RIP Chris. He was a lovely guy, who was always positive with kind words to say at all times. He loved his family so very much it is with great sadness that we have all lost him. x

Miss you Chris Elsmore, legend of a man x

I worked with your dad from 2003 to 2009 at Business Objects. It was a great time to be there, and it was great because of people like Chris. There are so many memories of having fun with Chris because that’s what he represented. I don’t mean your dad was hilarious – he was of course – I mean that your dad really epitomised having fun, enjoying life, and living life to the full, with lots of friends around him. Many friends of his have expressed the same thing in beautiful stories on this page. I knew your dad first as a work colleague, but like so many people in his life we became friends, and saw each other at a variety of gatherings since the days of Business Objects. I will have very fond memories of the skiing we enjoyed with a group in St Anton, Austria. Never laughed so much!

Hey Jude,

My fellow Aquarius star boy – we never met before, but I always felt I know you, not just because our birthdays are only a day apart, you Feb 15 and me Feb 14, but also your old Papa was always so proud of you whenever we talked about our kids. He even Skype with me once just so I can see you when you were 2 year old then, as we are based geographically apart, me in Singapore and him in London.

Chris & me have nothing whatsoever to do with each other work wise, and just met over drinks via some mutual friends when he was based in Singapore many years ago, but just got on like a house on fire from the get go, like many of his friends. He is so good at keeping in touch, and always will let me know when he’s coming to our shores. I was also very kindly hosted by your Dad & Mum for a week or so in December 2009 at your Notting Hill pad, when I got us free tickets to watch my club Arsenal vs Hull City @Emirates Stadium. Your Dad is not really a big footie man like me, but was sure as hell a proud Stoke native, hence dressing you up in Stoke City footie gear when you played football.

It was particularly poignant for me to learn he passed away in Singapore when he just What’s Apps me on 8 February, 3 days before he was scheduled to arrive for work here on his new job, but unfortunately I told him I can’t meet this trip as I was leaving for an overseas work trip next day early morning. So you can imagine my shock and incredible sadness to learn he’s gone on the very day a few hours just before I was leaving for the airport. It was a very sad work trip for me, when he was on the back of my mind.

But I want to share with you a story to let you know just how much Chris loved you. He was in Singapore just 2 weeks earlier from January 20 to 26, where we spent quite a bit of time together for 2 days catching up over a meal and a drink, and he came over to my place before I drove him to the airport for his flight back to London, where bizarrely, he failed to board the plane even though he checked in as he took too much time at the Business Class lounge and the gate was shut without announcing his name. I offered to pick him up again at the airport and to stay over my place for the night, but Chris being Chris, was just too polite to impose.

Anyway, that night on Jan 25 at my place, he finally got to meet my twin girls, Katerina & Kayleigh, who are the same age as you. They adored Chris, and vice versa, and they were piling him with their many soft toys sitting on the sofa in my living room, and even read to them in his distinctive gruff Brit accent!

Regrettably, as I use a Blackberry phone with crap picture quality, it was Chris’ iPhone that took all the pictures of these scenes, but I forgot to ask Chris to send to me. So Simone Barry, if you can access his iPhone, will be great to see the pictures.

At one point, I asked Katerina to sing a song from “Frozen” to Chris, but she was literally “frozen” and was shy, which was quite unlike her. Chris THEN said “Jude can sing Frozen songs very well and loved the movie”, the sense of pride in you evident in his big wide grin!

I then asked what he usually does on weekends when he’s not traveling and in London, and he put me to shame when he said “I just bring Jude to the park and spent all day there with him”, as I don’t do that often enough with my twin girls, although I am based out of home, so spent loads of time with them. This just shows he absolutely love spending time with you above all things, Jude Chris was looking forward to celebrate you turning 5 soon on Feb 15, and even said he wants to bring you over to Singapore in a month’s time to meet my twin girls. We joked that since my girls does fancy white boys in the kids shows they watch, maybe you will be the “Kristoff” to one of them when the 3 of you grow up, them being ‘Elsa” & “Anna”. Chris did show your pics to them and they said you are “a handsome boy” smile emoticon. You can see both of them in the picture enclosed, Jude ‘Kristoff”, and I will bring all of you to eat the mighty Durian fruit seen in the pic background, which is unique to this part of the world, if and when you get to Singapore one day.

Now that Chris is gone, this doesn’t mean it can’t happen ever. I do hope we can finally meet in person one fine day, when Mummy does bring you on holiday to Singapore, or when my family goes on a holiday to London, or San Francisco, where ever you may end up living.

Lastly, if you grow up and wonder why you feel “unique” and “different from others” in your outlook and interests, then it’s most likely the weird cosmic effect of being born a true blue Aquarius boy. You are most welcome to ask all things Aquarius to Uncle Daryl way out in Singapore

Soon after your Mum and Dad first met – at our flat in Islington; our trip together to Barcelona, and some from our wedding.

