Paris 2nd April 2003

We all met on the Bridge of the Artist ( Pont des Arts) - "The Head of the
French Department of the British Institute, teachers, class mates and Janine,
the lady who mothers all our students from the counter of the Institute
snack-bar, and Jerry charming girlfriend Maya we met there because it
was Jerry's favourite bridge. We did our best to celebrate Jerry's life,
with our fondest memories of him. We threw rose petals into the Seine
and remembered our curly headed friend Jerry with all our deepest love."

Mat's letter describing the scene:

"The scene on the Pont des Arts was moving. Here on a bridge over the
Seine was virtually Jerry's whole year group, united by him. Only the man who
made that feeling of solidarity possible wasn't there. The feeling of
surreal disbelief that Jeremiah was dead hung heavily, but it was broken and
accepted by the tribute paid to him by Anna, one of Jerry's best friend's
in Paris. She told of the intelligent and philosophical man that we'd all
known. Of how it was impossible not to have a deep conversation with
him and of how he made the most of being in Paris. There on the Bridge
of the Arts, we laughed through the tears, smiling as we remembered
Jeremiah. It was typical and in some ways a tribute that Jerry's last act
was the most wonderfully random yet. A group of us had talked about
doing an anti-war protest in Paris, but when it was stopped all but
Jeremiah let it go. Another friend Ed, told me that Jerry had said that he had
to do something active.

But it seemed to be this constantly questioning nature that he had that
drove him to be incisive in theatre lessons and to take an active, part in
all that needed people like him. The word "rare" is applied to many
people when something this tragic happens, but despite the cliché, Jeremiah
actually was a rare type of person; he did the stuff that the rest of us
talked about. It seems it is that that led him to the protest in Germany
with someone who seemed, unlike us to be going in his direction and on
his level. I suspect that he would have appreciated what was said about
him on the Bridge that evening and proud that he had us gathered there; all together.

As the "Institute People" walk across Abbey Road tomorrow towards the
synagogue for the funeral, we'll no doubt appreciate the gesture of
walking across the mythic Beatles Road, done for Jeremiah Duggan. The
journey through nearly two years in Paris to Abbey Road, and beyond to
Highgate Cemetery has ended tragically, but never should we forget the
place that Jeremiah held for so many people. The words of the song that
Anna [played on the Pont des Arts still echo:

"Cause I got too much life, running through my veins to go to waste."
To Jeremiah . Thank you for sharing that life with us.

Anna's Speech: On the Pont des Arts. The Seine. Paris.

10th April 2003

"I've been talking to quite a few people over the past days, and everyone
seems to have some really nice and funny memories about you.
I think the image you left in people's minds was exactly how you wanted
it to be: intelligent, extremely funny, idealistic and slightly mysterious.
Man you had style! Even the way you left us was so unique: going to
Germany just like that, with people you hardly knew, Jerry only you could
do something like that.

But this is so hard. You always were the first person I would call when
something happened and now you're the only one I can't share this pain
with. And you know how I always wanted to go to London, because I had
never been to England, and we had been planning that trip together for ages;
now it has to be your funeral.

"Ironic, isn't it?" you would say, and give me one of these little smiles of
yours. I so want to light with you again Jerry. I miss you so much.

Though I know it would make you feel awkward to see me crying and talking
like this. You always saw the comical side of everything. I want to tell
these people that they shouldn't think what's appropriate and what's not
in this situation, because Jerry hated everything that was fake and he
loved everything that was out of the ordinary, and he always made
people laugh, so please don't hesitate to remember him with joy.
And Jerry, I know there's never going to be anyone like you again, and
right now it hurts so much, but I'm still very happy that I got to be your Friend."

From the class at the British Institute. 21 June. 2003.

Jeremiah Duggan was a prominent member of the second year class at the
British Institute in Paris. Not only did he have many friends from inside
the Institute, but also he met people outside the university context: he
cared deeply for others and was liked by everyone who knew him.

Jeremiah was a conscientious and committed student who was progressing
with his studies. His passion for learning again extended beyond the
course at the Institute, for he enrolled in a second degree, studying
English literature in French at the Sorbonne. Any class without Jeremiah
would feel empty since he was one of the few students to ask questions
during lectures. He was never afraid to voice his own opinion; he would
constantly challenge ideas and his inquisitive nature led him to speak up
during any discussion. As One of his classmates said, "Jeremiah never
accepted anything he did not understand or agree with."

Along with people, Jeremiah loved Paris. His passion for all art forms
made him a great match for this city. He was an active student,
constantly trying new activities such as attending concerts, conferences or
exhibitions. The Director of the British Institute stated, "Jeremiah made
the very best out of his time here in Paris." One could accurately
describe him as a well rounded, well informed, and generally enthusiastic person.

The balancing force of Jeremiah's intellect was undoubtedly his humour.
Everyone who knew him has commented on what a fun, light-hearted person
he was to be around. Therefore the tragedy of Jeremiah's death remains
a shock to the community of the British Institute; its untimely nature and
questionable circumstances are uncharacteristic for someone who so embodied life.

From Students of the British Institute in Paris.
9-11 rue de Constantine
75007 Paris.