Hero photograph
 
Photo by Tania Wright

Well done, good and faithful servant - Owen Jones

Rev Jenny Wilkens —

Owen Jones died recently at the age of 95 years and we honour Owen’s faithful contributions to the life of this parish over many decades, especially at our daughter church of St Thomas’, Strowan Road.


Owen grew up in St Andrew’s Square and attended Sunday School at St Thomas, where his mother was part of the congregation. They moved away for a time to Riccarton, but then Owen came back to St Thomas following his marriage to Lorraine when in their first home in Wairakei Rd.

Owen was on the Parish Vestry as St Thomas’ rep. in 1971 when Bob Lowe was Vicar, and then again from 2008-2012.

St Thomas:

• Assisted with services, wearing his cassock & surplice

• Sidesman for 50 years from 1954

• Looked after the grounds for 40 years from 1971, he said it took 1 hour weekly but he gave considerably more time, often completing odd jobs around the site

• Received a Community Service award in 2007, nominated by Beryl Newman

St Barnabas:

• Men’s Fellowship from 1956

• Indoor Bowls Tuesday nights – club captain for 10yrs, committee for 9 years, secretary for 26 yrs, this sadly closed in 2004 following declining numbers.

• Prepared Home Communion kits for taking communion out to those at home

• Assembled wafer boxes as part of the Wafer Room team

• Member of the Parish Banking team

• Organised mushroom compost for Parish Fairs, shared veges with many of us.

For Owen’s life, faith and friendship, we give thanks, and express our sympathy and love to Owen’s family.