Hi Jude ?It’s many years since I have seen your Dad but we used to walk to and from high school together as we lived very close to each other in a village called Forsbrook in sunny Stoke. We strolled along each day moaning about homework or teachers or something similar (in a very Kevin like manner – your mum will tell you who Kevin is ?) but I so remember how he used to make me laugh. He was such a character but even at such a young age, I just knew he was going to live his life to the max. And reading all the wonderful globe trotting stories he posted on here I was right.

Hi Jude, I only really got to know your dad in his last year at Aston when we both lived on campus. Despite the fact a was at the start of my PhD, I still had the pleasure of associating with the University soccer club, with whom your dad shared a loose interest in the playing side but a keen interest in the after match ‘nonsense’ as we liked to call it. He was a wonderfully bright, witty, charming and dependable person. We shared enough laughs to fill eternity in that one academic year alone. Fast forward a few years and we re-connected through Facebook and I took great delight in following him, you and your mum jetting to various places around the globe. I had the pleasure of meeting him again at an Aston boys get together a couple of years ago…it was like we’d never been apart. From his ‘alright youth?’ greeting to the numerous jokes and funny stories we re-told, it was a great night. As have been said by many on this page, your dad was a brilliant guy and I will treasure my memories of him forever. Look after your mum, keep your room tidy and be the star boy your dad would be proud of. Love Martin Natasha, Matilda and Isabella xx

Hello Jude
One of my favourite sayings is “to get where you’re going…you have to first go backwards”. Big thanks (and respect) to your mum and the Pete’s allowing so many of us to be able to help you hear and see what that history is.

I’m not convinced Facebook will actually outlive the memory of your dad…but hope each time you need to move forward you can come back to these memories….whether you be 10, 15, 25, 45 or 85 years old….and within them you’ll find your dad’s guiding hand.

Hi Jude, it’s hard to find the right words to talk about your dad, to sum up the wonderful man that he was in a few words, it seems impossible, but I’ll give it a go because I would really like to share my memories of your dad with you.

I’m sure by now that you know your dad was loved by so many people, the world over and he gave so much love back to those around him. He was an amazing, thoughtful man who was so incredibly proud of you and he loved you and your mum immensely.

Dear Jude,
Like so many others I had the pleasure of first meeting your Dad at University. He had the ability to light up a room and to make everyone laugh with his fun demeanour and fabulous stories without even trying. Even though we lived in different countries he was great at keeping in touch and trying to organise to meet up. He had so many friends and that is a testament to what an amazing person he was that he managed to make so much effort to keep in touch with everyone. I also lost a dear friend last year and your Dad was so caring and kind about it. He was a true gentleman that touched so many hearts. I feel blessed to have known him and hope that the memories of him will help you and your Mum and make you smile. With love to you both, Jane x

Jude
As you will be able to tell from so many posts, your father was such a fun, caring, generous and loveable guy. So generous that his enthusiasm for life was contagious. He’s not just missed by those that knew him directly, but also by our significant others that found it so easy to get to know, and love, him.

In my particular case, we got to know each other working at BusinessObjects during the mid-2000s, and enjoyed numerous work trips together, as well as the boys Ski trips to St Anton. In fact I think he missed one of the ski trips because you were due to arrive “any day”, and I had to find a new roommate for that trip. At least the new roomie didn’t snore like your dad!!

Hi Jude, I first met you and your mom in Boston the spring of your second year. You likely don’t remember but we played hide & seek behind the big hotel curtains and caused quite a raucous! It was so fun because it wasn’t unlike the many times your dad and I got together.
Your dad and I started the same month at a company called Panopticon in September of 2009. We met a few weeks later in DC at a conference and immediately got on “like a house on fire”. As so many have communicated, your dad had a special gift for connecting with many different types of people and making everyone feel important.
Your dad eventually became my boss but more importantly a mentor and dear friend. I was so fortunate to learn from his business acumen, integrity and dedication on a professional level and his wit, humor and genuine love of life from a friend’s perspective.
We raised alot of raucous over the 4 years we worked together in Stockholm, Amsterdam, London, Las Vegas, Miami, NY & SF. Every event we attended, your dad knew so many people and was the person everyone wanted to be around-it was extraordinary and I am so thankful to have those memories! A good portion of my business network is a direct result of your dad which I’m proud to say is full of genuine people you will be able to tap into when your time comes. I am a better person for having known your dad and he made the world around him a better place-not many people have that legacy!
So to the first picture, this was an offsite in Stockholm, we worked for an eclectic company and one of our fun activities was to play segway polo (back when segways were new and cool). To put it in your dad’s words, we were “gobsmacked” about what to do so we made a bet about who could take the CEO down first…from there it became a smash up derby but in the end we together succeeded in our mission and giggled about it through the rest of the night.
Jude, you are his proudest accomplishment. I had the good fortune of being close when you were born. He was the proudest papa and sent so many incredible pictures of you with your mom. I will treasure knowing your dad and hope to know you as you grow up. The Redsox cap you have (if it still fits) came from me and we talked about taking you to a game when you came back to Boston so if you and your mom have the chance I’d love to still do that!
Sometimes heaven calls the most special people sooner that the rest of us want or understand…your dad was one of the best that for some reason was needed there earlier than any of us would have wanted.
He would certainly want you to carry on and become the amazing man you are destined to be….you have a truly extraordinary mom and legacy and I have no doubt you’ll do your dad proud!
With Love, Jen

