there when I needed someone to talk to. You really are a good guy.
Rest in peace buddy !!!
Harold
Comment # 19
April 24, 2009
Our heartfelt thoughts to Jeremy’s family and many friends.I only met JB a few times myself but he was a lovely,fun guy. He was at the only New Years party I ever went to with Chris and everyone had a great old time.I am so very sorry that another young man has been taken too early. Words are too hard to find. Here is what JB wrote after we lost our beautiful Chris ...
“Chris, I’ll miss you in so many ways that I couldn’t possibly fit them all in here. Your laugh, your smile, your unswerving support for Leeds but most of all your fierce patriotism. I know that if you could speak to us now you would tell us in no uncertain terms: don’t worry boys, just remember that some corner of this foreign field will remain forever ENGLAND. Love you mate. JB.”
I’m sure that JB is saying to you guys the same
now “Don’t worry boys, just remember that some corner of this foreign field will remain forever ENGLAND.” God Bless you all,Fran and John Stivers
Comment # 20
April 24, 2009
Another young friend that will be in my thoughts but will not see again. Shocking news. My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.
Rest in peace Gimpy
Comment # 21
April 29, 2009
I am new to St Andrews and after reading about Jeremy and the love EVERYONE felt for him, I hope to one day become a part of this family as well. To all of you who are grieveing, my thoughts go out and hope you find solace in the wonderful memories and stories I can tell will be told for years to come. Many of the comments brought me to tears as I read them.
To his family…I am so sad for your loss, and can see that you have so much support here. What a great thing at this time in your lives.
And I am sad I never met the man everyone calls friend…JB. You will have to fill me in on his life and how he lived it over a pint (or 2, 3, 4…)
Dennis (Denny from Deland)
Comment # 22
May 17, 2009
guys, I knew Jez as a youngster growing up in hednesford UK all those long years ago and remember vividly the parties we used to have during the 6th form years (16 -18) at his dads house whilst his parents were ‘away on the boat’.....a barge on the local rugeley canal!!
I heard about this in the local pub on friday night and couldn’t believe it , its been a long time since i last saw Jez -over 20 years!- but I was very sorry to hear of his death - I have passed this onto some people I am still in touch with and I’m sure they will all feel the same.
RIP Jez matey
Comment # 23
June 21, 2009
To the numerous friends in Florida. May 21st 2009.
Sincerely
The many memories that all of you have sent are very, very much appreciated by all of us, here, in England.
I certainly hadn’t realized until now, just what he meant to you and, of course, how much companionship and welcome he received.
It is touchingly aware and comforting to read your messages which are so clearly written. They more than anything speak of his nature and how well he has enjoyed being one of ‘the Boys’.
Perhaps the coaching book I am sending will be useful—it’s the least I can do to keep your team on the winning track.
I am very, very grateful, too, that Sylvia and Jeff have been eased through a traumatic experience—thanks to your exceptional kindness.
Thanks everyone.
Ron
Comment # 24
June 21, 2009
Dear Friends,
We just wanted to say many, many thanks to St. Andrews Football Club, Team JB and Army JB for all of their help and kindness.
There are so many of his very good friends, whose care and kindness, respect, and love, overwhelmed us.
We want you all to know how very much we appreciated this.
It helped Jeff and myself through a very sad and difficult time and we are, and remain very grateful to everyone.
I am sure Jeremy was watching with great pride for your 6-2 victory on that first Sunday afterwards, and cheering you on to a fantastic win.
Jeremy’s memory will live on through your kindness and support.
Kindest regards and very best wishes,
Sylvia and Jeff B.
Comment # 25
September 08, 2009
Very sorry to hear of Jeremy’s passing; a few of us knew him for a time at Morgan Grampian Publishing in Manchester and I remember him excitedly telling of us his impending move to Astor Publishing (if memory serves).
He obviously made a life over the pond and I’m sure I speak for us all when I pass my condolences.
Tim Mullin, Bolton, UK.
