I first got to know of Ninj through his website and webring back in 97, i think. I was enthralled when i first found his website, and i still am whenever i go back to the infiltration site to re-read the stories.

but it wasn't just his body of writing or the wittiness of his stories that made me feel so much respect and fondness for him; it was the fact that he was always, unfailingly encouraging to other people. He put a lot of energy into going out of his way to be nice, in a way that is rare and really quite wonderful. The first time a wrote a story for Jinx, before i had ever really corresponded with Ninj, i got email from him out of the blue, telling me that he had read it and really enjoyed it and i had done a good job. I was both a little flabbergasted-- ninj was reading MY stories?-- and also really, really encouraged. The same kind of thing happened as i was setting up a new website a few years back--- i had been meaning to ask him if i could join the infil ring again but before i got around to it, i got an email from him saying he'd been looking at my site and would i like to join the ring again? Basically, he just made the effort to be friendly and supportive with me and others whether or not we deserved it-- and by doing so he really encouraged my writing, my photography, and my explorations, all of which are things that i am really proud of. which maybe is part of why i am so incredibly saddened by the news of his death, to a degree that is way, way out of proportion to the very few times i actually met him in person.

I guess what it all boils down to is just that i think he was a really great guy and i'll miss him very much. from the first time that i had seen his website or read his posts on the infil or underground mailing lists back in the late 90s, I had hoped that someday i would meet him; but in my thoughts it be like an acolyte meeting a guru; i thought maybe i would make a pilgrimage to his doorstep to pay my respects to him, or something like that. but he never gave me the chance to approach him as an acolyte approaches a master, because from the very first time we corresponded to the last time we met, he insisted on treating me as a peer and a friend.

Liz & Jeff's family: I am more sorry than i can say for your loss, and as the chorus of posts shows, this loss is also deeply felt by me and by many others.

This is such sad and shocking news.

I never met Ninj in person, but we did correspond through email.

In fact, the very last words he sent to me were on August 11th, exactly two weeks ago, and in response to an inquiry as to how he was doing:

“I am very well considering my health. I go out a lot and I'm really deeply in love with my wife so life is actually pretty darn good most of the time.
Jeff “

Ninj was a remarkable and inspiring explorer, a passionate storyteller, and above all, a unifier -- all evidenced by this amazing outpouring.

My most sincere condolences to his loved ones.

His spirit of infiltration and curiosity will live on.

today me jen nel58 and dvs went to explored in his memory. we felt like writing RIP NINJ but we dint have any chalk, it will be done next time.

I never met him but he was a source of inspiration for me and i agreed to many things he said on his site.

wherever you are ninj, we will all miss you

Posted by Avatar-X I will also register as an organ donor as soon as I figure out how to do it. I've also suggested my mother do the same. I think all of you should too -- why not, really? You could save a life. -av

Av made a good point here. I signed my organ donation card when I renewed my driver's licence a long time ago. Just check with a local Ministry of Transport office to see if they still do this.

One more thing:

Please tell your family in advance of this wish! Too many potential organ donors didn't do this with very sad results.

This will save your loved ones a great deal of extra unnecessary pain during a time when they can't think clearly. This was very hard for me to do but at least it is one less thing to worry about.

My greatest condolences. Though I never knew him, he sounded like a great guy. I've been busy so I haven't posted much.

To Ninjalicious, a pioneer in the world of exploring, may you rest in peace.

My next UE is dedicated to him.

-Doc

I think Jeff accomplished the one thing we can most hope for on Earth, he will be remembered because of the lives he touched, like ripples of water that form after the brief splash of a pebble that radiate outwards long afterwards...

The night he passed away I actually had a dream about him, I was going up the Hearn coal chute and the whole thing was coming loose and shaking off its foundations. At the top, Ninj held out his hand and pulled me up out of danger, I know it sounds like bullshit, but I'm not a religious or spiritual person, it's just an example of how a person like Ninj becomes a part of the collective psyche and invades our dreams.

There are few people on Earth who can claim such a feat...

Right now (18:00 Central Standard Australian Time, 26th August) various branches of the Cave Clan are holding simultaneous wakes across Oz - Green and I are out for a few beers in Darwin, the Melbourne boys are meeting up at a pub and then heading off on an exploration mission in Jeff's honour. There's probably a lot of others doing something around the country too.

Last time I saw Ninj I was drinking a beer; I think he was on a Coke or something - but this is our way of commemorating him anyway.