Hi Jude, I first met your amazing dad in 1981 as a nervous 11 year old on my first day at Blythe Bridge High School. For the next few years we shared a classroom in almost every subject (not sure why, he was much cleverer than me !!)
Some say our maths teacher Mr “Jimmy” Maland installed the infamous angled mirror above his blackboard to keep an eye on a young and already very sociable Mr Elsmore !! Like Nobby (Rob Hannaby) I also endured many a cold Saturday morning cracking the ice on the odd rugby pitch with your dad prior to a probable defeat.
The Blythe lads holiday in Lloret de Mar in 1987 was legendary, as was the weekend spent at the student house in Stechford, Birmingham in 1990 where I recall his room was rather tastefully decorated with “souvenir” traffic cones and the odd flashing light. (The Young Ones had nothing on that place).
Through something of a lager induced haze, the house in Chester was next where a night on the town led to an indoor water fight !! To those who recall it, “Kagoul Man” will live long in the memory !
Probably the memory of him which makes me smile the most was in 2003 when a group of us went to Andy Shaw’s stag party in Barcelona. There, I was lucky enough to “room” with your dad along with Slinny (Pete Slinn). Your dad travelled alone and arrived ahead of the rest of us from Stoke. When me and Pete entered our room we were greeted by him punching the air wearing his trademark cheesy grin…….and a full Superman outfit with one very un-Superman like accessory attached !!? !! Brilliant !!
Regrettably I haven’t managed to catch up with your dad for a year or two now but through the magic of Facebook his beaming smile continued to shine out through my phone screen on a regular basis. I know he’d have greeted me like a brother had our paths crossed again …. that’s the kind of true gentleman that he was and thats the bloke I shall always remember fondly as an old, but hugely respected and now, tragically, much missed friend.
Keep smiling Jude, your dad always was !!
Rob Booth, Meir Park, Stoke on Trent.

Hi Jude
I’ve just spent an emotional evening looking through some old photos of your Dad and it really brought home to me how many of the most memorable, and happiest days of my life, that I shared with him.
I met him on my first day of University and immediately we formed a close friendship. Over the years we would end up sharing a house, holidaying together, with a fair few parties sprinkled in between. Time spent with your Dad was always fun, he had a wonderful way of lighting up even the most mundane of occasions with his sense of humour (those laughter lines were made from many years of continual use!), his generosity of spirit and his huge appetite for life.
Your Dad was best man at my wedding in 2001 (he was responsible for getting me together with my wife but that’s another story!) and as you can see from the photo below he drove me to the Church in my Dad’s vintage car. Unfortunately on the way to the Church the car broke down and I began to panic. Your Dad, cool as anything said, “Don’t worry youth, hop in the driver’s side & I’ll push”. So resplendent in full morning suit, and grinning at the almost stationary traffic on both sides of the road, the boy from Stoke got me out of a hole!
As to what your Dad would want to pass on to you. Be kind, be thoughtful, don’t take yourself too seriously and take on his philosophy of “a friends friend is, by definition, your friend”.
I’ll miss your Dad more than I can say, but like everyone on this site I feel immensely privileged to have known him. Simply, he was the best mate anyone could ever wish for.
Pearty

Hi Jude
I was fortunate enough to have known your dad for some 25 years since I met him at University through the football team. Although he wasn’t a footballer himself (I don’t think he could kick a ball!) he was everything else you could wish for in a team mate. He was loyal, honest, funny, always up for a few beers and good for a bit of banter! I can honestly say that your dad was one of the best guys you could meet and although I didn’t see as much of him after University years, whenever I did he would throw his arms around me, give me a big smile and say ‘maaate…how’s it going? When I brought myself into the 21st century and got onto Facebook a few years back, your dad was one of the first people to get in touch and it’s so apparent that the impact he made on his friends he met at uni was the same right across the world. I’ll always remember his posts to friends in San Francisco or the many other places he would go to on business making them aware that he was going to be around to meet up for a few beers. The many photos of your dad also showed how much he enjoyed life and being with you, your mum and friends. Although he won’t be around to see you grow up Jude, you should take comfort in the fact that your dad was one of the best and was truly loved and respected by those who were fortunate enough to have known him.

