Tony Jones
Chancellery Guard
Professor Chronotis
Still rockin' along!
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Post by Tony Jones on Jan 25, 2019 17:33:48 GMT
 This thread commemorates the life of Jason Ward, former member of this forum, who sadly passed away in January 2019. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories of Jason. He will be missed I have passed our condolences on to Jason's family and have the following details regarding his funeral: It will take place at 11.00am on Thursday 31st January at Hastings Crematorium, The Ridge, TN34 2AE. Family flowers only. Donations to Brighton and Hove Mind via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jasonfwardI have heard from Jason's uncle that his Doctor Who affiliations will be marked in that he will dematerialise. I believe this is connected to an event to be held later this year: "You are also very welcome to come to Sheffield on Saturday 13th April to celebrate his life and to launch him into the cosmos. Please let me know if you plan to come." I am in touch with Jason's uncle and should anyone in the UK wish to attend I can pass on details.
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Post by masterdoctor on Jan 25, 2019 18:11:17 GMT
I remember when I first came to this forum, Jason very kindly accepted me into this family almost right away. He was a wonderful person to talk and converse with and his enthusiasm for Doctor Who was infectious. He was also someone who, while not aware of it, was a bit of a guiding rock, as he was someone who had openly talked about his atheism and helped me be comfortable with my own, in this case, non-belief. And when I was graciously accepted as a moderator, he along with Ela and Elka, very kindly took the time out of their days to show us the ropes. The courage we saw from him on a daily basis as he dealt with his illness was incredible and inspiring, and I feel that I was lucky enough to be apart of somewhere that hopefully helped him in times of trouble. And finally, I raise a virtual, as well as a real glass, toast in your honour, and shall listen to an audio in your name.
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Post by mark687 on Jan 25, 2019 18:21:06 GMT
A voice of common sense and good source for discussion on varied topics across both Forums.
He'll be missed
RIP Jason
Sincerely
Mark
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Post by Digi on Jan 25, 2019 18:36:56 GMT
Knowing it was coming doesn't make this easier, but I am grateful that his pain has ended and that he is at peace now.
I admire his bravery in soldiering on through these last few months, and the courage it must have taken to share his tribulations with us at the DU forums--without once losing his cool on anyone here. A lesser person wouldn't have had it in them.
My deepest condolences and best wishes to Jason's family and loved ones.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2019 18:41:20 GMT
Of course, there's that part of the brain that says, 'at least he isn't suffering anymore'. But to lose someone who was so important to this forum is just ... very, very sad. RIP, and condolences to his family and friends.
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Stevo
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Post by Stevo on Jan 25, 2019 18:53:10 GMT
Sad news. RIP mate.
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Post by muckypup on Jan 25, 2019 19:45:37 GMT
So glad to know, it’s bothered me, worried he was suffering
Sad but happy he is at peace..........he was very brave to make his problems public, and hope he felt comfort from his virtual friends in his final days.
Rest well buddy,
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Jan 25, 2019 21:28:49 GMT
Behind the scenes on the Moderator side of things he was a great sounding post. Direct and to the point, never mean, factual but fair. My view was he didn't mince his words, he meant what he said and he said what he meant.
Vale Jason Ward.
@-,-/---
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Post by coffeeaddict on Jan 25, 2019 21:46:09 GMT
He and I had some very good discussions when this board first started and the original group of moderators were trying to workout how best to keep things running nicely. That led to a pretty good friendship being formed.
He will be missed.
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Post by charlesuirdhein on Jan 25, 2019 23:23:50 GMT
Any time he contacted me privately he was the soul of loveliness and direct thought, even when we disagreed on things. He'll be missed.
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Post by constonks on Jan 26, 2019 0:50:51 GMT
It was terrible to hear about the agony he was in those last days but it's even sadder to hear he's gone. Thanks for everything, Jason. RIP.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2019 2:25:59 GMT
Even in the worst excesses of his illness, he was always striving to do what was best for the community.
He never complained, never howled, he bore every terrible thing with dignity. He never succumbed to fear.
Jason Ward will be treasured, celebrated and missed.
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Post by newt5996 on Jan 26, 2019 3:20:40 GMT
Perhaps a little solace for those whom Jason has left behind can be found in one of my favorite books by one of my favorite people:
"No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away..."
- Sir Terry Pratchett, Reaper Man
And at least on this forum he is gone, but never forgotten.
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Post by glutamodo on Jan 26, 2019 4:02:40 GMT
I've tried to write a comment a few times now. Jason never seemed to me to be fishing for sympathy here, rather just straight out reporting on a rather horrible state of reality.
Now, I think maybe I was trying to front-load the news of his passing when I (as mentioned elsewhere) must have dreamed about learning that he had passed and was trying to come to terms with it, only to wake up, go online and find he was still soldiering on.
