Chris Clarke (Clarkey)
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Christopher Clarke (aka Clarkey) a local boy from Bury, became ill in May 2005, complaining of headaches whilst on study leave for his AS exams. He was 17 years old at the time. He seemed to have a headache solidly for over two weeks but despite the obvious pain, he attended his AS exams and managed to do well. The cause of his headache was not known at the time. In June 2005, because of the continued problem, Christopher was seen by a Neuro-Surgeon and a brain scan was arranged. This showed that he had a brain tumour in the right temporal region which was causing pressure on the brain, resulting in his severe headaches. He underwent urgent brain surgery and subsequently it was discovered that the tumour was malignant. Over the course of the next 6 months he went on to have intensive therapy, with two further brain operations, followed swiftly by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. None of these treatments halted the course of his disease significantly.Throughout Christopher’s short but rapidly progressive illness he maintained a sense of humour and an indefatigable fighting spirit. He died on January 16th 2006. His friends, have ben truly marvellous and we have, I think, supported each other as we have had to come to terms with the fact that we will never see Chris’s lovely smile or hear him telling one of his ‘naff’ jokes or talking in any one of a number of daft voices! But he will never be forgotten, of this I am sure. Rather than just my voice I have put some excerpts from his friends which are in his memorial book as they really sum Chris up… We were in Italy on a school trip we ran off to get some funny photos to take home. Whilst in the forum, Chris had to pose for 20 minutes on top of a pillar whilst hundreds of tourists took photos of him. He ws a hero, not just then but to this day. I speak for everyone at BGS when I say he will be sorely missed but never forgotten. There are so many stories, we’ll never forget you Clarkey, Love you xxx Many memories of a life that will never be forgotten, Missed and loved always xxx We will miss not seeing your smiling face but will remember you in our hearts always! Love you so much xxxxxx Our lasting memory of Clarke the Shark will be walking into his house - his toga party(18th), feeling ourselves very self conscious in our extremely short togas, until we saw Clarkey stood on the stairs declaring ‘welcome to the forum!’ wearing the most hilarious emperor’s outfit you have ever seen! he failed to make it a no underwear party! but succeeded in using Sam (his sister) as his slave for the night not to mention a credible DJ! - Thanks for the good times Clarkey , you are our Emperor love you alwaysxxx xxx xxx In fourth year, one of our memorable trips to Pilsworth on a friday night, when you & Danny thought it would be fun to push me about in a trolley! it was,until you lost control & I nearly went into a wall! Thanks for saving me though.It was amazing to see you at my party. I’ll never forget it, or you, I will miss and love you always xxxxxx When we went to Cooper’s house and we watched Scream 2, we were playing ’sleepin lions’ n you kept humming officer Doofer’s song! Mate the service was perfect! You are the best and I’ll see you when I get there. Love you xxx You have taught me to live my life, be happy and enjoy the time I’ve got. Make each day count, as you never know when will be your last. Love you see you again x Listen mate I can’t believe you’re gone and I miss you every day! see you soon maybe xxx You were always cheerful, always funny with such a great personality that absolutely everyone at BGS loved so much and were sad to see leave us after GCSE’s.I’m proud to say that we still stayed close though, seeing you most weeks on our ventures into Bury.You will be loved forever by us all and never forgotten. Love you loads mate.X As well as your funny side you had a serious side and we had some long chats about everything and anything. I’ll always appreciate your kindness and willingness to listen. I’ll never forget you Chris, you were a true friend, the best. Peace and love Clarkey I will remember you as always laughing and joking but underneath your tough exterior the most beautiful soul in a person. Always thinking of you. Loads and loads of my eternal love xxxxxxxxxxx You will never be forgotten and you will always be remembered by those who loved you. Love you always xxxxx Christine (not a misprint - but a nickname for Chris!), You were amazing and I’ll always be thinking of you, Pilsworth, cider, need I say more! I’ll see you when I get there. The famous words from Coolie. I love you mate forever and always xxx Dear Clarkey no one ever had a bad word to say about you, ever. You always did what was right. You inspired me to always do the right thing and always care about other people. I love you and I always will.Love xxxxxx Clarkey its as he said you always seemed to put your mates first and we'’ll not forget. Seriously mate, we all loved you and still do, you’re only in the next room after all! Love you mate loads xxx You were different Chris. Before you were born you knew that life is not about, money, success or victory. You knew life was about friendships and helping people. You knew this and did it to the best of your ability. You helped everyone who had the privilidge to know you…You entered life to help people. I don’t know why you died and I am not going to pretend that I do, but I know you Chris and you would not have left us if it were not to help someone else, you will always be remembered. Sleep well friend. Such lovely words from great friends - thanks Karen Clarke |
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