Dear Simone and Jude,
Chris always brought people together. Even now, he is still doing it. There are several of us in Vancouver that could not make it to London to celebrate his life with you today so we had our own remembrance here tonight.
There were many happy and funny stories told, a few tears shed and lots of love sent your way.
Our hearts and thoughts are with you both. xo

 

Hey, Jude,
Like so many people here, I first met your Dad through work, but over time, his natural qualities and due to our mutual ‘don’t take life too seriously’ attitude created a good friendship. His many personal qualities have been described time and time again, but it is true – easy and open, straight forward, caring, kind, (lots and lots of) fun, considerate, and always generous with his time and advice. Above all, you always knew he was on your side, and would help in the best way he could (what many would describe as selfless).

Hi Jude,

Many of us were lucky enough to share some of your Dad’s life. I first met him around 20 years ago soon after University – we were all finding our way at that time. We shared many weekends away, golf trips (definitely not his finest attribute but he made up for that with the “team bonding”), Birthday parties, Stag trips, Weddings and lots more. He always had a smile on his face. It was a pleasure to have him around and I feel priviliged to have known him over all these years.

Jude

So much of what I have to say about your Dad has already been said many times over. We met at Business Objects – and it turned out we lived in the same town at the time….which gave the perfect opportunity to start a ‘curry club’ on a Monday night. we hadn’t seen each other for a while, but I have many fond memories of the times we spent together. Your mum and dad came to our wedding in 2006 (you can see an early photo bomb from a man called Darren Hilton).

In the words of your dad ‘You can never have too many pairs of sunglasses mate’

Jude,

The pictures will follow. I waited and waited to post this as I still can not believe we are where we are. For starters, I’ve know your father for over 15 years which is 1/3 of my life and 1/2 of my adult life. We communicated regularly and always loved, laughed and enjoyed life. Over the past 5 years most of those stories and fun times were about you (and my daughter) as you both know one another and she adores you. I love your fez hat, the outfits and your smiles.

Hey Jude, after my earlier edited post of one of Lennon & McCartney’s finest, I thought I ought to post my memory of your father.

We met when we worked together at i2 between 2000 and 2003 and remained firm friends working together on many occasions afterwards. We were due to have a drink before his last trip, but sadly work got in the way – One of life’s great regrets.

As many people have already said your Dad really was the life and soul of any party, if there was ever a group laughing heartily, you could guarantee that your Dad was always the middle of it.

We spent many nights until the wee small hours in Dallas, Barcelona, Windsor, Central London, Boats on the Thames at Henley, or wandering the streets of his beloved Notting Hill (which we all found strange for a lad from Stoke) roaming from bar to bar, just decompressing after a long day.

In life there are many events that you will remember well – learning to drive, going to university, getting a degree, your first job, getting married, the birth of your children – but in the middle of all of this there are global events which become characterised as “where were you?” moments. For your grandparents it was JFK in November 63, for your Mum and Dad is was Princess Diana in August 97, but there was another global event that bonded your Dad and I together.

On a bright sunny September morning in 2001 we boarded a plane to fly to a meeting with some consultants at Deloitte’s in Stuttgart. We arrived to find an airport packed with people for the Stuttgart Motorshow but despite being petrol-heads we duly headed off for the planned meeting – So far so good. But our return journey was rather more eventful. We jumped into a taxi mid-afternoon and the German driver in very poor English was trying to explain that a plane had flown into a building in New York. We both thought a little Cessna or something, but the full magnitude didn’t hit us until we walked into the airport to find all the screens showing live TV, just as the second plane struck the second tower.

We found an airport on complete lock down, nobody allowed to check in, nothing taking off. We spent the next 3-4 hours trying to find hotels rooms – nothing available, it was the Stuttgart Motorshow – trying to hire a car, but neither of us had our licenses (never travel anywhere without your driving license), get a train to the channel tunnel (which involved 7 changes and a 21 hour journey). So we decided to sit tight in an increasingly crowded airport. After a 5 hour wait we were eventually checked in and a further 3 hours in and out of the BA lounge (more out than in – it was packed) we eventually boarded a most uneventful flight home, other than every passenger carefully watching every other passenger.

So when the question arises “Where were you on September the 11th 2001?” I always say I was with Chris Elsmore, enjoying his company, in Stuttgart Airport waiting for a plane, feeling slightly anxious.

After this event we both developed a healthy scepticism of flying – it didn’t stop either of us continuing to globe-trot but it did create a cautiousness in 2 lads from the Midlands; it turned both of us into people watchers and never complaining about increased security precautions.

There were many other experiences, but one which sticks in the mind, was your Dad’s leaving doo when he left i2 to join Business Objects. It was a usual pub crawl around Windsor ending with 20-30 people in a Mexican restaurant somewhere under the station (I doubt I could ever find it again). Unbeknown to everyone else this coincided with another life event for your Dad (which is best covered in another discussion) but it was a great night out with far too many jugs of double strength Margarita, a real party atmosphere and characterised by your Dad’s magnanimous and generous nature when he paid the bill, point blank refusing to let anyone else contribute. But that was the mark of the man – the Life and Soul, Generous to a fault, always happy even in the most challenging of circumstances.

