Dave's Eulogy

Hello everyone and thank you for coming.  Today is the day we celebrate the life of our good friend, nephew, cousin, brother and son, Jonathan Gurrie.  To say “it is an honor to be standing here right now” is a gross understatement. Jon was a man that I looked up to and appreciated on so many different levels; Good looks and intelligence immediately come to mind.

Very early on in our cousinly relationship Jon and I had reached a point where it was not only acceptable but encouraged to verbally assault each other for no other reason than to see who could out do the other.  I would usually start out with something light, like; nice bowl cut and eventually work my way into something with a little more malice; like; plastic sheets.  Jon would usually start with greasy guinea or pizza face and usually close with the all so controversial banana nose jokes (he knew that pissed me off). I can’t deny that Jonny usually came out on top when it came to verbal disputes.  I attributed it to him being better read than me (by just a little - I also read the Quran for fun).

This leads to my next topic on how to have fun with your cousin when growing up; physical altercations; Jon and I where always in the same weight class so it worked out pretty good.  I remember one incident better than the rest.  It was a clear crisp evening at Pratt North in New Hampshire and a bunch of us were preparing ourselves to go out and have some good clean fun.  By that I mean, drink about ten beers, go to North Conway center to steal street signs and potentially follow around young attractive women who wanted nothing to do with us. Anyway, Jons duffle bag and mine were side by side; somehow or another, our clothes had gotten mixed up and we began to argue over a pair of underwear.  He thought they were his, I thought they were mine.  One thing led to another and before you know it, we were rolling around on the floor.  After a few bumps and bruises the fight was broken up, temporarily, only to regain its momentum about an hour later in the center of North Conway.  To me, the thing that sticks out the most about that night is that my friends were chanting for Jonny; I never really completely understood that.  Oh well.

The stories go on and on. There was one adventure that I’ll never forget when Jon and I were visiting Janice in Longbeach, CA. We headed out aimlessly one evening and ended up sitting under a local pier drinking and swapping stories with two homeless men named Rooster and Bear. Please don’t try this at home unless you’re a trained idiot.

Personally, Jonny gave me some of the brightest days of my life, I’m sure a lot of you could attest to that as well.  Please don’t let the way he chose to “go out” define him.  Lets remember him by the good times shared. 

I don’t believe there is a perceivable way to do my buddy Jonny justice in just a few minutes of time.  I will be forever in debt to him for letting me be part of his life.

I know, If Jon could see me right now he’d say “hey, Davey boy, what ay ya doin up there” ha. 

Jonny boy, my response is this; “for now I’m saying goodbye, but we will meet again”.

Thank you and I love you.