I've been reading all the posts here and wondering what else I can say...
It's very sad news and he's gone way before his time.
For someone who made such a difference in the things that entertained me as a youngster, to come back to this hobby and find they're willing to engage and encourage, was a pleasure. He was such a caring guy that he made it all too easy to take him for granted, when now I want to go back and count every word he shared.
My condolences to his family, and my thanks for his help, his encouragement, his games and his crazy gags. May he now find peace.
Grey Key I'm glad you've stayed if only for the reason of Jof's sad passing, but there's no shame in crying, my eyes well up everytime I read a post on this thread.
I never met the guy face to face, but I still feel like I've lost a really good friend, and that's what kinda makes it hard. I never met Jof in person, but I always thought maybe I would one day at one of these events that he didn't like but I always thought if I made it home to England and I went to one of them maybe that would be the one he decided to go to.
It's confusing for me though how do you let go of one of your childhood idols, who thanks to the internet later became a friend in your adulthood? I never met him in person so he was just text on a screeen, but that's not how it feels at all?
:cry:
Money waiting, I just wish that I had had the chance of inviting him to stay over Christmas, I also wish that the last 12 months or so had been better for him, as he went through Hell. If my personal circumstances had been different, I would have helped him out in some way, but the nature of my job would have made it very difficult. Just say how we can contribute, and I will honour it gladly, still gutted.................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Need to draw a veil over today now as it has been one of the worst days since my mother died, need I say more..............Goodnight sweet prince................
Every time I read that the oldest person in the world has died, I have to do a quick check to see it isn't ME..........
Was just looking at some old emails Joff sent and i came across the following emails from feburary, made me laugh and cry at the same time. I wasnt sure if i should post his comments here or not but i dont think he would mind.
JOF.
But I have been umwell for some time now, and I'm slowly getting worse. Ho hum.
If I can survive till summer I think I can finish off my film.
ME.
If you can survive till summer!?. Your not going to cark it are you!. Your not that old lol.
JOF
If the pain killers are still working then I can do anything (sleep mostly).
I have no intention of spiralling off this mortal coil just yet. If I do, then I'll YouTube it and come back as a cup full of coins!
Jof (it's not the cough that carries you off, it's the coffin they carry you off in.).
ME
Oh few!. . Sorry to hear your not well though, hope you get better soon.
JOF
I'll be alright once it starts to get warmer.
I wish i had a suitable quote or sentiment to round off this post but i havent.
Even though i never met the guy we did have a few silly comments sent to each other on the site and i did shed a tear or two reading the last few comments on the forum. It was funny that one of the last posts he sent to me was him saying 'bye' when i announced i was moving house in late March he said 'Bye'. it seems wierd now...
Not sure what else to say except, can we all send a wreath to his funeral? perhaps spelling out 'Cobra'? (or something)?
I was also gutted, as was my Step-Son who met a legend without kind of knowing what a legend is (he knew he had to get a game signed!!)
I have an interview somewhere that was hard to make an actual article out of (as anyone that has interviewed him will know!) where he indicated that firefly II was about to be finished!!
As most people know, in PM's he was a great bloke - in reality, he didn't 'do' people very well.... mostly extreme shyness....
RIP dude
P.S. He still owes me a T-Shirt! Although I doubt I would wear anything with a Joff comment on now!
As most people know, in PM's he was a great bloke - in reality, he didn't 'do' people very well.... mostly extreme shyness...
that's how I got talking to him though, funny .. he was worried he'd offended me , which was far from the truth and sent me a pm, I twigged who he was later. We did talk about music, and tbh I'm surprised he didn't end up going into dance music production.
We all knew he had that programming/animation path dilemma.. I think people recognising his work might have helped coding wasn't such a bad choice after all (lucky for the rest of us he did).
He was always encouraging about stuff though. Even though other things in life were going on.
I will send a condolence card to his family on Monday (I have to dig out his address.. I remember the road, but not 100% the number) , and point them to this site / thread.. so if there is anything like a short message you wanna say in private or just copy paste. PM it and i'll print it out and include it with the card. also include your name or tag at the end.
