John Jay Cunningham, Jnr.

 

I only met Johh Jay a few times since Christalia met him. The first time was in the Summer of 1993. I wanted to take a break from my first year of college. I had chosen to study Law but then I decided that it was not for me and that I wanted to switch to Physics. Before making the big jump, I decided to go and visit my mom's family in the US and Jamaica on that Summer (I was born and raised in Italy).

I met Chrissie and John Jay in New York first. At that time Chrissie was pregnant and had a very big bump. She was beautiful, sweet, kind and had a beautiful smile. He was handsome, sweet, kind and had a beautiful smile. They looked at each other in adoration while they were busy buying clothes and accessories for the baby (a lot of them!), meeting friends and relatives, sightsaw the city with me.


Then later that summer, I joined them again in Jamaica. At that point Chrissie had an even bigger bump and was busy getting everything ready before delivering their baby. Jonh Jay would go to work during the day and come back home as soon as possible to spend time with
Chrissie. Again, they would look and talk at/to each other in adoration.I also have memories of several conversations about Physics or Maths. John Jay tested me several times with trivia on both the subjects, but most importantly, he gave me a lot of suggestions about my future career and tried to comfort me about my fears for the future. I was young and eager to listen to such a bright person's suggestions.

I then met John Jay and Chrissie again in New York about ten years later from that first time, in 2003 and 2004, soon after I moved there. This time it was not only the two of them, they were together with their two children, Peter and Nicholas. They were handsome, sweet, kind, had beautiful smiles and they looked at each other in adoration.

The first time we went out for dinner in a Chinese restaurant (I think) and I took my best friend Alessandro with me, who was in town on a vacation, and that really wanted to meet them. John Jay made us laugh with his many jokes. It was hilarious.

The second time was the following Summer. My partner and I were leaving to go to Italy and the whole family stayed in our very small one-bedroom-non-conditioned-apartment in very-hot-and-sticky Manhattan. I have no idea how they managed! That was the last time that I personally met John Jay, sadly.

I then met him again through my partner's tales, as he went to Jamaica on a short trip a couple of years ago. He was hosted by this beautiful family for a few days. He came back loving them. He said that they were handsome, sweet, kind, had beautiful smiles and they looked at each other in adoration....

John Jay - the peacemaker, thinker, inventor, collector of images and memories, family man, star-gazer, lover of nature and humanity, kind, quiet (too quiet), with a twinkle always in your eye, a smile on your face, and a better way of doing something working itself out in your head.  Always there, dependable as a rock - but suddenly not.  John Jay, the inscrutable, the heart-breaker.  Did you know, John Jay, how much we, your friends, loved you?  Did we ever tell you?

Well to be honest, I never met John Jay more than 5 times during my whole life in Jamaica. Whenever I did meet him, we would talk for a long time, about so many interesting things, the most recent of converstations that we had, was about the various calendars of different religions. He taught me a lot, during the few rare meets we had. He was a great person, with a lot to share. I really do genuinely miss him... and I am with you Ms. V, all the way... Rest In Peace.

 

  It was back in the early 70’s, that J.J. and I were a couple. At that time we were virtually inseparable. I remember it felt strange to walk down the street by myself because I was so used to walking arm in arm everywhere with him.

  To me he was quite simply the guy who knew everything and could fix anything. I have to credit him with getting me through my university courses. There was never a question that I brought to him that he could not answer. Even in 4^th year, I could ask him questions that were supposed to be in my areas of expertise and he was never stumped for an answer. I can still see him sitting cross-legged on the floor reading his Scientific American magazines—for pleasure!

  When I brought him home with me he quickly became part of the family. He even impressed my father. And anyone who has ever met my father knows he is a very difficult man to impress!! On one occasion, I remember we went out fishing with my dad, and true to form, part of the motor fell off. We were stranded in the middle of Lake Ontario! No problem. J.J. promptly pulled out his huge Swiss army knife that he always carried with him.(as I recall it even had a pair of scissors and a tooth pick attached) and put the thing back together again. I remember the look of, first disbelief and then respect on my father’s face. And this respect grew as he realized J.J. could talk with great intelligence about history and geography and could play a mean game of chess to boot!

  My brother in law was equally impressed when he first met J.J.. He thought he was the only one on the planet who could talk like Donald Duck. Imagine his surprise when he greeted J.J. with “hello” in Duck style and J.J. answered back in the same. He thought he had found a kindred spirit because, as it turned out, J.J. also knew all about cars and engines, makes, models etc., etc. and the two of them talked endlessly about these things.

  My sisters and mom adored J.J. for his kind and generous spirit. They also appreciated his calm, positive and logical approach to things.

You never know where life will take you and it eventually took J.J. and I in different directions. Still I have never forgotten him and our time together. He has often crossed my mind, especially when faced with a philosophical dilemma, I ask myself “what would J.J. think of this?” and I’m sure I will continue to do so.

A person’s legacy has to be based on their entire life, and J.J.’s generosity, caring and affection, which he gave so freely, are the things I will always remember about him.

My deepest condolences to his family

Chris Schwarzkopf

John Jay and Christalia such warm caring people, I am so deeply sad for Christalia, Nick and Pete they do not deserve the pain they must feel, nor was the world ready to lose someone as special and as awe inspiring as John Jay. His sense of humour, poise, dignity and intelligence are sadly missed.
John Jay always showed me kindess and equality for that I hugley respected him, in Jamaica there were times when you needed someone to remind you that there were wonderful kind people who cared, John Jay was remarkable and the world is a lesser place without his presence. My thoughts are with you all, much love Suzanne, Gemma, Adelle and Jumaane xxx

Dear Christalia,

Time flies so fast! Please accept my condolences. In my memory you were always very kind and sweet, and tried your best to help me. I think that is why you can think of such a warm way to remember your beloved John Jay.

Take care

Chungshiuan

Dear Ms Volaitis,

       Like most people here, that have given condolences, I dont know what to say. I just received an email link to this website but clearly I am late. Anyway from my family to yours, we want to wish you all, a Merry Christmas as this will be your first without him. I cant imagine how hard it is but please just try and keep up your strengh through the rest of the holiday.

 

With Our Deepest Empathy,

Vawn Knight-Ritchie & Family

christalia, nick & peter, may you thrive through this difficult time, remembering the beautiful memories of john jay, celebrating his wonderful legacy, living the lives you created together... time be time.... i have started using john jay's phrase.... it seems to quiet my soul & i pray it does yours... always, cb

Dear Ms. V,

I'm not quite sure what to say...what I do hope is that good memories will flood your mind on your special days this and every year following. I hope the love and cheer of family and friends will help to make your burden more bearable.

Love,
Ruth-Ann