The other night at work, we learned that an older co-worker whose wife was battling illness for some time now, lost her. I did not know her personally, but it immediately made me think of Jason, whom I also never met in person, but certainly knew as per the running of this Forum, and whom I had not heard from in many days. I think the two combined at that time in that I knew he was also gone, which ends up being the case.
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Post by elkawho on Jan 26, 2019 4:26:55 GMT
Sometimes Jason was the only moderator who agreed with me and shared my views, and he was alway so much better at articulating those views than I. I always appreciated him, and was thrilled when he came back from his moderating hiatus. He leaves a empty space here in so many ways.
This has showed me how much all you folks have become so much more than strangers behind a screen. As someone said to me earlier, he was one of us, and I'll miss him.
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Post by acousticwolf on Jan 26, 2019 9:19:11 GMT
Jason and I were not friends, and as Moderators we often clashed in the early days of the forum.
His forthright views and strong sense of justice meant he always came up with an angle we hadn't thought of in Mod discussions, forcing us to reevaluate everything we did as a Mod Team, ultimately helping the forum become a better place for everyone.
He never dressed things up, or pandered to convention but "said it as he saw it". He never shied away from discussion but you always knew where you were with him. He wasn't a Saint and he had faults (as do we all), but he was what I class "a genuine person".
When he messaged me about returning to Modhood a year ago, it was during a difficult time for me and one where forum Mods were a bit "thin on the ground". His return enabled me to step away from the forum so I could deal with my own demons, without feeling guilt. He never knew, but I am forever grateful for that.
The Eleventh Doctor said "We're all just stories in the end, just make it a good one". I don't know if Jason's story was a good one, but I know he touched many lives in various ways, so that means something...
Rest easy Jason ... job done.
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Jan 26, 2019 9:29:50 GMT
Jason and I were not friends, and as Moderators we often clashed in the early days of the forum. His forthright views and strong sense of justice meant he always came up with an angle we hadn't thought of in Mod discussions, forcing us to reevaluate everything we did as a Mod Team, ultimately helping the forum become a better place for everyone. He never dressed things up, or pandered to convention but "said it as he saw it". He never shied away from discussion but you always knew where you were with him. He wasn't a Saint and he had faults (as do we all), but he was what I class "a genuine person". When he messaged me about returning to Modhood a year ago, it was during a difficult time for me and one where forum Mods were a bit "thin on the ground". His return enabled me to step away from the forum so I could deal with my own demons, without feeling guilt. He never knew, but I am forever grateful for that. The Eleventh Doctor said "We're all just stories in the end, just make it a good one". I don't know if Jason's story was a good one, but I know he touched many lives in various ways, so that means something... Rest easy Jason ... job done. Oh man.. that Eleventh Doctor quoted got me deep in the feels.
wow
:-(
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Post by Timelord007 on Jan 26, 2019 9:41:20 GMT
Jason & I clashed frequently on the old forum two strong opinionated people passionate about Doctor Who from our Chris Eccleston rants to me strongly wanted Benedict Cumberbatch as the Twelfth Doctor & Jason didn't.
As many of you might recall we both received a month's ban due to a particular fiery debate about mental illness which got out of hand, i remember calling him a arrogant dickhead & he called me a lunatic (about sums me up).
However over time we both mellowed & struck up a mutual respect for each other & when Jason discussed his diagnosis he showed his true heart of a man of strength & courage as he battled through the pain, he posting updates about his illness despite the horrendous pain he was in.
He showed his true soul of a man faced with such tragedy of a illness he couldn't overcome but instead of being consumed with self loathing like many of us would he handled the situation with courageous dignity up to the very end.
Jason Ward has gone to a better place but he'll never truly be dead because we will remember him, he was strongly opinionated, at times damm right irritating with his level headed common sense but over time he earned my respect of a man of good moral values & principles & i ended up enjoying our discussions, i hope he found comfort & support from us in his final days.
My condolences to his family & friends.
R.I.P buddy rest now.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2019 9:45:47 GMT
It had not escaped by attention that his posts had ceased. It had also concerned me thinking what happens when someone passes away where they are only known as a forum member. I am gladdened to see that Jason was known to his fellow moderators and other long term posters, if not in person, but at least in contact beyond the 'bickering' of the threads. Sad news, but he will be remembered.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2019 10:54:25 GMT
I didn't know Jason and had maybe one or two of the briefest conversations via email, but I think I understood the measure of the man once he began preparing us for this moment back in September. His dignified and matter of fact postings as his illness progressed were inspiring and humbling in equal measure, and he has certainly given me cause to pause, to reflect and to resolve to find the sort of inner strength he must have had.
It is moments like these that I try to find the right words to say to those who are left behind, and it is moments like these that I flail around helplessly. So as accousticwolf has beaten me to the Eleventh Doctor quote that came to mind I will instead shamelessly steal from another - an Ood, who stood in the snow on a council estate in London several years ago..
Jason's song has ended. But while we hold onto a memory - a brief conversation or regular correspondence, a laughter shared or a disagreement raised, a friendship developed or a respect earned..then his story will never truly end.
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