Friday, January 21, 2005 - Auntie Stephanie
Years ago, I made these homemade ginger cookies to make into "perfect gingerbread houses" complete with frosting, gumdrops, etc. So, ther frosting-similar to super glue was going to hold these cookies upright into houses, right? Wrong!! One stood and the rest fell over--i was SO aggravated! Jeff started decorating one of the fallen houses--I said "jeff, forget it they're a mess" and in usual Jeffrey form, he shrugged his little shoulders, and said "Its OK Auntie Steph---this one is going to look like the one that the big bad wolf blew down" Yup, thats Jeff--never wanted to make anyone feel bad and found a way to make lemonade from lemons. What a kid. Love you Jeff and miss u too much. XOXOXO Auntie Steph
Hilary (Jeff’s cousin) - January 14, 2005
I thought about it… and yup… Jeff was most definitely the best cousin I or anyone could ever ask for. Of course he drove me nuts, but that was the way Jeff was supposed to be!! If he wasn’t bugging you all the time, you knew something was up! He was just so fun to be around. Growing up with him was so perfect. We spent so much time together. I remember all of the toys and games we used to play. We would act out sonic and tales and watch the lion king during TV turn off week (torture for kids!!). And Mel would just hang out with us.
The worst part about all of this is that I will never get to just hang out with him, hug him, goof around with him, paint his nails black and blue, watch the stars with him in Ellensburg where there’s a perfect clear open sky, watch him on the ATV, watch him play his wacky video games, watch stupid movies, watch him sketch cool pictures in his sketch books or even see him ever again. I can’t believe I won’t get to grow up with him. He was just such an awesome kid.
Why did he leave? Is there a heaven? Will I ever meet with him again when I die? Is he watching me as I grow up? Does he miss me as much as I miss him?
When we were on the plane on our way to MA this past summer (2004) and he was sketching something in his sketch book. I had no idea what it was and I was just going to watch him to see what it came out as. He saw me watching and noticed I was confused so he started explaining what it was. It was two flowers that were wrapped around each other. One was a flower seen at a baby shower and the other was seen at a funeral. In the corners of the paper he drew baby’s breath and another flower seen at a funeral. I thought it was the coolest picture. It had such… meaning. I told him I wanted it when he was done. But then we both forgot and he left it in his sketch book. I think it should still be in his sketch book. Can you find it Mel? And maybe put it on this website?
So anyway, I miss you Jeff and I love you more than anything. I hope you are looking down on me and the rest of our family and making sure God treats us good! Make sure you make everyone up there laugh and play your drums for them, they will love it. You were such a great kid and I really hope I see you again someday and catch up on what we missed!
Jeff and Hil, cousins and best buds <3
From Jeffrey’s Auntie Leslie – January 14, 2005
I remember a lot of times at family get togethers, that when Jeffrey was younger, he was a lot of the time, with his dad Tim. So my brain is having a hard time comprehending that like "ok, Jeffrey's away, but he'll be back later..." Oh, Jesus, do I wish that was so. I just can't believe the hollowness that is left inside. But do you know what the nice thing about my memories of Jeffrey, honestly and sincerely? I have not one single bad memory of him at all. He never did anything to me, or Steph, or Grandma, or Matt, Alex, Hilly, Mel, Steve, etc....to HURT anyone or make anyone like "ok, I'm not gonna talk to him for a while, til I simmer down!" NOPE nuthin. Hey Jeffrey, emembernay enwhay ouya andnay emay alkedtay igpay atinlay allnay aday, andnay everyonenay ouldway etgay admay, utbay ouryay ommay ouldcay eakspay ootay! OR when I came to your house on Christmas day early, and you opened the door and say "um, sorry, wrong day, wrong house...." I wish this all was a bad bad dream, and I would wake up, call your house, and you would be there.