I will ask what they want to do regarding flowers also, as some people prefer the money go to a charity etc. and hopefully they can get back to me or mr hat (who they actually know, no doubt)
I did promise I wouldn't ever give out his address and I will keep that promise
I didn't know Jon for as long as some of you, and never met him. I only got back into the spectrum last year. I expected him to post, saying he was back home recovering like the rest of ya. I am glad to know him though, but 43, well thats no age..
Absolutely gutted to read this....just spent the night at my cousin's wedding and had an awesome night, but all the way through the day I was sitting worrying about Frobush and wondering how he was doing... :cry:
I used to have some good banter with him, mainly in the actual forums...One particular favourite of mine was after I'd said I couldn't afford a pair of those snazzy ZX Adidas trainers, and he said that next time I was in Liverpool (I'd mentioned in another thread about visiting Liverpool regularly) I was to meet him at Lime Street Station and he'd have nabbed a pair for me, because it was after all, Liverpool...:)
I met up with a mate of mine, whom I hadn't seen for years, and after the meeting he started legging it down Church Street (THE main shopping street in Liverpool) to catch a bus.
When he got about 40 yards away I shouted "STOP THAT MAN! HE HAS STOLEN MY BAG!"
He got rugby tackled to the ground as I was was running away!
That was the last I ever saw of him!
:lol:
I can just imagine it!
But, yeah..like most people here, I never met him in person but with all the chat on here I truly feel that I have lost a dear friend, and it definitely won't be quite the same without him around to post stuff like this....
This is just so unbelievably sad. A true hero has been lost. I haven't read all the thread but I hope the Speccy community is going to do something to honour him in some meaningful way. Frank Sidebottom and Joffa in the same week. 2010 - officially the worst year ever.
you know what the nost annoying thing was about Joffa
(and I've just realised this while playing Hysteria)
When I think of doing some sprites or backgrounds for a game, I've realised he's done it already and better than I ever could. I come to realise just how much his style has influenced mine through the years.
Why did you have to go?
edit: I've just encountered a sprite in one of the later levels (that I've never been on before) and it is so similar to one I drew the other day, you see what I mean
I knew about the sad news by looking at the What's new page today. That's very sad news, indeed. He was one of the best Spectrum programmers ever - his games all had an immediately recognizable flavor, and were among the most acclaimed in videogaming history.
Although I never talked him directly on this forum, I already know I will miss him. He is a great loss for the whole of us.
Rest in peace.
This is my fist post in the forum, and I wish it was about a less sad topic.
I, like many others, have considered him a great source of inspiration, not only personally but also professionally.
He leaves behind the legacy of a true genius. I wish I could have talked to him at least once.
Jon, you will always be remembered.
My condolences to his family and friends.
I'm still in shock... As you all know the wife and I visited Jof in hospital a while ago, it was looking like he was on the road to recovery. life is so unpredictable. Jof was my longest standing industry / personal mate and I feel like a bit of myself has also left the game.
RIP Jof... he was a star, a legend and a bloody good friend.
I had secretly hoped that he might get better, but unfortunatly it was not to be, he was a great man and will be greatly missed by all. He had the courage to say what he meant, with a form of humour which was silly, funny, and entertaining all at the same time. He has also managed to bring back to the forum, members who have become lurkers, such is his legacy. Sorry to see you go my Friend, you will be missed !
I sometimes wish life had a poke for infinite lives, this is one of those times.
P.S. I have just been looking at the old messages which he sent me and have found a link he sent me for something which he wrote for the BBC which was recorded but never used, if it has been posted before sorry, but worth a look ( warning strong language ). He wrote it for the radio 4 comedy program " down the line " and he particularly asked me to read the comments beneath it as well.
Really, I was telling a friend about Frobush, and he asked me if I had looked up Jonathan Smith on Facebook, I said that I hadn`t and that if he had a page on there we would have known about it. Curiosity got the better of me and I tried it, five hits came back, but on seeing the fifth avatar my heart nearly flew out of my mouth. I havn`t tried to look any further myself, but this was crazy. Coincidence, I am sure, but not a nice one..........
Hey that is spooky, the Jonathan Smith on there has the same profile picture as you, did you take the photo or is it from the public domain ? If it was his facebook page, perhaps he borrowed the picture, if so you should be flattered, if it is a coincidence, then it is a weird one !
One of my childhood heroes is gone forever, and I can't believe he has passed on. Many of us are grieving right now due to his passing, but I think it is also important we remember him for his talents as a programmer, his humor, and compassion as a human being for wanting to help fellow Spectrum users, and most importantly as a dear friend.
My thoughts of Joff was that he was one of the most talented Spectrum programmers around. He did his own programming and graphics. Cobra was the very first Spectrum game my parents bought for me back in 1986 for my Spectrum 128k toastrack of which I still play to this very day...
His passing has sent shock waves throughout the Spectrum community - He was a great guy on the WOS forum, with one of the most wacky sense of humour I have ever encountered (although at first it took me a while to figure out what he was all about).
Farewell Joffa and all our thoughts go to your family, friends, and to what a great guy you were. You shall be greatly missed.
Joffa was the heart of the WoS forums - a genius with warmth, modesty, humour and a brilliant playful way with words.
I'm missing him more than I could ever expect to miss an online friend.
Cobra was the very first Spectrum game my parents bought for me back in 1986 for my Spectrum 128k toastrack of which I still play to this very day...
Cobra was the first commercial game I loaded into my very own Spectrum. Having played it again, I can say it has kept its appeal even after so many years.
Comments
Totally agree - best movie tie-in on the Speccy.
RIP Joffa. I'm off to play Cobra, Green Beret and Mikie now, three of my all-time favourite games.
It's very sad news and he's gone way before his time.
For someone who made such a difference in the things that entertained me as a youngster, to come back to this hobby and find they're willing to engage and encourage, was a pleasure. He was such a caring guy that he made it all too easy to take him for granted, when now I want to go back and count every word he shared.
My condolences to his family, and my thanks for his help, his encouragement, his games and his crazy gags. May he now find peace.
- IONIAN-GAMES.com -
Money waiting, I just wish that I had had the chance of inviting him to stay over Christmas, I also wish that the last 12 months or so had been better for him, as he went through Hell. If my personal circumstances had been different, I would have helped him out in some way, but the nature of my job would have made it very difficult. Just say how we can contribute, and I will honour it gladly, still gutted.................................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Need to draw a veil over today now as it has been one of the worst days since my mother died, need I say more..............Goodnight sweet prince................
Was just looking at some old emails Joff sent and i came across the following emails from feburary, made me laugh and cry at the same time. I wasnt sure if i should post his comments here or not but i dont think he would mind.
JOF.
But I have been umwell for some time now, and I'm slowly getting worse. Ho hum.
If I can survive till summer I think I can finish off my film.
ME.
If you can survive till summer!?. Your not going to cark it are you!. Your not that old lol.
JOF
If the pain killers are still working then I can do anything (sleep mostly).
I have no intention of spiralling off this mortal coil just yet. If I do, then I'll YouTube it and come back as a cup full of coins!
Jof (it's not the cough that carries you off, it's the coffin they carry you off in.).
ME
Oh few!. . Sorry to hear your not well though, hope you get better soon.
JOF
I'll be alright once it starts to get warmer.
I wish i had a suitable quote or sentiment to round off this post but i havent.
Not sure what else to say except, can we all send a wreath to his funeral? perhaps spelling out 'Cobra'? (or something)?
Priceless. Thank you for sharing 1980
I have an interview somewhere that was hard to make an actual article out of (as anyone that has interviewed him will know!) where he indicated that firefly II was about to be finished!!
As most people know, in PM's he was a great bloke - in reality, he didn't 'do' people very well.... mostly extreme shyness....
RIP dude
P.S. He still owes me a T-Shirt! Although I doubt I would wear anything with a Joff comment on now!
goodbye Joffa, your positive impact on my childhood Spectrum years will be remembered for all the while I draw breath.
You're not the only one - although I met him once, there are many people doing the same tonight....
Jof, you are missed.
:,-(
I suggested a saucer-shaped one earlier in the thread.
I think it would be appreciated.
Andrew
that's how I got talking to him though, funny .. he was worried he'd offended me , which was far from the truth and sent me a pm, I twigged who he was later. We did talk about music, and tbh I'm surprised he didn't end up going into dance music production.