Cheers Ninj,

Gilligan

I used to think I was the only person who liked going into abandoned factories to explore - I was certainly the only one I knew.

Then a workmate (a subway tunnel explorer) gave me a copy of the infiltration zine, and my outlook changed completely. I never met ninjalicious, but he made a difference in my life.

*tips 40*

Ninjalicious is the person who let me know that there are other people who find the forgotten corners of our society are interesting. I've never met him (and wish now that I had), but he was a major inspiration to me. No one has done as much for UE as he has.

Keep exploring Ninjalicious.

I posted the 23rd Psalm a post, or two back as an attempt to offer some comfort to his friends, and family. I also like to offer this thought;

Do not grieve at his death, but celebrate his life. Remember the good times everyone had with him while he was on this Earth.

RIP Ninja.

I am not a very frequent person on this forum or in urban exploration in general. But I did get the pleasure of meeting Jeff at Opex94. In fact I happened to be with him when he got busted in Union Station. The security personnel acted like they had exposed a notorious druglord or something. They couldn't control their triumphant feelings and were also eager to show off all their research and pictures and say the names they knew. Excluding a harmless ninja from a favorite playground saved their day.
The few hours I spend in the presence of Ninj made a great impression on me. He truly is one of the coolest people I've ever met! I still often think of the many clever pieces of advice he had on how to be sneaky and the witty way he said them.

I had no idea Ninj was ill. I am complete shocked and moved to tears. Also because now he will never get to hear the radio piece I did featuring him among others. I just never got around to mailing him a copy! Now I'm so very sorry.
Liz, if you'd like I'll send a copy to the Infiltration vaults. It's in Danish except for the interviews.

Rest in peace legendary Ninjalicious.

Sad news indeed, even tougher when friends and loved ones are taken early. My condolonces to family and friends.

Alex.

This is shocking news, to say the least.

Rest in peace, Ninj.

I've met Ninj twice. The most down to earth, friendliest guy. We talked about everything from UE to Foot Foot and Woodward. Toronto meets will never be the same. The whole community has lost the brightest, most personable spokesperson and greatest ambassador. Liz and Jeff's family, my deepest sympathies. Those of us who have met Jeff were indeed blessed to get to know such an inspiring and caring person. During the worst period in my life, Jeff PM and emailed me to make sure I was alright. Thank you Jeff.

Well, i just discovered this hobby yesterday, and read some of Ninj's articles. Then i came back to read more and saw the notice on the home page. . . obviously I've never talked to him, but man, wut a guy!! I can't wait to meet you when i get up there Ninj!!! R.I.P.
pc out
-Cody

I've tried to write something here over and over again the past few days... but the right words are so hard to find.

Jeff gave urban exploration a name, a voice, a community, and a history. He had my admiration and deepest respect for looking beyond the practice of exploring to larger questions of ethics and how we relate to the urban spaces we live in.

Jeff will be missed in ways I can't begin to express. I take some comfort in knowing that Ninjalicious, larger than life, will still be here in his stories and words, and that his spirit will continue on in the wonder he has inspired in his countless admirers.

Goodbye, Jeff, and thanks for all the doors you've opened.

It's been requested that I post this link, so here it is.

http://www.wrftpb.com/oases/

I'm stunned.

All I can say is, condolences to the families, biological and otherwise, he left behind.

Jeff,
You were an inspiration to Urban Explorers of all stripes in countries around the world. You'll be missed by all.

Requiescat In Pace, Ninj.

I hardly knew Jeff. Mostly, I only really knew him as Ninj.

I only met him a few times. I found him an intelligent, witty, and optimistic (even in the face of our doomed OPE94 CTF team) person.
I love his book and Infiltration has always put a smile on my face.

I appreciate what I interpret as his vision beyond commonplace urban exploration and loathing of several trends of modern society.

Amongst ourselves, UEM always put him on a pedestal, for reasons ranging from his insatiable hunger for (and skill with!) urban exploration, his handling of hot steam pipes with bare hands, and his inspiring outlook on life even despite his illness. Of course, this probably would have bugged him, but it was an outlet for showing how much we admired and respected who he was, as an explorer and as a person.

I'm so glad that he and Liz were able to make it to OPE95. His seminar, with his face brightened and grinning while he spoke, for awhile seeming like he wasn't even sick at all, was everything I consider "Ninjalicious" to be.