Dear Family Booth, I wish you lots of strength with the loss of Jaimes. I hope your thoughts will keep him close to you. Take your time to take litte steps to go on with 'our lives' here on earth, please. Bye for now, Bert Hendrix

The past months have been an emotional roller coaster. It has been a painful and teary journey, the final chapter of which started for me at the end of June, when we spoke about the treatment options Jaimes was pursuing. Not too long later the true extent of his condition became clear and I called him. Not knowing how to approach the subject, I decided to jump straight into the deep end and tell him that he shouldn’t have created all this drama if he so yearned to talk to me. A wry smile/smirk followed. The mood lightened slightly and a lengthy conversation followed. Jaimes was one of my oldest friends, a friendship that has lasted over three decades. It started as classmates, with a shared love for rock music. Together we regularly scoured the Plaatboef (a record store) for hidden gems, or just went there to listen to albums we didn’t yet have the money to buy. Later our shared love for music took on new proportions when Jaimes asked me to join the band, Stone the Sheep, of which he was a founding member. By this time we had also discovered a sweet golden nectar, beer! A gift to us from the gods themselves, I’m sure Jaimes thought. The band was the perfect marriage of friendship, music and beer. It was a place of laughter. Of sadness. Of drinking. Of camaraderie. It was a safe place where we could lose ourselves, if only for a moment. Many of my fondest memories of Jaimes are from the summer of ‘96, which we spent touring the Czech Republic with the band and producing our first studio recording, Songs from cell block 4. Cell block 4 was the nickname of the dormitory where Jaimes and Sven had been staying. It is at cell block 4 that Jaimes was chased out of the showers. Suffice it to say that it would have been prudent of him to have brushed up on the Czech words for Men’s and Women’s! Jaimes was a man of few words, shy, modest, someone who needed encouragement to share his thoughts. He was quiet, yet once he’d loosen up, you’d get to see glimpses of the genius

Often reserved, seldom openly and exuberantly sharing his emotions, it was easier to catch a twinkle in his eyes or his cheeky grin. However, when we went to Antwerp and drank at the Kulmi- nator, a bar which stocks over 600 different beers, some dating back to before our births, Jaimes beamed in endless excitement whilst perusing their beer menu, flipping back and forth from page to page, perplexed at how one was to chose from this beer bible, or perhaps he was calculating how long it would take him to sample every beer on the menu! The visit to the Kulminator was followed by a pilgrimage to the Duvel brewery. The smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes could have eclipsed the sun. While Jaimes often held back this smile, seeing pictures of him with Zack have often reminded me of that time. In the past months I have spoken with a number of our shared friends about Jaimes. It is a testament to the person that Jaimes was that even those who haven’t seen or spoken with him for some time, in some cases in decades, still have fond memories of him and share pain in his passing. If they could be there with you now, they would all have stories of their own to tell and would express their grief, sympathy and heartfelt condolences with each and every one of you. Jaimes, I miss you buddy. I miss you, but will never forget you. Through our shared experiences you are a part of what makes me, me, and so you live on within me. Every time I drink a Duvel, play one of our band’s songs, or wear the All Blacks jersey you sent me as a parting gift, you’ll be right here with me. Every time I crack open a beer with the Duvel bottle opener I got during our vis- it to the Duvel brewery, I’ll be drinking a cold one with you. I don’t believe in goodbyes, so I’ll end with this, Till we meet again, in the place where you’re wearing your vintage All Blacks jersey, the music never stops, the pints never run dry and you’re beaming like the sun that you are

Dear Jaimes, Our first memories together go back to the rides on the back seat on bus 5 on the way to school. They seemed so long, and yet your way home all the way in Haarlem was much longer. Years later we shared our student life experiences during drinks and dinners. Thanks for listening to my tired mind and all the hospital stories. Your devotion for music was always there; Wont forget how you spent time tuning our stereo at your first visit to our apartment; it was all about the sound and not the space we sat in. Have to smile when we think of that moment. Will always remember the fun Spanish lessons, and how you and Philip did not make it much further than the "cerveza", and the trip to the Duvel factory. Will remember you with every Duvel; and for the modest friend you were. We will miss you. Roxana and Philip

Hardly anyone has impacted my life as much as Jaimes and I have always considered him one of my few real friends even though we have not been in touch for years. It's hard to wrap my head around what has happened. Makes me want to make the best of the time I have. It's hard to say anything meaningful but I hope his family, Katherine and Zach all make this through with as little pain as possible. Radek

Thanks for this chance to say goodbye to Jaimes. He will be deeply missed. Jaimes and I were very close. Our common connection was music and mental dysfunction. Since music is more fun than mental dysfunction we spent our time on that. Jaimes got good, while I got... louder. I saw Jaimes as a musical genius, which he found hilarious. He understood every aspect of music and could always apply a unique creative angle to whatever we were doing. Jaimes had a sweetness, sensitivity and creative intelligence that made him special. As smart people do, he was often doubting and questioning things, instead of randomly plowing ahead like the rest of us meatheads. Despite our hang-ups, we laughed a lot and shared a lot of thoughts and ideas. He was one of those rare people that you connect with on a deeper level for whatever mysterious reason. I hope there is some kind of parallel universe where we are running a little recording studio together with marginal financial success, effortless collaboration, minimal sobriety and a deep sense of satisfaction and joy. I love you, Jaimes, I’m sorry I couldn’t be there more for you.