From Jeffrey's Auntie Leslie (1/12/05)
I remember when Jeffrey was born, on March 10, 1990. I was a senior in high school. I was out in my backyard, on Spring Street, w/Mercie McGregor, and mom (Joyce) yelled out (actually in her normal voice, just kidding mommy! love u) "LES!!! Let's go! Mel had a baby boy!!!!!!!" Man I was psyched. I dropped my shirt I was tye dying and headed up to Quincy w/mom. And there he was...Jeffrey David Peak, in all his glory. What a beautiful baby too!
There is so many many many (THANK GOD) things that I remember about Jeff, but the one thing that stands out so clearly in my head was when he would see a fire truck that was used for forest fires, and he would say in his little voice "Look forest fee forest fire Aunty Les!" Jesus Christ Jeffrey, you made so much joy and love in my heart, and I miss you so freakin' much. It's not fair. I'm mad. Really. I'm mad cuz I was so freakin' busy the past 8 years w/Pogo's (and w/your suggestions all the time "hey Auntie Les, um, I um think that you should take the CARDIGAN bread (really it's cardamon, but Jeffrey's way sounded so much better!) and put chocolate chips on it, then the glaze!"
I wish I spent more time with you, but I know that you understood, but still. It just sucks. You were such an amazing person. Thank God you took after your mom, cuz believe it, you were her twin for Christ's sake. You were just so freakin' awesome and dynamic, and yes you know it too, weird. Like the rest of the family, huh? What a huge hole is left in my heart. It actually aches, Jeffrey.
But thanks for sending me "messages" thru the radio ie. when I'm sad, Ozzy starts singing Crazy Train. I love you, I cry about you. I can't even let the phrase "forest fee forest fire Aunty Les" enter into my brain without crying. Remember the gold coins (chocolate) I used to get you every single Christmas? I don't even remember why that started. You would.
I miss you so so so much. I love you, and I can't wait to see you again. Catch a fish or something w/my Dad. Or tell him jokes, he'll get it, he's sarcastic just like the rest of us. Uh, ya think? Shut up Richard...fat man in a little coat, fat man in a little coat.
From Jay, Jeffrey's Cousin (11/12/05)
Last night, the night of 1/11/05, I had a dream about Jeff. I was hanging out on the computer and listening to the song, "I'll Be Missing You" by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans, and Jeff came down the basement stairs and sat down on the couch where you slept when you were stayin here and just kind of sat down under a blanket and listened. Then when the song was over, he got up, and grabbed the PS2 controller, and i saw he was wearing the same Nike sweatshirt I have, and until i recently talked to you on the phone and found out it is what he was buried in, I thought it was just a hint of what to wear or something. So he just sat there playing video games, and I was sort of staring at him like, didn't something happen to you, and he looked at me and just said, "what?". I just laughed and continued what I was doing, and didnt think anything of it. It wasn't until I woke up that i realized that something special had happened, and I wish that that dream could never have ended, because even in the dream, I never had a chance to say good-bye, and thats all I want.
At Jeffrey's Wake and Funeral, we handed out slips of paper that said:
Jeffrey David Peak
“What I Remember”
Remembrance to share with Jeffrey’s family.
When complete, place your sheet in the basket.
Here are some of the "Remembrances" that we received:
Jeff was the best friend I had. He could turn anything into a joke no matter what it was and if someone was down, he would and could cheer them up very fast.
I remember he used to always smile when he was at the Youth Center and make me laugh when I was sad. I will miss him and hope for the best for his family.
Jeff and I were both injured in PE so we would sit and play cards. We both had a great time and I will never stop missing or thinking about him.
I had a very good friendship with Jeff. You had a very well thought out son. You’re lucky to have a wonderful son. Take care. With all my love.
Jeff acted like the big brother I never had. He protected me and treated me like any big brother should. He was fun loving and always knew how to make me laugh. You’re lucky to have had a son like Jeff.
I remember last year in Mr. Dwight’s science class everyone would call you random man because you would always say random things.
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Once when me and Jeff were walking along to Circle k he asked me what would you say if I just reached over and cut your hair and I said that I would get mad and so he reached over with a pair of scissors and cut about 2 inches off, but I didn’t do anything about it because it was underneath so you couldn’t see much of it gone.
