Eugene Joseph JAX

At his Visitation, there was a wonderful performance of "The Ashokan Farewell", on piano and flute, by two of Gene's Grandchildren, Ryan Johnston on piano, and Eric Larson on flute. It is a beautiful somber, pure piece of music and it fit the occasion perfectly.

Some notes on Remembering: these are what the Germans call pre-remarks. (This is in reference to the A Mourner's Prayer, in the post below:

re-mem-ber
Verb
1. Have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of someone or something that one has seen, known, or experienced in the past
2. Do something that one has undertaken to do or that is necessary or advisable.

To remember- this definition, which comes from Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, makes it clear that...

Gene's Burial

The burial of the ashes at Oakland Cemetery was simple and solemn. The day was appropriately grey.
We gathered in a semi-circle around the site, and it was as Norita said, right beneath and next to the finely carved angel high on her pedestal. It was a perfect setting for Gene.
A soldier, in Dress Blues, played Taps to a very quiet crowd. Father Treacy recited The Mourner's prayer, We remember him.
The American flag was formally folded into the triangle and...

THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL for EUGENE JAX
Church of the Assumption
October 10, 2018

The Presider and Homilist was Fr. Paul Treacy, Pastor of the Assumption Church.

Shall We Gather at the River was the opening hymn.

The Readers were Jessica Larson Johnston and Emily Larson.

In Father Treacy's homily, he included the Call and Answer responsive, The Mourner's Prayer, We Remember Him:

The Mourner's Prayer

At the rising of the sun and its going...

Gene's Prayer Card:
On the front:
"The souls of the just are in the hand of God-in the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, but they are in peace"
Wisdom 1,2,3

And on the back:
John Wesley's Rule:

Do All the Good You Can,
By All the Means You Can,
In All the Ways You Can,
In All the Places You Can,
At All the Times You Can,
To All the People You Can,
As long as You Can.

Gene's Jax's Visitation
Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Norita arranged his ashes in one of Gene's favorite covered vases, along with his reading glasses, and four of his most recent books (complete with bookmarks, since he was never reading only one book at a time):
The Habit of Being - The Letters of Flannery O'Connor
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse
Saving Capitalism by Robert Reich
The Politics of Resentment by Katherine Cramer
There were so many large floral arrangements ...

Here is a loving and lovely message from a niece of Norita's:
On the card: "HIS LOVE MADE YOU HAPPY. May you always treasure those memories.
HIS LOVE GAVE YOU STRENGTH. May you trust it will still be there to get you through each day.
HIS LOVE IS YOURS FOREVER. May its lasting beauty comfort your heart today and always.

And her message:
Norita, I'm so sorry about Gene. My favorite memory will always be you and Gene dancing at your wedding reception, like on a cloud of...

Sending my condolences to your family! Gene always asked the most thoughtful questions to the speakers at our Men's Club meetings. He had a great sense of humor and a great heart. He will be greatly missed.