Mike Marqusee 1953-2015

Mike Marqusee, our friend and comrade, died peacefully on 13 January 2015, aged 61. The funeral will be on Tuesday 20 January, 2pm – 3.45pm at St Marylebone Crematorium, East End Road, Finchley, London N2 0RZ.

Our friend and comrade Mike Marqusee has died. He had been ill with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, since 2007. Mike was a journalist and writer, author of If I am not for myself  and other books, a principled socialist and a man of wide cultural interests, from cricket to poetry, writing on subjects from Bob Dylan to Muhammad Ali.

For the Jewish Socialists' Group, he spoke at meetings and wrote in our magazine. Within the Stop the War Coalition, of which he had been press officer, he challenged the leadership's reluctance to have a JSG speaker when its Trafalgar Square rally fell on Rosh Hashanah. Mike was also the leading person in establishing Iraq Occupation Focus, which enabled Iraqis, including the leader of the southern oilworkers' union and women activists, to make their voices heard.

And when the JSG was asked to provide a Jewish speaker for a Muslim radio chat show, who else filled the bill but Mike?

Mike's partner in life and politics, Liz Davies, says she has been overwhelmed by the messages of condolence and support she has received.

Contributions can be made in Mike’s memory to Medical Aid for Palestinians, a cause close to Mike’s heart, and/or to St Joseph’s Hospice.

Messages can be sent to Liz Davies.

Liz is also circulating the following information about Mike's funeral.
Mike's funeral will be on Tuesday 20 January, followed by food and drink near the Crematorium (details below). There will also be a memorial event in a few months' time. Please feel free to attend either or both events. Please inform anyone who may wish to attend.

Funeral of Mike Marqusee
Tuesday 20 January • 2.00pm – 3.45pm
St Marylebone Crematorium
East End Road, Finchley, London N2 0RZ
(The most prominent sign at the entrance is in fact for Christ's College.)

Nearest tube: East Finchley or Finchley Central, then bus 143 (between Archway and Brent Cross)There will be food and drink afterwards at the Clissold Arms, 105 Fortis Green, East Finchley, London. N2 9HR. Map reference here. The pub is about 20 minutes walk from the crematorium.

Posted: 18 January 2015