Comment # 26
September 09, 2009
Like Tim, I too worked with Jeremy at Morgan Grampian in Manchester in the early 90s. A good guy, good company and very, very brave to be an Arsenal supporter in the district of Manchester where we worked - Old Trafford. All you UK and ex-UK football fans will know what that means.
I know I speak for all his old Morgan Grampian mates when I say sincere condolences to all Jeremy’s family and friends.
Mike Dunn
Northwich, UK
Comment # 27
September 18, 2009
I moved to England in 1992 to be Managing Director of a publishing company, and Jeremy was one of the top salespeople. I returned to the US a few years later, and Jeremy wanted to move to America. I offered him a position with our company, and he took it. He didn’t have everything squared away to be able to work in the US, but he came early and he would pop out of the country and back. I will never forget the call from Jeremy in Canada when they had caught on to his “technique,” and wouldn’t let him back in the US.
He finally got everything straight and came to the US legitimately. He had a heart attack the first month or so on the job (about 1997). Our company had a 90-day wait for insurance, so he had no insurance in the US. I was just sick.
We have had the “Jeremy Bullas Rule” ever since in every company that I have owned or operated. The Rule is that we get people insured as fast as humanly possible with no mandatory waiting period. It had helped others on several occasions.
Jeremy was a great guy, a fabulous salesperson, and a good mate. My wife and I are extremely sad at just hearing this news.
Comment # 16
Kristin & Stephen Shutler
April 22, 2009
Jeremy, it is still so hard to put my arms around your sudden good bye. I liked you from the day we first met in early 2001. You were always such as wonderful soul and man. I loved hearing you laugh and talk, and guess that God needed a cool sounding angel with the biggest heart.
I will always remember sharing pints together and our talks about things from differences in religions to the type of gravel in a parking lot (it never mattered what we discussed, as I always enjoyed our talks and time together). I also had a blast “freaking you out” with some of my random comments, that you later realized were accurate. It was also cool when you stopped being freaked out, which meant that you had gotten used to me
. Regardless, I would still find ways to make you blush ~ it was my mission! I miss your smile sooooo much. I miss your laugh. I miss so much about you that I cannot think straight at times!
Jeremy, I am such a lucky person to have had you in my life for the past 8+ years. You will always have a special place in my heart! I still think that I am going to receive a text message from you or a call, but then I come back to reality. A reality without my Jeremy is going to be tough. I will miss our dinners (with you and the family), and playing board games. Regardless, I will fondly remember our times together!
Over the years, you became so important to me and then to Stephen. We were looking forward to our dinner at your house this week; after returning from vacation. Plus, Stephen was looking forward to going camping with you and Jack. The loss of our Jeremy has put our world into a fog, and we both are speechless ~ and just cannot understand why you were taken at such a young age, at such good health, at a wonderful up time in your life ...
Our thoughts and prayers will remain with you, and with Mary Jo, Jack, Sophie and Alix. We are very fortunate to have them still in our lives, and we will make sure that we are always there for them. Stephen still looks forward to a guys camping trip and will have another friend who has three sons tag along (it will be a lot of fun). Stephen will never be able to replace you as a father/father-figure, but he will definitely (as will I) be there to help with love, guidance and friendship. My bond with Mary Jo has already grown stronger, and I feel confident that this bond will continue to strengthen as the day’s progress. For this, I am most fortunate, as she is such a lovely person. Jeremy, they miss you so much! They are so awesome in their own way!
I feel blessed to have had you in my life, and feel blessed that I will continue to have Mary Jo, Jack, Sophie and Alix in our lives.
Hey, when you are ready, please send Mary Jo a sign that you are doing well. I continue talking to you and David, my late husband. I believe that you two have now met. On Monday, I asked David to greet you and help you though the beginning of your newest journey. I have a strong belief that you are doing well and are at peace looking over your family and your friends.
I MISS YOU! I LOVE YOU!
Kristin & Stephen Shutler