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I remember one day when all of his friends that were there wore dresses or skirts and I had an extra one so he decided he would wear it all day and he did! He was so crazy and fun. I’ll never forget that!
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I miss Jeff and Love him. I’ll never forget you!
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That if I loved him anymore he would have exploded. “Forest Fee Forest Fires Auntie Les”
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He had a very unique sense of humor.
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Jeff, what can I say about Jeff! There are so many words to describe him all in which are good! Jeff was always there. You could go to him about anything. He loved us all and we loved him. He will always be in our hearts.
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I knew Jeffrey through his mom. The Jeffrey that I knew through his mom was a great kid. I enjoyed knowing him...He will live on through memories and will always be a part of you Meredith...
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I remember Jeff walking through the youth center doors everyday rocking out with his headset on. Ruining my posters by tagging them with silly words like “fruitcake” or “tacos!” Breaking his collar bone doing a “superman dive” on the concrete and show up as the “Fonz” in his brand new leather Jacket. He will be missed.
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At the fair, me and Jeff went on some rides together. He was really cool and we were a lot alike. We talked a few more times after that, before this happened.
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Jeff, you were so funny, why did you do it? Wherever you are I hope you are in a better place. I hope I see you when I kick the bucket!
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What I remember about Jeff is that he LOVED metal! He was an awesome guy. I will never forget him.
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I will always love Jeff. I will also never forget him. I always went to him for good advice. He was so special like a brother. I think if I loved Jeff anymore he might have had no more room for love. I will never forget talking about our fathers. How they were both abusive and that we didn’t think of them as alive. I love you Jeff – Count to Schfifty-Five for me
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Again I write just to say that we all miss you on this day. You look so pale. You feel so frail. And I just want to say that I wish you could stay.
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I never had the perfect science fiction book in my library, but he loved my Speed Racer poster.. Rock on Jeff...
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When me and my boyfriend would hug, Jeff would come up to us and say “Aww... who would break that up??? I WOULD!!” Also, the way he would drop slap his hand on every one’s shoulder and stand sort of lopsided because of his case and talk about the government being stupid and the many different bands he liked.
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What I remember about Jeff was that he was the only good, loyal friend I had when I met him. Whenever I think of him, I think of a day at the Youth Center. We were making t-shirts. I chose a stupid Slipknot shirt while Jeff made a shirt that made me fall over with laughter. It had “Grr” on it and it said “It’s time for Waffles!”. I’ll never forget it.
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I remember how I got to spend time with Jeff at the fair and I got to know him and just had a blast with him. I will never forget that.
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I didn’t know Jeff very long since I just moved here a month ago but Jeff was the funniest guy I ever met! I remember at the late night movie at the youth center, Jeff and I talked about anything and everything for hours. I never knew I could have so many things in common with someone I just met!! I love you Jeff!!
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Jeff was always listening to his CD player and was always laughing. He and I would always play different card games that he taught me. I probably didn’t know him as much as other but I was one of his many friends and miss him very much.
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I only knew Jeff from memories and I’m really sorry that I didn’t get to know my brother-in-law.
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Say Hi to God for me and tell him if he ever tries to do this to me, I will kick his A**, ok? Cya later man. P.S. I know how to count all de way to schfifty five.
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I can’t even fit what I remember about Jeff. So much! And I drained most of it out Wednesday night in his room with you. Though I hold true when I say he would sure talk about gnarly things that never happened. And that we were sure couldn’t happen. Anyways, this definitely wasn’t on his list of ways to die. I’m sure he’d have liked this memorial, had he been here.
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We will always remember you Jeffrey Peak
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When I met Jeff he was being forced to put a dress on by his close friend. But it was all for laughs, no harm done. I thought he was the rebel kid who thought of punk rock and he was the kind of kid I would have gotten along with.
