Happy Birthday Ratface

Jeremy would have been 40 tomorrow. Wow. I can't imagine him as a 40 year old man. Anyway, Happy birthday. Following writings are from my mum Caroline and my sister Catherine.




THOUGHTS OF JEREMY - From Caroline Funder, (Jeremy's Mum).

* Jeremy was born on 28th January 1970. My mother’s birthday and she was probably more excited about his birth than I was at that time.

I was very run down after Jeremy’s birth both physically and emotionally. Physically I could hardly walk and was in terrible pain with the bad cut that became infected and didn’t quickly respond to antibiotics or any of many treatments. I couldn’t walk, couldn’t sleep and was deeply depressed. On reflection I think that I suffered from post natal depression for at least 6 months after Jeremy’s birth.

I was advised to have a break for a few days and leave Jeremy in the hospital until I was stronger – so Chris and I went for a long weekend (wonderful Muff minded the girls), but that was worse than being at home I don’t remember much about it except one memory of trying to walk up a pier and being in so much pain that I just couldn’t, and couldn’t sit down because that hurt more than standing up. I remember crying a lot and being glad to get home.

I was totally miserable. I came home to my girls and left Jeremy in the hospital for 10 days without even visiting him.

The girls were a bit apprehensive about having a brother “will he come home and bash us up?” was a question that caused some amusement to all.

Jeremy was an easy baby – bottle fed
Girls especially Claudia were jealous of new arrival. Given the chance she would give him a good bash over the head when passing his basket.

It took about six months to bond with Jem.. .there was a lot of emotional stuff going on. Then quite suddenly I thought what a wonderful, sweet responsive little baby he was and became so pleased and proud of him and wanted to show him off to everyone. Something I’d not thought of before. I began to love him. He was very responsive, a bright baby and obviously very forgiving…thank God no problems as a result of early difficulties in bonding.

* Loved Kindergarten

* Did well at local state school - was to be put up a grade in the following year and was a favorite of the teachers –Especially the librarian -I only learned this after his death.

* Wrote an amazing piece about whaling…..with himself being the whale and being killed with a nuclear warhead harpoon.

* Was cast as the “king’’ in the classes drama performance in the last year he was at school Grade 2. Have a book of photos of this play.

* Lots of friends - all living locally. Everyday playing with kids after school. Got on well with other older kids in the street.
Hard to control. Delightful child but naughty. Used to frighten me on this account.

* Mary’s girls adored him – he was a little older than them, and Mary often ‘borrowed’ him to play with them at Parkhill Road.  We spent a lot of time there visiting at least once a week or more.

* One day he got stuck in the outdoor toilet…..well over half an hour. I was called from home, and when I got there worked out how to release the door without further help…… Mary was distraught but he was totally unfazed, no crying or fuss but obviously glad to be released……faith in the grown-ups I suppose

* Enjoyed going to Emerald as did all the kids. Loved to go for a night walk. On the night Figaro was knocked over, Jeremy’s job was to get bandaids and detol for my bitten hand. It was a horrible night for all of us.

* Frank and Mary Ellen’s wedding was a huge event for Jeremy who was so proud of his proper trousers belt and shirt with frills….. He had a ball.

* Jeremy went everywhere with Chris, which caused me much worry, but also meant that if he went, I could keep the girls with me and would not have to worry about them…….strange thinking really, but in the circumstances not unreasonable. So the two of them did a range of things that we did not……I was always afraid of what could happen with Chris’ terrible driving and him often being in a state in which he should not have been driving anyway.

* Jem was a great talker
Talked endlessly every morning about his dreams, also had a wicked giggle – think Joel has the same. Got on well with children both older (kids in the street) and younger than himself

* Slept in the disabled bathroom (from the previous owners) which we made into a little bedroom but still had a shower and toilet on one wall. He smashed a bottle of “Old Spice” in this room the day before he died………a tantrum about something, have no idea what.




From Catherine (Jeremy's oldest sister).

Hmmmm.... thoughts...

* Jeremy would always try to go up to the shops late at night with mum because she would buy him a lolly bag at the milk bar! So unfair!, I thought at the time.

* If I was thirsty while we were watching tv, I'd say 'Gosh I am really thirsty...' and Jeremy would jump up and get me a glass of water! Lovely.

* I remember him being very kind and thoughtful of others. Very earnest and sweet.

* He was always putting up his fists and pulling faces for the camera.

* I remember the day that Jeremy and Dad had out at Sovereign Hill. I remember it as a 'boys only' thing.  They bought me back a horse shoe with my initials engraved in it. I have always kept that horse shoe on my kitchen window sill of where ever I am living.

Catherine FP