Jason passed away in his room at Hospice Halifax, while sleeping peacefully at about 2:30 in the morning, Sunday, September 27. He spent som time the previous afternoon tying up some loose ends in his affairs and spent quality time with several very old friends. Around 3:00 pm, he expressed some final wishes for what he would like to offer for the Buddhist community after his passing.
His voice was very faint, so he drew me very close and said, “Enjoy your journey.” “You too, I said,” We talked briefly about Trungpa Rinpoche and how much he loved him and how it made him who he was. Then, he said, “Sweet dreams.”
A bit later, in the early evening, he was agitated a bit from his liver condition. The nurse gave him a mild sedative and he relaxed, went to sleep, and passed away peacefully in the middle of the night.
Posted on Caring Bridge
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Post a Tribute to Jason below
Thank you manyfold for heart contributions which benefited us in three times. The Great Eastern Sun of your life has risen, set, and will dawn again
Dear Jason
Although worlds apart in our upbringing and ideologies, we really had different destiny’s with the same devotion. Oddly enough, I was just in Halifax in September and it gives me great angst to
Know that perhaps we could have had another visit together. We last spoke when I visited with your Mother before her passing in Chicago. May you both be bound up in love and light amongst our ancestors.😞🙏💕
I met the very handsome, intelligent and gentleman Jason many years ago at his Beloved Mother’s boutique in Montreal, sporting an umbrella in a very dapper manner. Jason looked like an old time movie star. I don’t have words to say about how shocked and saddened I am for his untimely passing. BDE
I just want to say: Jason was a great landlord, he was very fair, we always chatted about our love for scooters, he even came by the property with his 300cc and offered for me to take it out for a rip, but I was a couple drinks in and couldn't take him up on it. Yeah, he was just my landlord, but I'm really glad he was my landlord. My condolences to those who loved him. Wishing Jason the peace and rest in his new journey.
I had the pleasure of playing squash with Jason. I usually lost. (Always?) We would have rallies up and down the backhand wall--my backhand--Jason's forehand. He could really hit a forehand! These rallies I also almost inevitably lost. While I can remember losing, I fondly and much more clearly remember Jason's genuine smile after a hard rally that he had won (as I would become increasingly frustrated) and his kind words to me "Those are good shots!" "Not good enough" I'd reply. One of my favourite squash memories.
Very saddened to hear of his death.
Jason was so much for me that it all comes down to having a brother, a lifelong partner to share, love, laugh with, argue with, and just be with. I will miss him dearly.
I write this in sudden shock and complete sadness as I knew Jason was sick but had no idea he was nearing end of life.
I was a tenant of Jason’s for 15 years and in that time there was no one more grateful to have a safe and beautiful home in the wonderful North End community with such fair rent and attention to the space and property. When he told us of the sale in July I was saddened of course, but had no idea it had anything to do with him ‘tying up loose ends’. I’m proud of the note we exchanged but I truly wish I’d known he would be leaving this world. I told him I hoped he was going to take a very nice vacation after the sale to which he laughed and said, “Ha, yes a vacation would be very nice. See you around town.”
Rest in ultimate peace Jason 🩵
Jason,
You were a mentor and friend in the legal field. Your aura, palpable. Unlike others I have met. Although the passage of time left us separated, I was fortunate to have a long conversation with you a few months ago, not knowing it would be our last. We all die. Your training and practice will lead you down your path and transition with peace, calm and light.
For Jason:
Merrily Merrily Merrily Merrily
Life is but a dream
in the theatre of human ambition.
The mask we wear onstage is but a
painted face to catch the spotlight's gleam.
We speak our lines and play the scripted part,
concealing truth to serve the grand design
until the curtain falls and we are lost
without our heart.
The light refracts from a crystal in the sun.
Charoscuro of clouds remind us of the world.
If we can be authentically who we are,
that reflection shines on everyone.
