12:25.519N 061:31.908W Farewell to Jason Miller

Irene IV - World Adventure
Louis Goor
Wed 19 Jan 2022 20:21
Angus Miller and Louis have been friends since they met as young boys at a music camp in Wicklow run by our mother, Magsie. The Goor and Miller families have been intertwined through music and sailing for numerous years. My mother taught Angus’ younger brother Marcus, Suzuki violin, and I taught his younger sister Samatha, Suzuki viola. Angus has sailed and raced with us aboard many a yacht. Angus is one of our small 4 person crew. We were supposed to be 6, but sadly, our sister, Monique, and her husband, Arnaud, could not join us for work reasons at the last minute. They will catch up with us later in the trip.
The Miller family had to say farewell to the second born, Jason, on 13th December, 2021. Angus, as the eldest, considered Jason one of his closest friends. Jason, a father of 5 girls, married to Sandra for 20 happy years, was diagnosed with Esophageal cancer in March 2018. He met the challenge with his characteristic good humor, trying traditional and experimental treatments in Ireland and Germany. An infection in early December after three and half years of harsh treatments, proved too much for his weakened body.  The Miller family and his many, many friends were heartbroken as they said farewell to Jason.
The crew of Irene IV wanted to say their own watery goodbye to Jason and help Angus in his long and arduous mourning journey. Angus wrote a letter to his dear brother and placed it in a beer bottle, he corked the bottle and walked bravely to the bow of the boat. Angus threw the bottle like a cricket ball into the foaming waves,  Jason was an ardent cricket and hockey enthusiast.  Jason had expressed a wish to swim in warm sea waters before he died, Angus fulfilled that wish for him as Jason’s time ran out. A fitting tribute to a brave and humble man. We all shed a tear and a hug for Angus’ grieving heart.



We wish Jason fair winds and eternal warm sea waters.
At 14:08 Eastern Standard Time
Between Union Island and Granada, off the south west coast of Carriacou
12˚ 25.519’ N  061˚ 31.908’ W (See black pinpointed marker on chart) Angus threw the bottle in memory of his beloved brother.