Dearest Jaimes, my old friend, partner and papa to our dearest Zack. We can not get our heads around the fact that you are no longer physically with us. This week has been one of the hardest in our lives knowing you are no longer here. Going back through all your photos and remembering a lifetime together, at 16 when we first met, we were so young! We were full of dreams, ambitions and love. What fun we had back at the ISH days with all our friends in Holland and later fulfilling our dream of living here in New Zealand. A true gentleman, a kind heart, always helping others and a devoted papa is how we will always remember you. Thank you for this amazing journey together, the good the bad and the in betweens, we were blessed to have experienced it all. Zack and I love you and will carry you on in our hearts. All our love, Mama and Zack

It would have meant going back to college though, and student loans, and taking on more debt, which he was loathe to do. I worried about him in New Zealand (more than I worried about Katherine, forgive me), whether he was making friends, having someone to talk to (silly I know, given how little he could talk). And while he could say so little, you knew he was thinking. And while he wasn’t going to say it, he was going to think it. I suspect that his critical faculties were too often needlessly turned on himself. Strength of conviction, another character trait, stubbornness by another name, is also a strength that can be brought to other arenas; that Jaimes held on for as long as he did, is very much like him. There was also fun, and whimsy, good natured acceptance of human foibles, and boyish adventures (to Italy and Southern France, Czech Republic, to Westvleteren Abby (Trappist brewery) ). When I look through the photos I have of Jaimes I see that he is often smiling. I will miss him. Thank you.

Jaimes and I met in 1996, at the ISH in The Hague. There was school; and music, bands, and beer. We dutifully graduated in 1997, I moved to The Hague for a graphic design course. When chucked from the course a year later, I registered for uni at Leiden. Jaimes arrived at The Hague that year for the conservatory, as did Katherine for the art academy. At some point, when I wasn’t looking, Jaimes and Katherine got together. I drifted toward Leiden, graduating in 2003, I think after Jaimes had (2002?). I left the Netherlands in 2004 to take up post-graduate studies in England. By the time I got back to the Netherlands in 2007, Jaimes and Katherine had decamped to New Zealand. In 2010 they were back in Europe for their wedding, which made for a reunion of sorts in the Alicante. They visited us on the farm in Brummen with Zack, in 2016, and I think that’s the last time we were together in one place. Twenty years from the 6F/7F student lounge in The Hague to a small farm at the Veluwe’s eastern edge. And eight more of writing and the occasional phone call until just a few weeks ago. I have looked through our email correspondence (2006-2022), the messages by various means (2016-2024). I intend to save what I can and have, but looking through them, the tone is light, no big thinking or marvellous insights to be read there, no revolutions or discoveries. What was this friendship? I can’t say it was one of mutual understanding, saying so would suggest I understood Jaimes. I think rather we had a mutual fondness; we were rarely of one accord when it came to music, beer, or anything else, our conversations picked up where we had left off, or freshly started anew. I think we were both interested in things, orchards and fruit trees, citrus, jams and home brew, and finding out how things worked. His interest in things, and learning about them, along with his critical eye, I often thought he should be in science or a philosopher, I may even have told him as much. It wo

Lieve familie, Wij willen jullie condoleren met het overlijden van Jaimes en samen zjn met jullie om het verdriet te delen en om afscheid te nemen van Jaimes Jaimes, jij was de oudste achterneef en zoon van onze oudste nicht. We hebben je dus heel lang meegemaakt in onze familie.  Mede door jullie wonen, werken en studeren in Nederland hadden we wat vaker contact.  Samen met Aliese was je langere tijd op de lagere school in Heide. We zagen elkaar op feesten, verjaardagen en bezoeken over en weer.  Zo waren we ook op je bruiloft in Malaga.  Bij onze bezoeken aan NZ zagen wij elkaar altijd en je was dan regelmatig onze computer coach.  We hebben veel goede momenten met je meegemaakt. Je was altijd vriendelijk, rustig en behulpzaam. Zo willen we jou blijven herinneren. Namens de van der Sterren familie: Nelly, Narda, Lies, Geert, Gerry, Cor.

May Jaimes rest in peace. He won’t be forgotten but is missed. I have very fond memories of our time at ISH: Jaimes was always cheerful and full of humour. I remember him playing in the school band, I think they were called Stone The Sheep. Jaimes lives on through the memories. I am thankful for the contact I shared with Jaimes in recent times and that I met his wonderful son Zack. We send our heartfelt condolences to all family and friends 💐 Even though we are far away you are not alone 🙏 With love from Julia Hamilton Franklin and Charles Rotterdam, The Netherlands

My thoughts are with Dorey, Michael, Elise, Zachery and Catherine and other family and friends. It was a beautifull ceremony. It is beautifull and inspiring to hear the stories. Maybe I will start distilling spirits one day myself as well... I think Jaimes is still around but in a different world. Love to all! Roel

Our family is so sad to hear of Jaimes’ death. Our sympathy and condolences to you all. It was great that you have been able to support and care for Jaimes especially over his final months. Jaimes was a kind and gentle man and I am so pleased I was able to meet up with you all earlier this year. May he rest in peace. We will be with you all in spirit during the live-streamed service.