24 Replies to "Update on John the waiter"

• Doug May 9, 2007 (8:21 pm)

  What a sad loss of an incredibly decent man.

  John was one of the first people we got to know when we moved to West Seattle. From breakfast at Easy Street.. to dinner at Jak’s.. he was always there with a smile– making you feel like you were a long lost family member.

  Years later, he became a good friend.. hanging out on the town– or over at our place for a bbq.

  Anyone who worked with John.. or had the privilege of sitting at one of his tables.. knows he was much more than just a waiter. He was one of those rare people who could make you feel special.

  You will be missed buddy.

• Amy May 9, 2007 (9:51 pm)

  So sad. He truly was a memorable waiter at Easy Street and Jaks- very fun person.

• Jen May 9, 2007 (11:07 pm)

  it can’t even be put into words. we will miss you so much, John. – jen and erick

• Rick May 10, 2007 (12:03 am)

  Take it easy buddy, save me a prime spot…heh

• WS Resident May 10, 2007 (7:02 am)

  I just hope John realized when he was among us how many people he touched. Making someone smile has a huge impact on someone’s day — John was gifted with the ability to delight anyone he was around.

  He worked through his rough patches, gave up alcohol, and really was moving in a new and (if it were even possible) even more positive direction — connecting more deeply with friends and colleagues.

  He’s one of those people everybody ‘knew.’ He was a West Seattle fixture, and will be deeply missed.

• Jiggers May 10, 2007 (11:30 am)

  I knew John, he was fun to be around with no doubt. Life is just too short and unfair. May he have a better life in God’s Kingdom.

• Soupytwist May 10, 2007 (1:12 pm)

  So sad. John was synonymous with eating out in my household. He will be missed very much.

  Thank you to folks for letting us know about his condition, as with so many people in service industries, when they go away we never know the circumstances.

  He and his loved ones are in my thoughts.

• Wendy May 10, 2007 (4:01 pm)

  I don’t believe it! I just met him two weeks ago tomorrow. I finally made it into Skylark after the switch from Steel Sky. I brought my boss, who had just had a terrible day, and bought her a drink and split a plate of tater tots with cheese on them. John was warm and friendly, quality. He told me about the brunch on the weekend and I brought my husband for breakfast right at opening time 2 days later (Sunday, 5/6). I was disappointed he wasn’t there since I wanted to introduce him to my husband.

  When we met on the 4th we both looked familiar to each other and he told me where he had worked and I had worked at Windermere in the Junction so we figured that’s where we had crossed paths in previous years.

  Once again, I have to remind myself our time here is limited, we must do good with it, and also enjoy every moment we are given.

  I am sorry, John, to see you go too soon. Best wishes…

• matthew May 11, 2007 (2:03 am)

  john was the hands down funniest, most obnoxious, caring ,outrageous person i knew. he was also my best friend. how will the west seattle gay party strike force move with only 2 of us left? will i just have to be that much gayer?
  i love you johnny.

• Tish May 11, 2007 (3:57 am)

  I am so sad to hear of John’s passing! He was such a great guy. I remember eating at Easy Street quite often when I first moved to Seattle. At the time, I was incredibly lonely and homesick and John had this amazing ability to make me laugh and feel right at home. Years later, I would still seek him out as my server when friends or family came up to visit just because I knew that he would make any meal extra memorable. I am so sad to hear that he passed away! For me, he was a West Seattle institution and he will be sorely missed.

• mblind May 11, 2007 (9:53 am)

  So sad.. John will be missed. :(

• Foxy Diamond May 11, 2007 (10:04 am)

  Johnny was one SEXY BITCH!!! I just heard this stupid stupid news last night…they must have needed a new comic, events planner, fashionista up there eh? I was not done with him, none of us were, I hate it that he is gone!! The next time you see something shiny in the sky it just may be John’s phone or one of his belt buckles!
  Please keep us posted as to when any get together will happen. Matt…I am SO sorry, if you need anything ask…Hope

• Ian May 11, 2007 (10:20 am)

  I heard about this through a friend, and am absolutely shocked! We go to Skylark for brunch with some degree of regularity and were frequently served by John. His–along with Matthew’s–light-hearted approach and irreverent attitude toward everything was a big part of what made our experiences there so unique and enjoyable. I’m so sorry for those who knew him well.

