Industry accountant and charity campaigner dies

14:09 | Wednesday November 12, 2008

Boas was a partner at chartered accountants Harris and Trotter, where he worked on acts such as Depeche Mode. Ronnie Harris, a senior partner at the firm, explains that Boas came to him from University and worked his way through the ranks, bringing in clients such as KT Tunstall and Maximo Park.

“He was an exceptionally good guy and he loved the music business,” Harris adds. “Everyone he met could only say good things about him.”

After being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 33 Boas set up No Surrender, a charity to support middle-aged people suffering from the disease.

The No Surrender site (www.no-surrender.org) is intended to help cancer patients connect with others who are going through a similar experience.

The charity has raised more than £100,000 to date. Fundraising activities have included a concert featuring Blood Red Shoes, Mystery Jets and Maximo Park, while Boas himself ran three marathons.

Universal international marketing manager Alex Myers says, “I have known Jason for over 20 years and have lost my best friend after a rollercoaster year of highs and lows.

“As a fundraiser he was an absolute inspiration, running three marathons before his illness and raising over £100,000 since his diagnosis, for both the Royal Marsden Hospital and his own charity No Surrender, which he set up to support others in the same situation and age bracket as himself.

“He never lost his sense of humour throughout a year of relentless treatment and operations, he was a special person who touched everyone who met him. As a friend he is irreplaceable.”

Maximo Park manager Colin Schaverien adds, “Jason was not only a dear friend but a great colleague and a uniquely charismatic human being. He was the accountant for our bands Maximo Park, Blood Red Shoes and The Days. We struck up a friendship from day one.

“All who have met or spoken to Jason during the last year when he was battling the cancer would have been touched by his bravery and humour through the whole period. Despite adversity and numerous doctors telling him there was no more they could do he fought to the bitter end, without any complaint.

“He was a credit to his family, friends and work colleagues who all adore him.”

Tributes have continued to flood in to Boas:

KT Tunstall says, "Jason Boas; the tall, dark, handsome, hilarious and truly gifted Springsteen fanatic - you will be so missed."

Nicky Stein from law firm Clintons says, “Myself and everyone else at Clintons were extremely upset to hear the sad news of Jason's passing.

“He fought so bravely and was an inspiration to everyone connected both to him personally and the No Surrender Trust. I attended the concert which took place in May this year to raise money for the Trust. The courage that Jason showed that night was simply amazing - not only in attending the concert when he so ill, but by getting on stage and addressing over 2500 people and telling them his personal story. He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his parents, family and friends during this very difficult time."

KT Tunstall's manager Simon Banks says, "Jason worked with us from the beginning and was always a great support and a right old laugh. He is being missed.”

Indig02 senior booker Leo Green says, "A funny, kind, generous genuine man. An honour to have known him. Our relationship started out when I became his first client, over a very short period of time we became friends. I will miss him terribly, as I am sure many, many people will. The world has become a less fun place to be in, rest in peace."

Paul Smith of Maximo Park says, “I met Jason through his work for our band, but I'll remember him best for his enormous courage and his sense of humour. I remember his enthusiasm for life, especially during a trip to New York when Jason came to our show at Webster Hall. The dressing room was cramped and hot, so he offered his hotel room for a post-show shower while he had a drink in the bar.

“I met him in the lobby where he was practicing some well-rehearsed moves with the ladies. We walked along the giant sidewalk to a bar to meet the rest of the lads, and I'll never forget our conversation, even though it just consisted of shooting the breeze. That's the thing about Jason - he was good company, really easy going and extremely generous. For someone so young to have their life taken away from them seems truly unfair. He'll be sadly missed by everyone in the band.”

Robertson Taylor Insurance Brokers say, “Jason was a good friend and will be sorely missed - his strength in fighting the disease should be his legacy and we must continue to support the charity in his memory."

Jo Hart of Hart Media says, “Jason was one of the most incredible people in this life, who brought laughter and light into so many peoples lives, including mine and was taken way too soon.

“He was not only one of my good friends but also my accountant and he cared so much for those people he met and worked with, touching their lives in some way.

“Jason showed so much courage and strength through this awful journey and was an inspiration. His charity which he set up called No Surrender will live on in his name as he fought so hard to help many people in the same situation as him.

“I will never forget him and will miss him so very much and the memories I have of him as a friend and working with him are irreplaceable, just like he is.”