In Loving Memory of
Jeffrey Charles Claridge
August 27, 1949 - July 27, 1989








Go Rest High On That Mountain

I know your life on earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son

Go rest high on that mountain
Son, your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son

Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and the Son
Written by Vince Gill, 1994



These are two beautiful and loving gifts to Angel Jeff from my dear friend, Carol, mom to Angel Michael.




Jeff's Memorial Garden. Each of our children made a stepping stone for our 50th anniversary. I made Jeff's, second from bottom. Then ours is at the very bottom.


This picture of Jeff's stepping stone shows his maple leaves, a rainbow, and other little dolphins.
I made it myself in honor of Jeff's birthday...


Another photo of Jeff's Memorial Garden.





Jeff in 1957.



Jeff's Story


Jeff was born after a long hard labor. I had just turned 17, his father 18. We were very inexperienced but my mom taught us a lot. The few times we left him, my mother was the only one capable of caring for him (so I thought). Before long, he had a brother and sister, and our house was too small. So we moved to an old farm in the country. That was an unlucky place. It was all French and I hadn't learned enough in French class. We had 3 more boys by then.


Jeff is at the top left of this photo.


Jeff was always happy to help. He carried wood, water and groceries. My dad and brother had passed by then, so very two weeks my mom would come to babysit. Eventually we sold the farm and moved back to town. It was wonderful -- kids to play with, a river to skate on, and inside plumbing... and 2 more boys and a sister came along.






When Jeff was 16, he started to drink with his friends from school and with his dad. This worried me. Jeff was always there for me, but now I couldn't count on him any more. He loved his family and always tried to keep them happy. He had a great sense of humor and would crack up at funny movies. He loved cars and by now, with his part-time job, he had his own car. He taught me to drive. If I wanted the car for the day, I could always pick him up at work. By this time he worked at the newspaper with his dad - that was the place to drink. It seemed that they almost all drank.




Soon Jeff left his good job and took numerous other ones. He also learned how to collect U.S. benefits. He had been living with us most of the time, when he was broke. Then he'd get a place and we'd fix it up for him. Each year, he was off work more, then he discovered his pancreas was bad and he needed pain pills. To our sorrow, he got a disability pension. That was the beginning of the end. He went every 2 weeks, for 8 years, to get his pills, then when his check came, he bought booze. Jeff would sell his pill if he ran out of beer. The friends he had were in the same shape as he was,so they sort of looked out for each other.







Jeff on the day that he came home from St. Joseph's Centre. (His rehab didn't last long.)



Jeff's last day, he took the one who bought his pills with him to the Doctor. They bought beer as well and headed home. They all started using, Jeff passed out. Then they realized he had O.D.'d. They had to make up a story, claiming that Jeff was at their house, not his. By the time they got it straight and took Jeff to the hospital, he was DOA. They took everything he had - his pills, his money and cigarettes (he had gotten his check that day).


The hospital called at 10:30 p.m. to say that they tried to revive him but couldn't and did we want to see his body? Which we refused. Since Jeff died at home, there was an autopsy and the police hisd to check out the stories. They eventually told the right story, but no one was charged with anything. They searched his apartment and found nothing, not even an aspirin.






Jeff loved music, he loved to camp out, he played golf when he could, and he kept us all together. There are big gaps in the family now.




Jeff had a heart of gold, always helping someone, even if he had to do without. He worked for his brothers, always getting paid in bear. He wanted to donate his organs, but couldn't because too much time had passed. His birthdays were always a big bash. He'd build a fire up in the rocks and everyone would come.



Jeff's 6 brothers carried him to his last resting place. It was very hard on them, and I don't think they have been back since we put his headstone there. His big maple tree is still here - I put a basket of flowers in it every day in summer, and keep fresh flowers at the cemetary.


These leaves are from Jeff's maple tree.


And here is Jeff's maple tree.