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I remember when Jeff wore a dress to school. It was the funniest think I had ever seen in my life. Jeff would do anything for anyone. He was the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. He was like a brother to me. I love him so much and I will never forget him.
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I love you from here and now on. Please remember me up there and help me stop having nightmares about death. I pray to you and think of you. Help me stop crying and help me be “ok”. I feel alone now without you.
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Jeff was a great kid. He always laughed. He was a happy kid. At first we didn’t get along, but when I got to know his personality, we became buds. We both liked the same music. Everybody loved Jeff and many people who just knew him and met him. He was a great friend. In memory of Jeff.
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I wanted to say sorry for your loss. I did not know him that long but we first met my boyfriend and I just got into a fight. I was crying and Jeff came up to me and said everything so sweet! He told me that I deserved better than that boy and then he would always say hi to me. And I will never forget the way he said “Yeah Baby”. Sorry for your loss.
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Jeff was the best guy you could know. I will miss him more than anyone can know.
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The last memory I have of him is giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
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What I remember the most about Jeff was his smile and the random hugs. Once he gave me a hug and kissed my cheek
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Jeff was my star. He brightened my day every time I saw him. I love you Jeff
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In science in 8th grade, Jeff could always answer every one of our teacher’s questions!
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I remember that he was one of the most outgoing people that I have ever met. He always tried to make you smile or laugh. He always tried to say what he felt. He was a great person. I miss him dearly and I wish you guys to feel better and think of him in your hearts.
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I never knew your little one, but from my children, I learned that he was an awesome soul. There is no way to understand your pain but God does. He loves all of you dearly and I know that someway, somehow, he will see you through this and you all will come out better because of it. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all daily.
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Jeff always wanted a hug from everybody!
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Last year, he was in my field trip group to EMP and we went into the jam room and he played the drums. He was Great! It was the most memorable part of the trip.
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Peace man, cya later.
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I remember that no matter what, Jeff would always find something to joke about to brighten your day.
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In 8th grade, me and him and another friend all played tricks and stuff on our teacher. It was great. RIP Jeff Peak.
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I remember in 7th grade I first met him in my PE class. He became my friend and our friendship grew throughout time.
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In the 8th grade, Jeff and I dressed up as Starsky and Hutch for Halloween. That day was the best time Jeff and I spent together.
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I remember the first time I met Jeff. He was decked out in Nike’ and he told me that he was actually punk, but he lost his clothes. It was at a youth center dance. In those few minutes, he made me laugh!
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Jeff was a great guy! Me and him shared so many moments. The best is him always helping at the youth center. He always knew when I was down and he always cheered me up with his great smile. I loved him with all my heart. I just hope he knew that.
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I remember when Jeff went to ski school with me. He was great at it. He used to share his music with me. He was an awesome friend.
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I didn’t know Jeff very well, but what I did know, I respected. When he first came to MMS I remember him being a new person with a great attitude and a desire to play his sax well! He will be missed!
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He’s so random. Everyday in class he would take our minds off the boring subject by shouting out something so random. He always made me feel better.
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He was different, but I liked that. He was nice and he had A LOT of friends.
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I met Jeff at the youth center. We were listening to some pretty good music. He is the one that introduced me to hard, heavy metal
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Just wake up, come back to us and forget the past.
Just take off that dark, painful cast.
You’re not gone, you can’t be
Come back to your friends and family
I was not your best friend, but I still care
When you left, it just wasn’t fair.
People said you committed suicide
But no, you died on accident. They just lied.
I still can’t accept the fact that you’re dead.
I’m sad and so is everyone else.
Your death holds on deep
And it’s heavy like lead.
Just come back, just wake up,
If not for me than for everyone else.
Jeff, come back please.
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Jeff was a friend of mine. He always said “hi” to me and always made me laugh. He had such a great smile and was also very bright. He never truly judged anyone by the way they look and he didn’t care of what people thought of him. He had an awesome sense of humor and had a wonderful personality. He made me feel special when he wanted to work with me in math class. I will never forget that soul, and he will remain in so many hearts.