"Vaya con Dios" Jim.   

Margi  and Frank Earl.xx 

"We are really saddened to learn of the passing of a good friend and fellow Merseycat who was also a very nice person. He will be missed greatly by Jean and myself and I'm sure many others."

   Dave and Jean Myers

"I'm so sad to hear of the untimely death of Jim, he fought so hard not to leave us, he loved life. He was a shining bright light and I wasn't surprised to find out that he had a strong faith in God and I hope that gave him great comfort at the end. Sleep peacefully sweet and gentle Jim."

Love Lynnie xx ( Lynn Ferguson)

"I fully agree with the previous sentiments, I only knew Jimmy for a couple of year's and played with him in the Jam band a few times. On a trip with him to Cologne my wife remarked how kind he had been with her when she felt unwell on the plane even though she had just met him. He will be sadly missed at Merseycat's and around Formby where he lived. Rest in Peace."

 Maureen and Ian Howe

Jimmy Kelly, one of the nicest blokes I have ever known. He will be missed by all those who knew him.  

Will Mountain

Earlier in the year I attended Merseycats for the first time in a long while, I was told of Jim's battle with cancer and marvelled at the way he regularly attended and, without any fuss, performed. I only spoke to him once, passing pleasantry's; it was obvious that Jim was a warm open person who was extremely brave and loved his music. Rest in peace Jim, our sympathies are with all who were close to him.

Keith, Mike and Jeff.
SHOOTER

Jimmy was one of the first people to chat and welcome us to the Marconi Club when we first joined Merseycats. He will be sadly missed.   Fond Memories

Norman & Hilary Curren

"Jim, not a lot to say, you took me by surprise and moved on... only the other week we went to the Southport theatre for a nights"rock and roll" , then you were then going to France for a few days, said "we'll meet up next week for a bite to eat"...and then it all became too much... Here's to one of life's Gentlemen, gave me grief when he jammed with me, (always said, "sorry, missed that chord") and he's giving me grief again.... See you later Jim.... "

Keith Turner

"I first met Jim several years ago at the Jam nights on Mondays at the Legion Old Roan
I immediately felt at ease with this great man because that what he was a Great Man,
always ready to offer encouragement to others me included,I did'nt know how ill he really was until last year and never heard him complain but seeing him in June up on stage with Chris Rimmer's band showed his enthusiasm for Rock n Roll certainly had not been affected.
Jim it was an honour having known you and to share the same stage,God Bless"

 Paul Taylor

"So sorry to hear about Jim's death, I did not know him for long, I met him on a couple of occasions when I was invited around to Colin Woodruff's for a meal, I found him to be a real gent and would speak to him when he visited Merseycats." With deepest sympathies from;

Ricky Gleason & The Topspots

"I remember when we used to play on the early shift at Merseycats,   the band was made up of anybody who was around ,and Jimmy and I said it was the best band of the night. A real gentleman and will be missed by all at Merseycats."

cheers, Mike (Ross) and Charlie

"So sorry to hear that Jimmy has passed away. He was such a gentle man and a good friend - always had time to speak to everyone and make everyone welcome at Merseycats. He will be sorely missed."

 Val, Mike & Stephen Morley

"We will always remember our good friend Jimmy,  who battled so hard against all his illness' without a murmer  of complaint.

  He was often at our little dinner parties and was always full of wit and fun especially when

Gordon and Ann where around."It doesn't matter Gordon" was one of his sayings to Gordon.

  We will really miss you Jim but in our hearts you'll always be with us.

Keep rockin old friend see you in part two."

Love always Colin and Dulcie. 

P.S

"Thanks for being my best friend you were so good to me,thanks for my lovely presents,

miss you lots."

Love Dulcie. XXX

"I have played with Jimmy many times at Cats and saw him a few weeks ago at Longmoor, we still had a laugh and a Joke, a gentle guy and a gentleman, hope you took your guitar Jimmy, you will be playing with True Legends up there."  

Arty Davies 

"Jim was the funniest and best uncle I could wish for. I told everyone I became friends with about him as I was so proud of his bravery and what he had achieved. I will always remember the fun times we had, and how as a child he was the only member of the family to get me to eat my dinners!! Jim was such a fighter, so much so that I cant believe it's happened. You will never be forgotten Jimmy, and you will always be missed. I'll think of you everytime I need some sit down time at a family party, and especially every time I see a pink panther! The family wont be the same without you. I'll love you and remember you always,"

Maisie xxxxx

"So sorry to hear Jim leaving us after his brave fight - a real gentleman in every way and so glad he fufilled his last wish to play with Chris Rimmer Band on Hard Days Night Hotel at Mathew Street Festival."

God bless & rest in peace

Maja & Keith Dodd

"Jimmy it was our pleasure to have known you for the short while that we did..It seems like only yesterday when we where arranging dates for the Brooke that you had arranged for us.We are so glad you got your last wish to play at the MSF 09.  "

Death leaves a heartache
No one can heal
Love leaves a memory
No one can steal

Rest in Peace mate. Searchin'

"Adios mon ami mate."  

Chris Wilson 

  " Thanks for the memories Jim. Be luckier wherever you are. Keep strummin".

John Partington ( Spidermen )

"One of the first people to befriend me when I first started going to  Merseycats, he was always there for anyone who needed his help. It was always most excellent to share the stage with Jim. It’s no surprise to me that this wonderful man was loved by so many of us. I am proud to have known Jim and I too will miss him."

     Colin Eaton 

"What great courage you had Jimmy. Every Thursday without fail you played at Merseycats. You were determined to play for Merseycats at the Hard Days NIght Hotel, and YOU DID. A really nice guy who will be sadly missed. Another Muso in Heavens Rock Band."

Goodnight God Bless, Geoff Nugent.

"The first time I met Jimmy Kelly was 49 years ago when he, with a bunch of his friends, tried to gate crash my friend's 15th birthday party by looking in through her front room window and asking to come in. The answer from my friend was "My Mum said No Boys!" but they came in anyway. Since then I bumped into Jimmy around Formby and at Merseycats lots of times. Loved your smile Jimmy when we unexpectedly met. Wish you didn't have to leave us. So glad you played the HDN Hotel gig."

God bless. Mave (Atherton)

"The courage Jim showed in the last weeks of his life was truly amazing, and we were privileged to share some of his last days with him at our home in France. He was determined to make the journey to Lourdes, with Mike Robinson, John Cawley, Jim and myself, despite being in excruciating pain throughout the trip.

Apart from the odd 'grumpy moment' (to which he was more than entitled! ) he maintained his sense of fun, made us all laugh, and above all, never doubted his faith.

I feel sure that his prayers were answered quickly, in that he is now at peace both mentally and physically."

Jim and Ann Rimmer.

"I knew you were suffering Jim because you had so much more to give and so much more to live. You were gentle and brave and made me giggle at your jokes and smile at your kind messages when I needed them."  

"Bless you Jim"

Love  Brenda (Lyden) X

"Jim was a truly special cousin and sincere friend. He supported me through difficult times with his reassuring phone calls, having little regard for his own health problems. Over the years Jim always made an effort to maintain close links with our families in Shropshire and Brighton, though the distance between us often made this difficult.  

I have very happy memories of times spent in Formby and guided tours of Liverpool. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Jim. He was "one of a kind" and will be greatly missed by friends and family alike."

" Forever in my heart and thoughts."

All my love.   Mary ( Stephen) x

Jimmy with Comedian Billy Shine (Thanks to Andy from Searchin')

The last pictures taken of Jim at the Hard Days Night gig 30th August 2009