He will be very sadly missed by all, he has thousands of contacts around the world many of them are shared with many of his friends on this Facebook page but many are not on Facebook. I will share more from them with you on a separate contribution. Your Dad epitomised the world of collaboration and lived the concept of “any friend of yours is a friend of mine”, welcoming everyone with open arms!

Dear Jude:
I met your father when we were colleagues at i2 Technologies, and remained friends ever since. Even though we moved on in our careers and I even moved to Switzerland for a time, I flew back to London on the occasion of his 40th birthday. The party was an epic one, culminating in your father proposing to your mother in a heartfelt manner surrounded by his family and friends. In recent years we both became fathers late in life and in our busy lives we spent more time with work and family. Your birthday parties and our children’s have been welcome reunions with you and your family and I hope that will continue and deepen. Chris was a beam of light to all he touched and we will all miss him. He taught us to enjoy life and there is no more important lesson.

Jude, I met your dad over 4,600 days ago, which in itself is a very very long time indeed, and as has been echoed by virtually everyone who knows your dad he has touched many peoples lives, in a good way, usually involving laughter and a few jars of ale (which you will grow into – i am sure of that) as you follow in your dads footsteps. Your dad will be with all of us always through these stories that we share with you and one another as we celebrate and remember a truly amazing person – friend, colleague, husband and daddy. Did you know that your dad has an amazing ability to maintain a smile even when the grape bends most men to a horizontal position, which i experienced with him on many an occasion. This coupled with his love of cars through the petrol sloshing between his ears underpins why he is loved by many and will remain part of our lives through his kind words/wisdom and support as our lives bounced into and off one another. Speaking of wise words, when he got his 911 he was very proud of the fact that there was more leaves covering his porker than on the road from the autumnal fall due to his inability to drive it – man he loved that car! But your dad was even more proud and bursting with love when he told me that you were on your way into this world, and it is in this world that we all call home that you will shine with the support of your mum and all of us. When you get the book bug, I urge you to read ‘footprints in the sand’ by Mary Stevenson, as this is how i see your dad looking down and over you as you grow day by day…

Jude –

I met your Mom & Dad through a very close friend, Erin Walsh; probably Aunt Ernie to you. Over the years, your dad become a dear friend whom I truly loved.

Chris was a global citizen and like many of his relationships – we had a global friendship that journeyed across continents and well over a decade. I consider myself blessed to have had Chris in my life, even for a short while. Its been said again and again, he was a good man, a great friend and he lived his life well.

Dear Jude,

One of my favorite memories of my whole life was with your Dad (and Mom) watching Paul McCartney in Hyde Park, and listening to Hey Jude. Your Mom was pregnant with you at the time, and I think about this memory every time I hear that song. Not sure I’ll be able to attend those concerts again without your Dad – it was an annual tradition, and just wouldn’t be the same.

Your Dad was very special. He had a way of making every moment a fond memory, and making every person feel like a favorite friend. I met your parents on a group ski trip (another favorite memory) with Elaine Bowers Coventry, Garth Coventry, Susan Orr Morris, Erin Walsh, and others and we became instant friends. Over the years, your parents have been generous hosts to me in both their San Francisco and London homes. But most importantly, they’ve been true friends. Always listening and understanding, during good times and bad. I will miss the long and deep conversations with your Dad, as he was the type of person who would always listen, without judgement, and then turn bad thoughts into good times.

Dear Jude

We have known your mum and dad for a number of years. Many a club trip was enjoyed and we became firm friends. We stayed at your place having attended a James Bond Evening and your mum and dad have come to stay with us at sleepy Kettering. A good time was had by all. Your dad used to do this particular movement when we danced and thought no-one was watching him – we renamed it the “shoulder shuffle” a dance your dad created. Your mum will demonstrate further to get the full effect. We hope this memory will make you smile as it does us when we recall the story. With our love to you both, Zoe and John

Dear Jude, we, aunt Marijke and uncle Pietro, were very fond of your daddy, Chris. From the day your mum brought him to a family reunion in Holland, we got off very well with him. Over the years he brightened up our daughters’ wedding parties, and we especially remember when your parents had come to India and Chris, dressed with a traditional turbant, participated in the Hindu ceremony playing the role of Cristina’s older brother. We also remember with joy the time the three of you came to stay with us for a couple of days in Barga. We even adopted a phrase that you and your daddy shouted when entering our door: “WE’RE HOME!”; this phrase has since become a standard part of our “family jargon”. We love you and your mummy very much, and we hope you’ll continue to come and visit us in the future. Marijke and Pietro from Luxembourg.

