Family of Raunds' Jonathan Upex say final goodbyes

Friends and family gathered at the Warren Hill crematorium yesterday to celebrate Jonathan who sadly died over the Christmas period.
Jonathan first found his passion for fishing as a young boy.Jonathan first found his passion for fishing as a young boy.
Jonathan first found his passion for fishing as a young boy.

The loved ones and friends of Jonathan Upex said their final goodbyes yesterday (Jan 27).

The Edgar Newman chapel at Kettering’s Warren Hill crematorium was full with family and friends at his funeral as they celebrated his life.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sadly Jonathan died over the Christmas period and was found dead at the Euro Hotel in Wellingborough.

Jonathan Upex's family said he had a 'heart of gold'.Jonathan Upex's family said he had a 'heart of gold'.
Jonathan Upex's family said he had a 'heart of gold'.

Loving tributes were paid to the 46-year-old from Raunds who was affectionately known as ‘Jon Boy’ and who was described by his parents Sheila and Jed as having ‘a heart of gold’ and ‘an amazing friend to everyone.’

During the service the mourners heard of his passion for fishing and celebrant Rosemary Druewery shared his father's memories of happy times spent by the river as a child and fun times milking the cows at the local farm.

In reading out a tribute from the family the celebrant said there were things Jonathan would have liked to have changed, but he did his best and that life was complicated.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She read: “All Jon Boy ever wanted was to get married and to have children like his sister, Debbie. Sadly this never happened. But his nieces Chloe, Molly and Ruby absolutely adored him.”

Letters from his young nieces were also read out in which they declared their love for their uncle and said they were glad he was now safe in heaven.

The chapel rang out with song as the congregation sang All Things Bright and Beautiful and some of Jonathan’s favourite songs such as Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry and The Eagle’s Hotel California were also played.

At the end of the service yellow roses were placed on his coffin by his family who then invited mourners back to his wake at the Woodpecker in Raunds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The mourners exited the chapel to Gerry and the Pacemaker’s iconic hit You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Jonathan had suffered from mental health issues and had been sleeping rough at times in the months before his death after suddenly leaving his parents home.

The police have asked that Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board look into Jonathan’s death and it will be discussed at a meeting next week. An option would be to commission a Safeguarding Adults Review which would look into what actions relevant agencies took to safeguard Jonathan in the time before his death.

Related topics: