Jonathan Booth (1973-2023)

By Adam Murch

On Thursday 26 January, Jonny Booth’s family, friends and former teammates said their final goodbyes to this much-loved character, aged only 49. If you were fortunate enough to have met Jonny, you would understand why there was standing room only at St Mary’s Church, Easton. There are only a few people you meet, who no matter what life throws at them, remain so compelling and engaging with a mischievous glint in their eye. Right up to the end Jonny was that person.

He was very much from the valley, having grown up in Easton and being a former pupil of Itchen Abbas Primary School, Henry Beaufort Secondary School and then Peter Symonds’ College. He was a livewire, excelling at tennis, golf, cricket and coming through the juniors at E&MWCC he was always going to be a key member of whichever team he was in. His sense of adventure resulted in quite a number of knocks and minor injuries, but it was being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 16 that would ultimately slow him up. After his initial diagnosis, he remained indomitable, played all the sport he could and continued to live life to the full. He turned his hand to being a Club DJ in Winchester, continued to play for E&MWCC, qualified as a Graphic Designer and got a job at Draper Tools, where he remained for the rest of his career.

Despite his strong spirit, Jonny’s diabetes took a firmer hold of him and it affected his ability to function. Not that he was prepared to let it dictate to him; he once turned up to watch a cricket match and then agreed to play despite struggling to see and getting out of breath after 4 steps. His teammates suggested this might not have been one of Jonny’s best decisions and did their best to protect him on the field, whilst all the time Jonny was giggling with amusement. Shortly after this, he had what was to be his first kidney and pancreas transplant, returning back to his old self, playing cricket with all the natural timing and aptitude that would make many jealous.  Years later, he faced more medical complications resulting in him undergoing a second kidney and pancreas transplant.

For all that knew Jonny, it was his strength of character and determination throughout all these challenging years that we will remember. Whenever you met him, he had a cheeky grin followed by a disarming chuckle and would quickly ask how you were rather than talk about his problems.

He leaves behind three boys that he absolutely adored, all of whom have the same energy and thirst for life that personified their father. We will miss him, but he enriched us all, taught us that the glass is much more exciting when it’s half full, and we are grateful for the time we had with him.

In September, E&MWCC will be holding a cricket match to remember Jonny and we would love to see everyone who knew him there.