Dear Jude,
Suyog and I got to know your dad in 2006/7, when we were in London to pursue our studies. In fact we had just started dating, and meeting your mum and dad was an important event for us! We looked up to your parents and, still being students, we felt somewhat like kids in front of them. However your dad had an art to make everyone feel respected, included and accepted – and that he did with us. He was a great listener and his confident caring personality meant many came to him to seek personal guidance. In fact, he played an important part in the first stages of Suyog becoming a part of the De Jong-Bianchessi family. Over the years that we lived in London, your parents invited us several times for parties and social events – your dad would always make sure everyone was taken care of, felt welcomed, and was having a good time. Every visit brought us closer to your mum and dad. The ease with which he made people feel comfortable, later translated into Suyog regularly seeking career-related advice from him, and I know how much that meant to him, but as I said this was also one of the first contacts that Suyog established within the extended family. I think they had a special bond. This meant a lot to me too. And the relation with both of your parents grew from there. Your mum and dad were adventurous and came to both of our weddings, one in Italy and the second in India. I can tell you that even in India your dad’s charm had its effect – his good nature was visible, and helped to overcome cultural barriers that may have held back some of the other wedding guests. And it turns out that Indian weddings involve numerous rituals, one of them being that a special moment is taken for the brother of the bride to remind the groom to take good care of his wife as they embark on a new life together. As I don’t have a brother, your dad happily took on that role and as you can see in this photo, he pulled Suyog’s ear, and I still remember him jokingly saying “Be careful now, take care of Cristina – I am watching you..!”. I am so glad that your dad took on this symbolic role on such an important day for us, and he has since then been like “our elder brother”, someone who (together with your mum) we felt looked after us, had wisdom to share when we needed advice, and was always a delight to be around. After your arrival I remember how happy and proud your mum and dad were. We regularly kept in touch during family occasions and holidays in Italy. We felt immediately reconnected each time we saw them- no matter how many months had passed. We treasure these memories, and will always think of your dad’s cheerful, generous and encouraging approach when facing the big and small challenges in life.
Jude, this is what we want to tell you: your dad loved you more than any dad possibly could. A part of him lives inside you. You know you have a family with us – Suyog, Cristina and your little sister Alicia. Just like your parents were our family bond in London, remember you have a family in Washington, D.C. We are here for you at all times. Lots of love, Cristina (Tina) and Suyog (Pog)

Hey Jude, after my earlier edited post of one of Lennon & McCartney’s finest, I thought I ought to post my memory of your father.

We met when we worked together at i2 between 2000 and 2003 and remained firm friends working together on many occasions afterwards. We were due to have a drink before his last trip, but sadly work got in the way – One of life’s great regrets.

As many people have already said your Dad really was the life and soul of any party, if there was ever a group laughing heartily, you could guarantee that your Dad was always the middle of it.

We spent many nights until the wee small hours in Dallas, Barcelona, Windsor, Central London, Boats on the Thames at Henley, or wandering the streets of his beloved Notting Hill (which we all found strange for a lad from Stoke) roaming from bar to bar, just decompressing after a long day.

In life there are many events that you will remember well – learning to drive, going to university, getting a degree, your first job, getting married, the birth of your children – but in the middle of all of this there are global events which become characterised as “where were you?” moments. For your grandparents it was JFK in November 63, for your Mum and Dad is was Princess Diana in August 97, but there was another global event that bonded your Dad and I together.

On a bright sunny September morning in 2001 we boarded a plane to fly to a meeting with some consultants at Deloitte’s in Stuttgart. We arrived to find an airport packed with people for the Stuttgart Motorshow but despite being petrol-heads we duly headed off for the planned meeting – So far so good. But our return journey was rather more eventful. We jumped into a taxi mid-afternoon and the German driver in very poor English was trying to explain that a plane had flown into a building in New York. We both thought a little Cessna or something, but the full magnitude didn’t hit us until we walked into the airport to find all the screens showing live TV, just as the second plane struck the second tower.

We found an airport on complete lock down, nobody allowed to check in, nothing taking off. We spent the next 3-4 hours trying to find hotels rooms – nothing available, it was the Stuttgart Motorshow – trying to hire a car, but neither of us had our licenses (never travel anywhere without your driving license), get a train to the channel tunnel (which involved 7 changes and a 21 hour journey). So we decided to sit tight in an increasingly crowded airport. After a 5 hour wait we were eventually checked in and a further 3 hours in and out of the BA lounge (more out than in – it was packed) we eventually boarded a most uneventful flight home, other than every passenger carefully watching every other passenger.

So when the question arises “Where were you on September the 11th 2001?” I always say I was with Chris Elsmore, enjoying his company, in Stuttgart Airport waiting for a plane, feeling slightly anxious.

After this event we both developed a healthy scepticism of flying – it didn’t stop either of us continuing to globe-trot but it did create a cautiousness in 2 lads from the Midlands; it turned both of us into people watchers and never complaining about increased security precautions.

There were many other experiences, but one which sticks in the mind, was your Dad’s leaving doo when he left i2 to join Business Objects. It was a usual pub crawl around Windsor ending with 20-30 people in a Mexican restaurant somewhere under the station (I doubt I could ever find it again). Unbeknown to everyone else this coincided with another life event for your Dad (which is best covered in another discussion) but it was a great night out with far too many jugs of double strength Margarita, a real party atmosphere and characterised by your Dad’s magnanimous and generous nature when he paid the bill, point blank refusing to let anyone else contribute. But that was the mark of the man – the Life and Soul, Generous to a fault, always happy even in the most challenging of circumstances.