We all knew he had that programming/animation path dilemma.. I think people recognising his work might have helped coding wasn't such a bad choice after all (lucky for the rest of us he did).
He was always encouraging about stuff though. Even though other things in life were going on.
I will send a condolence card to his family on Monday (I have to dig out his address.. I remember the road, but not 100% the number) , and point them to this site / thread.. so if there is anything like a short message you wanna say in private or just copy paste. PM it and i'll print it out and include it with the card. also include your name or tag at the end.
I will ask what they want to do regarding flowers also, as some people prefer the money go to a charity etc. and hopefully they can get back to me or mr hat (who they actually know, no doubt)
I did promise I wouldn't ever give out his address and I will keep that promise
I didn't know Jon for as long as some of you, and never met him. I only got back into the spectrum last year. I expected him to post, saying he was back home recovering like the rest of ya. I am glad to know him though, but 43, well thats no age..
RIP Jon / Joffa / Fro
I used to have some good banter with him, mainly in the actual forums...One particular favourite of mine was after I'd said I couldn't afford a pair of those snazzy ZX Adidas trainers, and he said that next time I was in Liverpool (I'd mentioned in another thread about visiting Liverpool regularly) I was to meet him at Lime Street Station and he'd have nabbed a pair for me, because it was after all, Liverpool...:)
He then went on to post this little nugget...
:lol:
I can just imagine it!
But, yeah..like most people here, I never met him in person but with all the chat on here I truly feel that I have lost a dear friend, and it definitely won't be quite the same without him around to post stuff like this....
RIP Joffa - you shall be sorely missed!
:cry:
I never will forget that communicated with Joffa on this site.
Rest in Peace.
RIP Joffa
In the words of what he once described on this forum as "the best song ever": There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.
(and I've just realised this while playing Hysteria)
When I think of doing some sprites or backgrounds for a game, I've realised he's done it already and better than I ever could. I come to realise just how much his style has influenced mine through the years.
Why did you have to go?
edit: I've just encountered a sprite in one of the later levels (that I've never been on before) and it is so similar to one I drew the other day, you see what I mean
Although I never talked him directly on this forum, I already know I will miss him. He is a great loss for the whole of us.
Rest in peace.
I, like many others, have considered him a great source of inspiration, not only personally but also professionally.
He leaves behind the legacy of a true genius. I wish I could have talked to him at least once.
Jon, you will always be remembered.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Still numb, and never even spoke to the guy.
RIP Jof... he was a star, a legend and a bloody good friend.
Tony
I sometimes wish life had a poke for infinite lives, this is one of those times.
P.S. I have just been looking at the old messages which he sent me and have found a link he sent me for something which he wrote for the BBC which was recorded but never used, if it has been posted before sorry, but worth a look ( warning strong language ). He wrote it for the radio 4 comedy program " down the line " and he particularly asked me to read the comments beneath it as well.
It is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejdqu4duu-w
Don`t forget to have the speakers turned on, unlike me at first !
Just far too gutted to post anything meaningful at the moment, sorry...
R.I.P. Jof :cry:
Hey that is spooky, the Jonathan Smith on there has the same profile picture as you, did you take the photo or is it from the public domain ? If it was his facebook page, perhaps he borrowed the picture, if so you should be flattered, if it is a coincidence, then it is a weird one !
My thoughts of Joff was that he was one of the most talented Spectrum programmers around. He did his own programming and graphics. Cobra was the very first Spectrum game my parents bought for me back in 1986 for my Spectrum 128k toastrack of which I still play to this very day...
His passing has sent shock waves throughout the Spectrum community - He was a great guy on the WOS forum, with one of the most wacky sense of humour I have ever encountered (although at first it took me a while to figure out what he was all about).
Farewell Joffa and all our thoughts go to your family, friends, and to what a great guy you were. You shall be greatly missed.
I'm missing him more than I could ever expect to miss an online friend.
Cobra was the first commercial game I loaded into my very own Spectrum. Having played it again, I can say it has kept its appeal even after so many years.
Thank you Jonathan Smith!
/Pedro