Obituary: Richard Michael Jones
DAVID BILLINGTON
It is with deep regret that the Association has to announce the passing of Richard Michael Jones, at the age of 79, on Wednesday 11th April 2012. Richard attended PGS from 1941 to 1944 and was in Goodair. He left to go to Accrington Grammar School when his family relocated.
Our President, John Whalley, who attended the service of celebration for Richard’s life at St John Baptist Church, Broughton, yesterday (23rd April), was a School colleague and a longstanding friend. John writes, “(His) National Service was completed in the Merchant Navy and from here (Accrington) he moved back to the Preston area, eventually marrying in 1957, and living on Garstang Road, Fulwood. He founded the engineering company Jonesco Ltd, which is now located on Pitman Way in Fulwood, and which produces mudguards for commercial vehicles for both the home and export markets.
Richard was a very keen and active Round Tabler and Rotarian and had a number of leisure interests which included classic car restoration projects, kit car assembly, small boat building and sailing. He also became an experienced pilot with his own twin-engined Cessna aircraft which he piloted all over Europe on both business and leisure. He was contemplating a return to flying and at the time of his death he was constructing yet another small boat in his garage! Some years ago he had contemplated a single handed crossing of the Atlantic but this did not come to pass, sadly.”
The thoughts and best wishes of the Association go out to his widow, Binnie, and his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.
Charlie Billington.