He will be very sadly missed by all, he has thousands of contacts around the world many of them are shared with many of his friends on this Facebook page but many are not on Facebook. I will share more from them with you on a separate contribution. Your Dad epitomised the world of collaboration and lived the concept of “any friend of yours is a friend of mine”, welcoming everyone with open arms!

Dear Jude

A little story here….

Brian first met Chris at Business Objects, and struck up an immediate friendship that lasted the test of time, work and continents.

Chris was an amazing friend to link up with and relax in great company through the many friends and colleagues we have in the technology industry. Whether in Asia, US or in fact anywhere in the World, Chris always made time to meet up, give recommendations, and enjoy the moment. This picture shows Chris conquering Russia, although perishing cold weather, he had to resort to a warm trooper cap, very fetching!

Nicole met with Chris when she was starting her own business, we always remain so grateful to the long term contract he gave Nicole to help him expand the global alliance and partner strategy at Guidewire, a testament to his incredible warmth and generosity as a business leader, and human being. This helped Nicole establish both Chris’s needs to build his business, whilst growing her own start-up.

We will always keep Chris in our hearts as a great man, friend and comrade in any situation

Smiled when I came across this photo from a few summers ago whenSimone Barry, Chris Elsmore and Jude invited me over for a visit and play at their condo in Orlando! I remember Jude loving all the bubbles!

Dear Jude.
I first met your Dad when we both worked together at Business Objects. Though we were not part of the same team, whenever our paths crossed he was always smiling and up for some banter about anything and nothing. This made me smile in return. Only a small example of your Dad’s positive effect on the people he came into contact with but one that I will remember.
The suddenness of your Dad’s leaving us was a shock. It has reminded me of the importance of my wife, daughters, family and friends in my life. It even prompted me to tell my best friend that ‘I was so pleased he was part of my life’, which I would never have done before.
Your Dad’s passing has also reminded me that ‘carpe diem’ is the best way to live life. RIP Chris. Gone but never to be forgotten.

Hello Jude, you are one special child. The apple of your Dad’s eye and much, much loved by him. Here’s your father at my birthday party with my husband and his brother. We loved your Dad. We met him when he moved into the house opposite us in Camberley and became our neighbour. The day he moved in he came to say hello and stayed for five hours, we all got on so well. I got him two cats soon afterwards, Fibber and Charlie and Chris had such a big heart that despite only wanting one- he took on two rescued homeless brothers who couldn’t be seperated. We laughed til we cried on many occasions together and you should know by now from all the other posts here, that Chris was a brilliantly funny storey teller and things that were hilarious, just kept happening to him. Our favourites were the time he scalded a friend at Unni, on the back of his hand, by touching him with a teaspoon he had just stirred his hot tea with. In shock the hand knocked the teaspoon flying into someone’s face and knocked their front tooth out, a tooth that your Dad had to pay for! ..a practical joke gone wrong but so funny in the re-telling.
The the time he hugged the bride in the wedding line up and spilled a whole pint of beer down the back of her wedding dress……(apologies if said bride reads this but it’s a true classic). He loved my stories about passengers on my flights and always wanted to hear them….being such a traveller himself. For my party, I sent your Dad a message saying I needed someone to stay up all night with me and watch the sunrise with….and I got back “I am that man!” Bless Chris.
We can’t believe we will not sit down together again in this world. This has hit us all hard Jude, your poor Mum and you most of all. Jerry and I have been so upset by this loss. …Jude, for your Dad…..we are here for you….always, Regan and Jerry. Xxxxxx

It is hard to believe that it has been over a month since the funeral. Chris is often in my mind, and probably always will be. It will soon be time to start creating the book for Jude, so please keep you stories, photos and memories coming in. All the stories I have received are now on the site, if you wish to add to or amend your entry, please use the form on the homepage or add a new entry on the Facebook group.

If you have used photographs, I may need higher resolution versions for printing, I’ll be back with more details on that later.

Dear Jude,

Less than a year ago you were at our wedding with your mum and dad. We never imagined that it would be the last time we would see your dad, and that within a few months, at your young age, you would have to part with him.
But remember that your dad will be with you always.
He is in your heart.
He is watching over you, and as you grow he will continue to grow with you and within you.
We wish you and your mum much strength in the coming time, coming to terms with your loss and remembering your dad as he was.
Live your life as you know he would have liked you too: Fully, generously, with a lot of joy and with no regrets. Giving you a big hug and hoping to see you soon. Annalisa, Enting and Olivia

Hi Jude,
your Dad was my oldest friend. We met in the 70’s when we lived in Forsbrook and I was lucky enough to stay close to him for the next 40 years. There are so many stories shared with you on this site by other close friends and I won’t repeat them … but needless to say you can see Dad played a big part in the big stories of our lives. He was a wonderful man .. Kind, funny, loyal, honest and hardworking .. And always with a huge smile. He was immensely proud of Mum and you, loved you both very much and spoke about you always.

