Comments on: Jamie Lembeck Passing

By: steve b

steve b — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:35:11 +0000

I knew Jamie back when he ran dance marathons with his pal Chip

amazing energy, amazingly sensitive man, a good friend

to Jamie *clink*

By: Joe Ryan

Joe Ryan — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:55:11 +0000

I consider myself one of Jamie’s friends and students. I didn’t meet Jamie until long after his halcyon days at Buffalo State; obviously, my loss. He came into my life after I became paralyzed in 1985.

Jamie taught me how to live life to its fullest even if you happen to be in a wheelchair. He taught me to love music. He taught me to treasure the use of my mind to solve problems you encounter in a wheelchair. He taught me the wonderful value of conversation about the little things in life. He taught me the joy of sitting and enjoying a summer afternoon with a friend without worrying about what time it was. He even taught me how to help him eat.

We always knew we could be honest with each other about things only quads understand. We talked about pain, medications, doctors, nurses, caregivers, sex, anatomy, etc.

The last time I spoke with him was about three weeks before he died and he was feeling a little bummed out. We chatted in between his many other calls–I always used my speaker phone when talking with Jamie because Jamie was always on the phone–and told him I’d meet him in the backyard at his house when I got back to Buffalo. Unfortunately, that visit never happened. The last thing I heard Jamie say was “Go to sleep” as he talked to his computer phone.

“Sleep well, my friend. Your work and your smile remain with us always”

Joe Ryan

By: Maureen

Maureen — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:39:49 +0000

RIP Jamie. I too remember the first day I met you in college…you had a twinkle in your eye and a kick in your step (clogs) that I’ll always remember. I knew from that moment that there was something very special about you. So many memories, such special times. We played mod squad in the quad, sailed on “Dog Breath”, played basketball, Shakespeare In The Park, Pot On A Plate, and on and on. You taught me many things, Jamie, including to accept the things I cannot change and a lot about letting go.

By: Beth Graff-Baker

Beth Graff-Baker — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:41:42 +0000

The Memorial Service is:

July 9, 2008 – 6:30 PM
Unitarian Church
At the corner of Elmwood Avenue & West Ferry

Gathering immediately following

By: Friend of Jamie

Friend of Jamie — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:13:15 +0000

To all of Jamie’s friends that are feeling like I am after hearing the sad news: Count your blessings everyday. Be grateful that you knew such a life-affirming individual. Never sweat the small stuff – strive for an ever-higher
perspective quotient. Listen to more Zappa! Care for those that are worthy -
that means everyone. R.I.P., Jamie – you would be so proud of how much we will remember you…

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:42:06 +0000

I think I was only 6 years old when mom and I came to Buffalo to visit you. I remember sitting in a booth and eating my frist “Buffalo Chicken Wing” I have vivid pictures in my head of when mom sent you a belly dancer to work for your birthday and NY pizza via express mail.. She told me that you took her for a ride in your wheelchair one day, I am so happy we took the time to have dinner together on your last day in New York. I am glad you had a chance to say goodbye to your house in Mount Vernon and goodbye to all the people here who loved you so much. Thank you for always being there for us.

By: Michele

Michele — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:32:34 +0000

To My Godfather Jamie,

Always a memorable name in my family, always a memory to be told. I am glad to have had the time we had together last year and so very honored that you chose me to help with such a delicate moment in your life. I learned so much about your drive and compassion for life. I loved hearing stories about my father and you when you were young. Going thru your family history was amazing I felt as if I was living each moment with the stories you told me. I miss you very much.

Michele

By: Angela

Angela — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:35:10 +0000

Jamie – I remember the day you asked me to go kite flying in college. You were a hippie with a long ponytail…certainly not my type, not the type I could bring home to the parents! But something made me say yes and I did bring you home to the parents and you brought me home to yours. Time, miles, children, jobs and life threw us apart for over 20 years but thanks to the internet and Zelda we found each other again. I remember our first phone call after all that time…you told me you would call me back in an hour or so because you had to take a shower and I’m thinking “a guy needs that long to take a shower?” But of course at that point I didnt know what had happened to you. Thanks for all the wonderful times – sitting in your backyard, Springsteen concerts, Niagara Falls and the racetrack, friends houses, reuninon parties, etc. And most of all getting to see Peter and your Mom again also after all those years..I wish now that I had gotten up to see you more often in these last few years but at least we always stayed in touch with long phone conversations…rest in peace dear friend

By: Darlene

Darlene — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:48:07 +0000

Jamie

It has been a long time, you did so much with your life and gave everyone so much courage including my self. I remember helping you drive back from NY back inthe 80’s you hated my driving but I was glad I could help and be part of your life!

Miss you!

