An ode to Jake (23 June 1964 – 29 May 2012) My mate Jake, a more generous spirit you’ll never find, A big heart, a big man, warm and kind. Bias not in his vocabulary, opened my mind to see, to be me, And part of his family, two fingers to adversity. An intellectual, quiz master, he would always know, The coach, the mentor, helping others to grow. Discerning and modest, courageous and adventurous, Decisive and assured, he had time for all of us. Self employment, affluence, labels, the gadget man, Unemployment, off the rails? Nah, his own man, he had a plan. A house in the Heath, sausages and dodgy solicitors, The cocktails, the cards and Pronto Pizzas. Ritzies, Neros, Romans, a Jester, who would guess? The magnificent seven, one in each,... well, more or less. In to sport, the Reds, ping pong, tennis, golf, darts and pool, Competed with passion, but everyone a winner! The king of cool. Parties and karaoke, pina coladas, and holidays without a tan, Part of my family, a true friend, my best man. Recent times, Cathy and the girls, in a happy place, No clue of the challenge he would have to face. Dignity, strength in numbers, we all stood fast, The amazing Cathy and Gary, defiant to the last. So it’s not the end mate, just another part of our storey, In that big cocktail bar in the sky, order one for me. Forever, my mate Jake.