For All Parents

I'll lend you for a little time,
A child of mine, He said.
For you to love while he lives,
and mourn when he is dead.

I may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three.
But will you, till I call him back,
take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you.
and shall his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.

I've looked the wide world over in my search
for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes,
I have selected you.

Now will you give him all your love,
not think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call,
to take him back again?

I fancied that I heard them say,
Dear Lord, Thy will be done.
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness,
we'll love him while we may;
And for the happiness we've known,
will ever grateful stay.

But shall the angels call for him much sooner than we planned
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.




Jeff's Inukshuk. These rocks were collected from different places in Ontario.


We built his inukshuk in the garden - watching over the yard - as Jeff did. We also have a smaller one at the cemetary to show a safe passage through there.


Jeff's mom with his inukshuk, in 1998.


Jeff's mom getting ready for Christmas at the cemetary.





The above three photos are of Jeff's garden.


The grief we carry, anybody's grief, is exactly the weight of a sleeping child.
I have thought deeply about this, and know it is true.




This is Charlie. He is 2 years old. Charlie was my Dad's name, and Jeff's middle name.
So I send messages, and Charlie takes them to Jeff for me.


This is Cupcake, she is 1 year old.





Jeff's favorite song was Hey Jude by The Beatles, which is why we chose it for his web page.



Jeff's favorite singer was Janis Joplin. He could only play it when I was outside.
It was so noisy. He liked all the music for the 60's.



Jeff liked to hunt ducks and partridge. He had shot a deer, but he didn't hunt towards the end.







Above are some more pictures of Jeff's Memorial Garden, and showing a close-up of his star gazer lily.








A friend can hear a tear drop.



This webpage is created

In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Charles Claridge
on January 21, 2004
Last updated: August 27, 2009
© 2000 - 2009








Maria's Tribute to Christopher


Jesus Wept


Andrew... Our Miracle, Our Angel


Dear Jeanne and ANGEL Jeffrey

My ANGEL Jeffrey Will you always be near
Will you remember too
The good times we had together
I will, you were always so dear

I live now in HEAVEN Mom
Where all ANGEL'S are
I know I will forever miss you
Just remember, I am not THAT FAR

I don't like to see you unhappy Mom
But your eyes are still full of rain
I know the rain are your tears
Which means your still in pain

Although I know in many ways
You often feel so alone
But I want you to know
When GOD call's you
You will be coming HOME

HOME is where all ANGEL'S live
They say it is just beyond the crest
Because when GOD calls your name
HE is calling the best
I LOVE YOU ALL

Written By Sue-Anne Aguilera~~~Lee'sMom
MY DEEPEST LOVE TO YOU JEANNE




In Loving Memory of Lee Henry Aguilera



"Jeanna, the graphics on Jeff's new page are just so beautiful
and I would like you to have this special award as a gift from me.
May God always keep you strong."
Love
Ann, Laurasmom


"I just went in to look at Jeff's website again and I have to tell you it is really beautiful. I would like to present you with with my "You Have Touched My Heart Award." May you always feel Jeff near you and I know one day you will be reunited with him again. No mother should ever have to suffer a loss like this."


"My dear and precious Jeanna, Jeff suffered so much
and he was so ill, and could not help himself at all.
That's why our Lord came and gently took him by the hand
and welcomed him through Heaven's Gate.
I am so pleased to present you with this award
to honor Jeff on his birthday.
May God always bless you and bring you His loving peace."
Love
Ann, Laurasmom


Jeanna, My Dear Friend,
I'm thinking of you. I know that the passing of years
never takes our pain away.
You are such a wonderful inspiration to all
and such a lady of courage.
God bless you always and may He always keep you strong.
With Much Love
Ann, Laurasmom
In Loving Memory of Laura Ann Kimble


Ken's Page


For Jeff's parents in their grief. Jeff has the deer totem for his birthday.
God bless you.


In Loving Memory of Geoffrey P. Edwards










Original art image by Sandra Kuck






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