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I knew my new husband was dying
9:00am Wednesday 26th September 2007
Comments (34)
IT was one of the happiest days of their life but also one of the saddest.
Just three weeks ago Southampton pub landlord Chris Jones married his long-term partner Debbie in an emotional ceremony above their pub.
“I’ve only known Chris for six and a half years and in all that time both of us have made each other the happiest people around."
Debbie
Yesterday, Debbie was joined by hundreds of friends and family for Chris's funeral after he lost his two year battle against skin cancer.
In a fitting send-off to the 46-year-old landlord of The Swan in Woolston, more than 100 motor bikers gathered outside his pub to follow the coffin to his funeral service in Southampton yesterday.
Bringing traffic to a standstill, the bikers, some from his old biking group B.A.L.L.S, came from all over the county and they gathered outside the pub ahead of the 30-minute ride.
Paying tribute to her "soul mate", Debbie said friends and family celebrated his life with "one hell of a party" last night back at the pub after his funeral at Southampton Crematorium.
Debbie, 52, said: "I proposed to him three weeks ago and we had a special ceremony upstairs in the pub. It would have been my second week anniversary last week.
"I've only known Chris for six and a half years and in all that time both of us have made each other the happiest people around. I just love him to bits."
When Chris was diagnosed two years ago he drew up a list of things to achieve before he died.
They included flying a Spitfire over the Isle of Wight, swimming with dolphins and attending the Daytona Motorbike week in America, all of which he accomplished.
Your Say YourThis is Hampshire
Gary Natella, says...
4:14pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Will never forget you, top brother in law
Gary Di and Sarah
King Mush, Woolston says...
4:25pm Wed 26 Sep 07
The Swan has been a great live music venue for decades and its a great place.
It was very moving to see the bikers' send-off and will have helped Debbie so much during this tough time.
They often say that the good die young and this is certainly the case with Chris at 46.
The Swan will carry on as will his memory and I'm sure there will be some kind of memorial fund-raising gigs at the pub when the time is right.
Many of us Woolstonians are sad to have heard the news and Debbie will be overwhelmed with local messages of sympathy.
George, says...
4:29pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Shaz, Itchen says...
4:30pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Becky and Andy, Shirley says...
4:34pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Thank you to everyone who came yesterday and supported my Mum Debbie and the rest of the Jones Family.
It was a very emotional day but I think everyone will be in agreement that CJ would have loved every minute of it. I am sure he was laughing at us all riding back in that rain!
See ya all soon at the Swan.
Love Becky and Andy
Stella Lanaghan/George Griffiths, Sholing says...
4:49pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Always a straight guy from the first time we met will be sadly missed by George and Stella and family who knew him in his Dispatchit days. Always smiling goodnight, god bless.
Mike, Southampton says...
5:09pm Wed 26 Sep 07
R.I.P Chris
Rob., Shirley says...
5:25pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Sadly couldnt make it to the ride out but The video just goes to show how he will be missed. R.I.P buddy. Rob.x
Gary Hudson (X B.A.L.L.S), Northampton (Now) says...
6:04pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Ride Free Bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hedgie, Wickham says...
7:55pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Hedgie (X B.A.L.L.S)
debs, The Swan says...
8:00pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Chris was a much loved man by everyone and yesterday just showed that.
I love CJ very much and we worked well as business partners and in our personal life.
I have gained a lovely new Mum, Dad and Sister and rest of the family, who are in my thoughts always at this difficult time.
I would like to send a special thanks to Diane and Gary, Lorys and Abby and also my lovely children, Becky,Fiona,James, John and Kerry Ann and my soon to be son in law Andy for all their help and understanding and not forgetting all my barstaff for all their hardwork and efforts over the past weeks.
We will be holding a charity day in the near future in aid of the Wessex Cancer Trust as they provided so much love and support to us all-Thanks Mel and Tina your efforts will not be forgotten.
The memories of CJ will be alive at the Swan for years to come and I hope you will all join me to keep THE SWAN ROCKING
Love to all
Debs
xxxxxxxxxxx
Jon Morpion, Shirley says...
8:28pm Wed 26 Sep 07
Kerry Hampton, Sholing says...
9:35pm Wed 26 Sep 07
I have made friends for life in the Swan and it will always be a very important place.
I'm sure we will all live up to Debbie's expectations to keep rocking.
My thoughts are with Debbie and her family at this tragic time. x x x x x x x x x x x
wyndhan, the swan says...
11:48am Thu 27 Sep 07
fiona, woolston says...
11:58am Thu 27 Sep 07
jim, woolston says...
12:01pm Thu 27 Sep 07
karl and carol, sholing says...
12:06pm Thu 27 Sep 07
karl and carol, sholing says...
12:06pm Thu 27 Sep 07
aimi, the swan says...
12:21pm Thu 27 Sep 07
aimi, the swan says...
12:21pm Thu 27 Sep 07
aimi, the swan says...
12:21pm Thu 27 Sep 07
AIMI, the swan says...
12:29pm Thu 27 Sep 07
soggy, ex B.A.L.L.S, eastleigh says...
3:13pm Thu 27 Sep 07
Gary (the rain man) & Kay, southampton says...
4:22pm Thu 27 Sep 07
Simon (doc), Southampton says...
7:51pm Thu 27 Sep 07
x
Mike and Barbara Parsons, South Africa says...
8:04am Fri 28 Sep 07
Li'l sis & Kelly, Southampton says...
1:24pm Fri 28 Sep 07
Clare, St Denys says...
3:44pm Fri 28 Sep 07
Sarah (your lil niece), Lordshill Southampton says...
3:53pm Fri 28 Sep 07
WENDY AND PETE, woolston says...
7:29pm Fri 28 Sep 07
sara duncan tiny and hannah, Woolston says...
8:35pm Fri 28 Sep 07
Our loss and heavens gain, rest in peace no more pain. Far to soon too say goodbye, lots of tears have left our eyes.
We wish that you were here today, but the angels came and took you away.
Good night god bless free bird always in our hearts. xxx xx xxx
debs, the swan says...
2:05pm Sun 30 Sep 07
lorys abi, cumbria says...
3:26pm Sun 30 Sep 07
Debs,you know where we are,just a phonecall away,all our love ****
To our special Fi,keep up the good work,your dad will be keeping his eye on you!! Love to you all,big kisses to Tia and Scruffy from Rosie and Ben ****
Chris Jones with his wife Debbie
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Ed, Woolston says...
3:42pm Wed 26 Sep 07