I first met Jason at Karme Choling in 1971. In those early days there was a lot of hovering to get into Vidyadhara’s line of site. Jason had a ticket in. He was the teenage caller to a Montreal radio station interviewing Rinpoche and, of course, asked a very interesting question arising from his reading of a Milarepa book. (unclear if it was Evans Wentz or Garma CC Chang but knowing Jason it was both). Rinpoche didn’t really answer the question but knew he’d found a student and repeatedly told Jason to come to Karme Choling to meet in person.
Along with a dozen or so sangha brothers and sisters, we then were together in 1972 and 1973 at the Snow Lion Inn in Teton Village Wyoming running a hotel and plowing the ground for the first Vajradhatu Seminary. Jason, unsurprisingly, rocked the Buddhist Cowboy look. (Me, not so much).
He became a skillful lawyer, focusing on litigation of course. But he also volunteered with a Nova Scotia restorative justice program, bringing his compassion and skillful means in service to others. He was first and foremost a devoted student of Vidyadhara’s, caring sangha member, and diligent practitioner. I was so happy that he connected with the Profound Treasury Retreats and so moved that even while he was dealing with his cancer diagnosis, with all that struggle and uncertainty, he continued to serve as a sangha elder with brilliance and grace.
I had the pleasure of working for Jason since 2013.
I very much enjoyed our conversations, he was always so cool, calm and collected. Just a wonderful person; so full of knowledge.
Jason, you will be dearly missed by all of us that had the pleasure of knowing you!
I saw Jason across a room and was immediately drawn to him by the wonderful quality of his aspect - open, good humored and somehow knowing. He was a wonderful friend and a model gentleman - smart, worldly, gentle, good humored, generous, not at all naive. I couldn’t hep loving him; I lost contact with him and have continued to regret it.
Wishing you well and so sad that you had to die and leave this earthly plane. Peace and harmony and I wish that all the blessings from this life be remembered as you travel forth.
I met Jason at my first profound treasury retreat where I awkwardly sat somewhat at the first meal. With a few jokes, I was feeling more relaxed. Jason's favorite CTR story of mine was how CTR punched him in the stomach when they were in an elevator together. Out of the blue!
I had Jason (almost) convinced that the tattoo on my arm meant bodhisattva in Arabic after he told me about the "dangerous burkinis" swimming around the YMCA pool in Halifax.
Lots of good laughs. Our sangha brother will be missed.
Hearing stories of CTR from his students and watching their eyes tear up with the love and insanity of their times together, that somehow led to total sanity, will be missed as these "old dogs" go. Those stories keep me going on this lonely path.
So sad to hear this news. I had a decades-long crush on Jason, the kind that makes you too shy to do anything about it. Even so, it's sweet. Hope he is enjoying clear light bliss.
Jason, my friend, you have died. I hope you are expanding into the universal consciousness and will report back now and then in some mysterious way. We’ll each read the signs in our own way, and I think you would enjoy that.
I’ll remember you arriving at our Friday night potlucks with good humour, a story to tell, and a request to turn the lights down. You brought warmth to those evenings, and we will miss you.
Blessings to you, brother of compassion and generosity.
Do not be afraid!
Do not contrive!
Om Ami Dheva Hri
Sweet man. I met him in the early days at Tail of the Tiger. I believe he called into a radio station in Canada where the Vidyadhara was doing a show, after which he moved to Tail. I think it may still be available on this site.
Jason, will always remember and treasure your kindness, and as your dharma brother Layth said so well, your wry wit and ready laugh.
You will be missed by your loving circle of care and all those whose lives you touched and benefitted. Yes, sweet dreams, my friend.
Wonderful Dharma Brother, guardian of genuine Dharma. Saviour of spendthrift Dharma bums. Beacon of perspective in a kaleidoscope world. You pulled me out of the fire of heartbreak and insolvency many times and went on to help others. Your heart was made bigger by all the hard times early and late. You recognized the guru right away and never looked back. I miss your wry wit and ready laugh. Thank you for being my big brother. Thank you for helping all our friends. Thank you for fighting for those less fortunate. Yuppy on the outside, hippie on the inside, your sword was sharp, but kind. Thank you for being our friend.
We'll all be with you soon, Jason. Momento mori