• Stephanie May 11, 2007 (8:36 pm)

  Anytime I went into Jaks to eat and John was there he brought such joy to my heart. He was so funny, kind, and happy. He would also include others into his conversations.

  Here’s a funny little story he told me.

  He LOVED jolly rancher candies. As John said “Its my favorite food.”
  One day he was exhausted and fell asleep. When he had fallen asleep an individually wrapped jolly rancher fell out of his pocket and he actually slept on it. When he woke up it was “FLAT” The jolly rancher was melted flat as a pancake. So John said “Either Im really hot or they just don’t make jolly ranchers the way they used to.”

  I smile everytime I think of him telling that story.
  He will be truly missed.

• Deb & Drew May 12, 2007 (5:54 pm)

  John always said you didn’t get pick your own nickname. He gave me more than I can remember…debacle, debanair, debwhora, debramenpincer, just to name a few off the top of my head. Don’t really know what to say or write, just wanted to add something because John was such a close friend. So for all of you that received a nickname from John, treasure it! Typed by debs husband, Droodle. We will love and miss you always.

• Merritt - John's sister May 13, 2007 (5:05 am)

  I cannot express to all of you how much these comments mean to John’s family. We knew how much he loved all of you, but it is inexpressibly heartening to know that he was so loved by his West Seattle family as well.
  I was having my birthday party at John’s and came to pick up keys at Easy Street on a Saturday morning. Hoping to pop in and out, I wasn’t dressed or primped as he (or I)would have hoped. Unfortunately, instead of letting me slip in and out quickly, he announced it was my birthday to the entire restaurant. When he received no response, he screamed, “Well sing Happy Birthday, M*ther F…ers!” This was followed by my being forced to give a twirl and his pronouncement that, “She looks pretty good for a 30-year-old-hag!”, and a big wet smooch. Typical John.

• Ari May 13, 2007 (9:12 am)

  Hey John, Make sure when get to where you are going, open up a karaoke joint in heaven somewhere so when we join you( who knows when), we have a place to all hangout at.

  Peace!!!

• T. Dart May 14, 2007 (11:18 am)

  On a daily basis I would receive a text message from John updating me on what happened on “Days of Our Lives” that afternoon. For me – “Days of our Lives” is a guilty pleasure…for Johnny it was serious business. So John – here’s the update…

  Kayla broke Patch out of the hospital, Stephanie is back and was already in a car accident, Sammy and Lucas FINALLY got married and she told him about EJ blackmailing her. Phillip is kidnapping Belle and Claire and Nick and Chelsea might actually go “all the way” this week!
  Phew…there you have it!

  I miss you my friend!

• Delivery Dude May 14, 2007 (1:08 pm)

  Matthew…is that even POSSIBLE!? : )

• Steph aka China Red May 14, 2007 (2:57 pm)

  You will always be in my heart… miss you

• In West C May 15, 2007 (8:21 am)

  When I found out I was pregnant, he told me to smoke cigarettes to keep the baby’s weight down. So it will be skinny enough to be an MTV VJ when he or she grows up.

  I am sure he is walking the red carpet in heaven looking down on posh and brit. I am sure he will be looking over Paris and her hair extensions when she goes in the pokey.

  We will Miss you!

• Jenny May 15, 2007 (1:42 pm)

  Holy moly! I’m just now reading this news and it gave me chills. I can’t believe it!

  Sincerest condolences to John’s family, the good folks at Jak’s and at Skylark Cafe. I’ll miss that sassy ass of his.

• Susie May 16, 2007 (1:00 pm)

  Everytime I think of John, I remember something that cracks me up. Even right now at work, I remembered us crashing that high school reunion and jumping into all the photos. My co-workers are looking at me like I’m insane because I can’t stop laughing. I’ll never forget Johnny Cat.

• Allison May 18, 2007 (8:12 pm)

  I worked with John a for a short while and he quickly became one of my hands down favorite friends. On my first day at Jaks he complimented my shirt, made fun of my skirt, and asked me what kind of gossip I had to share. Getting on his good side was easy, I just loaned him a copy of Troop Beverly Hills.
  I’ve never met someone who was more comfortable with himself and other people. John was intent on living his life to the fullest. Every time I think of him I can’t help but smile or laugh at some great memory. John always was and always will inspire me. Cheers John – you will be missed.

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