In Memory of Jason Kaye

www.JaysPorchMonkeys.com

On January 7, 2007, a special memorial service was held at Hope Mission in Edmonton, Alberta, for all people who had died on or around Edmonton streets and those who had used the services of Hope Mission. 

And Jason was one of them.

Below is the eulogy and announcement made by Jason's sister and Edmonton author, Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

My name is Cheryl Kaye Tardif and I am the sister of Jason Kaye, Edmonton ’s third homicide last January. Jason was a young man, only 28 when he died, who struggled with alcohol and depression. We tried to be there for him and never gave up hope that he’d turn his life around. Until he was murdered and left to die alone.

As a teen, Jason was a red-headed computer genius, who had so much potential. As an adult, he was always the jokester and would give his shirt off his back to help a friend. Since his death, we have heard so many heartening stories from some of his wonderful friends, and this comforts us to know that he was not alone, even though he had cut himself off from family.

It was difficult for the police to track us down, since my last name is not the same and we’re the only family Jason had in Edmonton . But Jason had told his friends that his sister was an author who had written a book about whales. That’s how the police found me. Whale Song, a novel, was the only book of mine that my brother had ever read, and this April it will be re-released, bigger and better, with a special dedication to my brother. Whale Song is Jason’s book now.

On behalf of my family, who live in various provinces and could not be here today, I would like to take this time to thank the Edmonton Police for their caring and persistence in this investigation, which is still open. Thank you to the media who has always dealt with us gently and honestly, to Jason’s friends―the Porch Monkeys―who made him happy, and to the organizations that tried to help him.

I would like to take this time to formally announce that I will be donating a portion of my royalties from my novel Whale Song to the three main organizations that helped my brother most: The Bissell Centre, the Mustard Seed Church and Hope Mission.

It is my hope that this money will be used to better the downtown area for all people, especially those less fortunate. It is my dream that there are some who want to be helped, whose life may be changed—may be saved, as we were unable to do for Jason. It is my vision that our streets be made safer, especially for those who walk them and live on them. I’m doing this for myself, for my brother Jason and for all the ‘Jasons’ out there, because no one should go hungry, or be forgotten…or die alone in a cold, dark alley.

Thank you.

Hope Mission is planning on making this memorial service an annual event.

www.hopemission.com

www.bissellcentre.org

www.mustard.ab.ca

News stories:

The 1st anniversary of Jason's murder is January 23, 2007.

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©2006 Cheryl Kaye Tardif

Written material and photographs may not be copied, used or altered in any way without the written consent of the copyright holder.