I miss him dearly but like everyone else feel honoured to have called him a close friend.

Mark xx

Hi Jude, we have met a couple of times, the first time with you and your Dad when you were only a baby (a big baby mind you) and then more recently for lunch with your Mum and Dad when you also met Flávia, my wife.

I first met your Dad when we worked at Business Objects and within minutes of meeting him, I knew I would enjoy working with him and only a few hours later when we were in the pub I knew we would also be good friends. Your Dad was a warm, friendly, funny and smart guy and it’s no surprise to hear and see the huge number of stories and memories shared from people who loved him. He, in turn, had lots of love for his friends but it was no secret that you and your Mum were absolutely top of his list.

You’re already showing a lot of similarities to your Dad and if you continue to take after him when it comes to dealing with people, this will stand you in good stead throughout life. One word of warning, your Dad did have a dodgy taste in shirts sometimes, so try to keep that in check. wink emoticon

A small example of your Dad and his typical generosity.
I was abruptly woken, one Saturday morning, on my birthday to boot, by my phone ringing. Who in the name of the wee man is waking me at 7.30am on my birthday? I thought.
Guess who? Only your Dad! “MATE! How’s it going? Do you fancy a hospitality ticket to the Rugby this afternoon at Twickenham” Wow, fantastic offer. I was sorely tempted to say yes, as I knew a day out with your Dad at the rugby would have been a great day and memorable for some reason, no doubt! However, in my still half-asleep state, I thanked your Dad profusely for his kind offer but told him that Flávia, my wife, (I’ll tell you another time the story about the day you met Flávia!) had lots of plans for me starting with early evening dinner, then the theatre and afterwards some drinks. So I thanked your Dad and went back to bed around 7.40am. I was just about to doze off again when the phone rang again. I missed it this time as I had left it in the other room, I got up and saw that your Dad had phoned again! I called him back and got his voicemail, he was leaving me a voicemail. So I waited a minute and phoned again. “Hey Mate, I just realised it was your birthday! Happy Birthday, Have a great day.” Ha!
So I was originally thinking your Dad was offering me the ticket because it was my birthday (which was nice enough) but no, he was just offering me the ticket because he had thought of me! He was a wee bit special your Dad.

Below I have added some photos from a Business Objects sports day where your Dad fully participated. He was never afraid to act the fool! Dodgy black curly hair, fat suit, growling while holding a blue cushion? and then just splashing about. Then a few years later, a photo from a friend’s birthday party that for me kind of sums your Dad up. So he’s on a night out with friends, he’s with his soul mate, your Mum, he’s a tad tipsy, he’s singing, he’s dancing but best of all he has a big lump of a bandage on his recently self-sliced thumb! Ask your Mum to tell you the story, Jude.

Looking forward to seeing you and your Mum soon and I’ll tell you a few more stories.

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Well I’ve been struggling for weeks now to think of the words to talk about Chris. Where do you start? I’ve been so moved to see how widely loved he is across the globe with some fabulous stories here and at the funeral. But if I don’t do it now I never will so here goes!
I first met Chris in my 2nd year at uni. He was part of a big group of friends who came back for their final year after placement. Rach, Annabelle and I soon became great friends with them all and there were many ridiculously funny nights at The Guild or at our house. Chris was always at the heart of all the fun but always there to look after us too! So many stories that like everyone else I can’t possibly share here!!!
After uni everyone went their separate ways but there were lots of parties and weddings which brought everyone together with lots more fun to be had.
Then as the years passed living “up north” means I’ve had less contact with the group as a whole but Chris always kept in touch. Rach and I had a fabulous few days in San Francisco with Chris, Simone and Jude and it was great to see such a happy family. Even then there was a story as Chris managed to get stopped by the Highway Patrol as he took Rach and I on a tour of the vineyards in the Napa Valley!
Chris was a fabulous friend to so many people including me as all these stories show. He always had time for everyone. Chris and I have adjacent birthdays of the 26th and 27th September so we would always email every year and catch up. My one regret is that I didn’t take his invite up to get a visit in the diary as I had so much going on!
Going to Chris’ funeral was such a mix of emotions. Devastatingly sad to say goodbye but so lovely to have a mini Aston reunion! It was great to catch up so many people who haven’t changed at all (well not much!) in the 15 years or more since I’ve last seen them. The Aston crowd should be proud of themselves that they still are such good friends after all this time and keep in such regular contact. They all did their beloved friend proud on the day and am sure will continue to keep his memory alive.
I hope that the promises made that day to get a date this year for the wider group to get together do happen. It would be so good to have a happier occasion in which to raise a glass to our friend Chris.
I still can’t believe you are gone but will forever remember the love and hugs and friendship xxx

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