Family say Dover railway worker saved five lives through organ donation
Jamie Curtis is being remembered by his loved ones as someone who always helped others
The family of a Dover railway worker say he saved five lives after donating his organs following his death.
Jamie Curtis died at the age of 50 at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford after choking at home in Dover.
He worked at Dover Priory station for 33 years and was described as popular with customers and colleagues.
Jamie was also a devoted son, brother and uncle, who his family say never missed a family occasion.
His loved ones have vowed to "live like Jamie" in his honour.
Jamie had registered his decision to donate his organs in 2011, but had not told his family about his wishes.
His family are now sharing his story as part of Organ Donation Week, in the hope it encourages others to speak to their loved ones about their wishes.
'We have the opportunity to carry that on for him'
Jamie’s brother Tom, who is assistant head teacher and teaches history at Simon Langton Girls School in Canterbury, said: “He had a strong sense of public duty and a belief in community, and we have the opportunity to carry that on for him.
“He was always there for our family events and we are so grateful for all the times we got together with him.
“I believe we now have the opportunity to live life to the full in his memory; to live like Jamie, and that is a comfort.”
Tom said knowing Jamie had registered his decision to donate helped the family at an extremely difficult time.
Tom said: “You just never think it will happen to you. Once we knew it was what Jamie wanted it was a relief that we didn’t have the burden of making that decision.
“Instead, I felt a duty to ensure his wishes were carried out. Jamie and I felt the same – if anything in our bodies can be used for someone else once we no longer need it, let’s do it.
“It was very much in keeping with who he was; he donated blood, he would buy a stranger a drink if they were having a bad day, and if someone stopped him in the street he would give them a pound.”
Remembering Jamie
Jamie and Tom shared a bedroom for 10 years as children.
Tom remembers his brother as energetic and sociable, as well as kind and gentle.
Tom said Jamie enjoyed sport for the social side and loved to travel, including trips to the Caribbean, the USA and around Europe.
He was best man at his best friend Tyrone’s wedding in Cyprus.
Jamie also wanted to be the best uncle he could be, and would take Tom’s sons to watch Folkestone Invicta.
Tom said: “He would be stressed if he felt like he was a burden. He enjoyed sport, but more the social aspect than competing.
“The whole family and all his friends and colleagues miss his company. He would talk to you about absolutely anything and never judge you, and we never once had an argument. I know for many of us, the chance to go for a pint or coffee with Jamie is an unfillable gap in our lives.
“He loved to travel and had been to so many places: the Caribbean, USA, and all around Europe. He was best man for his best friend Tyrone’s wedding in Cyprus. Jamie made so much out of life and I find that really inspiring.
“He said he wanted to be the best uncle he could be, and he would take my sons to watch Folkestone Invicta.
“Noah now plays for their youth team and has a season ticket – I’m more of a Dover supporter but I watch them every fortnight for Jamie, and the boys love that connection with him.”
'He saved five people’s lives'
The family wear gold heart pin badges, presented by NHS Blood and Transplant to honour organ donors.
They also regularly visit Jamie’s final resting place to share their memories.
Tom said: “It was such a deep shock but we are all very proud of him, of who he was in life and of how he helped people after death.
“He saved five people’s lives and it was a real comfort getting the letters of thanks and knowing he was able to continue helping people in the way he wanted.
“He gave us the gift of certainty of what he wanted, which made the mountain of grief we were experiencing easier to deal with.
“I’d definitely recommend that everyone should have that conversation, in a calm environment, not a crisis, so your loved ones are clear on your wishes.”
The family have thanked the hospital teams who cared for Jamie before and after his death on New Year’s Day this year.
Tom said: “It was a team of just incredible people who were devoted to what they had to do.
“They work in very difficult circumstances and are so busy but they displayed such incredible resilience and care.
“They were patient and they always had time to listen, and the whole thing was full of dignity.
“They played music for him in theatre and made sure he could serve everybody, just like he did when he was alive.”