By: Annalise and Brian Januszkiewicz

Annalise and Brian Januszkiewicz — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 22:28:56 +0000

With respect we must correct the Hallwalls article above. Jamie was not paralyzed, he had sensation in his body but after benign tumors were removed from his spine he was unable to use his limbs and eventually became totally dependent on others for his care. His mind though was very sharp and his sense of humor always apparent.
We’d run into Jamie at parties and around town over the 20+ years that we knew him and would attempt to make our way through his crowd of friends surrounding him to say hello. Many times his friends would be people that we also knew, and we’d be surprised that they knew Jamie. Everyone knew Jamie. Jamie touched many people. He had a fuller life then many ambulatory people-his efforts to help others with disabilites started years before he was in a chair. We met him as participants in the dance marathon in his effort to raise money for muscular dystrophy in 1981. He continued to raise awareness and help the lives of others and for that we admire him. He will be sadly missed.

By: jamie moses

jamie moses — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 19:27:43 +0000

This email came from Tony Billoni regarding services.
Jamie: I have not been near a browser since wed but I heard the piece on the web was great. Thanks so much. The memorial celebration will take place on wed july 9 630pm at the UU church at elmwood. And ferry. There. Will be a service in the church and a musical celebration in the hall immediately after. Please add this to the web listing. Thanks.

Tony

By: Beth Graff-Baker

Beth Graff-Baker — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:48:18 +0000

Jamie, Jamie, Jamie ~

Words cannot express how much I will, and already miss you. There will never be anyone to touch my life the same way that you have. In my sorrow, Carole reminded me that you are now free! Remember all of the wonderful times we shared. You have given me so many wonderful gifts, perhaps the most valuable for me was knowing that to you, I was special. Surrounded by women constantly, you reassured me that “No One could ever replace me” for you. I think this is how you saw all of us. No One of us could ever replace another. We are all unique and beautiful in our own way. No jealousy. Thank you for this gift. I love you. Beth

By: Kilissa Cissoko

Kilissa Cissoko — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:59:34 +0000

Jamie… remember that time you had me drive you over to Fort Erie to bet on horses? I had never been to a race track. You were trying to explain it all to me, and I was clueless! I liked the horse “Mo Money”–But you said it was a long shot. Then, when Mo Money came in to win you said we’d have been rich! Too bad we didn’t take the chance! Well… you made many people’s lives rich… Buffalo will miss you so much!!!

By: Julie Watson

Julie Watson — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:49:15 +0000

I have no doubt that the SHIP to cross the SEA of suffering awaits you to beautiful enlightenment.

By: Julie Watson

Julie Watson — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:43:04 +0000

Jamie Lembeck

These words could never show you how much you will be missed. Nor does it serve justice to what I owe you in countless lifetimes after this one. But I know you, and I know that you would appreciate that I did this, in Artvoice, my old newspaper route.

The news of your death, as I knew it would one day, crushed my heart. Regrets, I have some, as anyone would. For not always being in Buffalo to drive you around in that van or cooking you lavish Italian dinners with your nasty lemon-parsley tea.

Taking off at anytime you felt like it, to feed you sushi, smash into store displays and yell at clerks for the inaccessible wheelchair entrance; as you often did to me when I was just in my teens, dusting vitamins at Feel Rite on Elmwood.

Who knew that years later we would be driving to Ikea together to pick out furniture, to house your cd collection and a table that you could fit your legs under… to have a proper sit down dinner of course! This turned into lunch, then dinner, then a Buddhist meeting and then me, practicing Buddhism, strong to this day, all because of you.

Or the time we were blasting Bob Dylan on your car stereo, eating your home-made brownies… as we drove off to the North Park to watch Life is Beautiful with our dear friend, Daniel.

Or when we sat outside, in the warm summer night, with all of the Elmwood community, watching Italian cinema in a driveway, drinking wine and eating those brownies, with Daniel…whom you were always bickering with like a brother, but deep down inside I know you loved each other.

Artpark, Hallwalls, Niagara Falls Casino, Tim’s Rendezvous, Yuki Gunis… I think we marked the walls with your chair in everyplace. Leaving behind not just marks, but traces of you. Traces of Jamie Lembeck, a wonderful human being with a heart and a face that anyone could love. You were so wonderful.

I will tell my children about you, as I have told everyone I know about you here, in Argentina, miles and miles away from our beloved Jamie. We will be chanting for you tonight Jamie. It’s the best we can do now for you.

I owe you my deepest debt of gratitude. You showed me the way and taught me many lessons; including how to use a wheel chair lift in a blizzard.

I have no doubt that the sea to cross the ship of suffering awaits you to beautiful enlightenment.

All my love,
Julie