About Courtney Bartley....To all those who have extended a hand of friendship in support of this memorial page - Thank you
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One page is not enough to tell the complete story of Courtney's Bartley who was born in Finsbury Park, Islington, North London on 29 March 1962. He showed signs of being a very gifted child very early on in his life.His interest in music was first inspired by his father, the late Reginal Nathanial Bartley (AKA Witty, Saviour) who had an extensive record collection which crossed many musical genres such as Country and western, ska, jazz, blues and reggae. Courtney often played DJ at family events entertaining the family with this father's Fats Domino and Jim Reeves collection.Courtney would often line up his younger sisters and coach them to sing harmonies. Even at the young and tender age of around 11 Courtney was a strict teacher who expected perfection from his young siblings who remember him being ruthless if they dared to sing out of tune! Courtney was equally as tough on himself and always strove for perfection. He was always the dedicated teacher who was always keen to pass on his knowledge.Courtney was was gifted with an amazing vocal talent from an early age and began to learned to play the guitar at from the age 12. Courtney's mother bought him his first guitar and his sisters were glad to sacrifice their christmas presents so that their brother, who they admired and looked up to, could have the guitar that was to open up so many doors for him. As soon as Courtney mastered the basics of the guitar he began performing with his school band (Freezing Heat). He became a local celebrity following his popular performances in the neighbourhood street festivals by the time he was 14 years of age.In his late teenage years Courtney chanelled his talents towards the reggae which being of Jamaican heritage, was his first love. He played with a band called Cedar Roots and then became a member of the popular local band the Instigators headed by Mafia and Fluxy. During his short life Countney had the opportunity of meeting and working with very influencial people in the music industry such as Azward, Maxi Priest, Lloyd Brown, David Rodigan and many more and had the opportunity to perform in the musical Black Heros in the Hall of Fame playing the legend Bob Marley.Courtney's sudden and untimely death on 8 February 1994 left a devastating empty space in the lives of his family which included his two children Michael and Courtney Junior, 4 sisters, and many nieces and nephews and other family members. Not to mention the numerous friends and extended family members who knew and loved him.When his father died in 1984 of a massive brain haemorrage (the same illness which was to claim Courtney's life 10 years later), the family can never forget how Courtney bought his guitar to his dads bedside at the hospital and played the guitar while singing Bob Marley's "three little birds" (don't worry bout a thing). His father left this life peacefully comforted by his family, led by his one and only son singing this wonderfully positive and optimistic song. Courtney's mother Annie Bartley (who Courtney always affectionately called Gera), passed away on 26 March 2000, 3 days before the date of Courtney's Birthday. Courtney's beloved neice Claudia was diagnosed with breast Cancer in the March 1994 a month after Courtney's sudden death and lost the battle after a 3 year in 1997. It is difficult to know how much of an impact losing Courtney had on Claudia (may your spirit rest in eternal peace) and the rest of the family but it is a comfort to know that those who have gone before and after him are blessed to in the presence of Courtney's spirit.Courtney, those of your family and friends that remain in this life miss you dearly but your memory lives on forever. It has taken 14 years to gather the strength to plan to do something to celebrate your beautiful, short, but inspiring and full life which you never spent anytime wasting.We love you and miss you but your memory is still very much alive in our hearts and a celebration of your life is a long time overdue!
Missing You - Diana Ross
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aVlbbk4SPC4
