Wow... Could it only have been two years ago? Seems like a decade.
Fly on, John.
Better place.
Peace.

John was very special to the Elliott household.  Not only did he jump on the piano to entertain my kids,  but was always generous with his time in helping me set up my home electronics which was John’s expertise.   He will be sorely missed and will be remembered always in our household  

Happy birthday John. Miss you a lot. I know the world needs the beauty of your music more than ever right about now. 

Hope you are at peace.

I went on a date with John about 5 years ago . It was a first date. He drove up on a bicycle. We had coffee then he took me a restaurant in delray where he led me upstairs where there was a gorgeous baby grand piano. He proceeded to blow me away with his playing. He would come over to my house and play guitar while Putting up with my terrible singing. We became friends. His talent was something that could not be compared to anything. He was one of a kind and I will miss his warm heart and friendship

To the Funkmeister
I met John while staying at Dave Golly's place around 2008. One day, I see him setting up a keyboard out on the front lawn. That's a bit odd, but I'll stick around. Didn't take long before he had another life-long fan. When he was with a band that already had a bassist, he practically had to sit on his left hand, since 
John blew bass quite well with lefty. This stymied his play for quite a while. The recent C19 led to financial pressures that, combined with other factors, led him to a lonely place. Fly on, Brotherman.

I spent a year playing music with John over 30 years ago and his memory still looms large in my life. He was a wonderful, warm soul who seemed to put whatever joy and pain he had in his heart into every note he played. The planet is a poorer, less colorful place without him on it. Rest peacefully, John. 

I met John at the Institute of Audio Research in NYC, He was different than the rest of the folks there, he had a crazy freedom about him, and the best sense of humor. A few months after meeting, he invited me to come see his band, Native. I was blown away by his playing,  as well as the playing of the rest of the band. That was the beginning of a 10 year journey for me as their sound engineer. When on the road, we sat next to each other in the van, if you knew him, you know his ability to drive you crazy, he did that on every trip, but that was just John. 
John left the band before I did, but we stayed good friends, maybe better friends. As the years went on, we managed to stay in touch, he would call me to tell me about his stumbles, as well as his successes, although at times it seemed like he struggled more than anything else. Our last call was about a week before he passed. He seemed like he was on a major upswing. He had a new place to live, some new keyboard gear, and he was excited to be playing. We facetimed for over an hour that day. When I hung up I was still smiling, and felt really good about what he was doing. I will miss my friend, my bandmate, my brother. He was a good man, with a problem he couldn't manage. I hope he is at peace on the other side. Much love to all those that knew and loved him. My condolences to his family, I am truly sorry for all of our loss. 

John was a beloved and integral member of our band D'Tripp in NYC during the 90's.  

He was a sweet and precious soul - I adored him greatly. 

Not only was he a gifted musician, he was a gifted person. I'm happy that we had the chance to reconnect, I hope he has found peace.

Love you Brother.  

Alice❤

John was a beautiful soul and the purest of souls, someone who lived and breathed music in a profound way that influenced and changed everyone who knew him. We shared this small planet for 30 years of our lives and I am devastated to know that we will share it no more, but I'm happy to know we got to speak recently. He was too good for this world, and wherever he is, it's more beautiful for his presence. I hope that gives some comfort to his family. 

To John’s Family & Friends,

       It is my sincerest sympathy to the bereaved family and relatives of the late John L Epstein. I share the grieving of  my boyfriend Jay Block as he is treasuring the lifetime friendship they have had with John. I felt the pain of losing love ones, family members or friends because together we journeyed life with them in good times and in bad times.

    To Jay , John form parts of his life’s younger years as John was one among his closed/best friend in his growing up years to the last day of his life even after death. I’m praying that everyone who is in depth pain of his loss will find the strength and courage to live life bringing happy memories that John left behind.

     We all know that there is always a time for everything. A time to live and a time to die, John is just ahead of us and our time is yet to come. The joy of living is a blessing yet the journey that John just ended is a celebration of his life he was once shared to all of us in any way.

     “Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.” 
            (George Eliot memory)



Sincerely,


Janice
 


OBITUARY

John L Epstein

28 May, 1969 – 13 April, 2020

IJ Morris at Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches

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