In Rememberance

FREDERICK JONES who passed away on 15 May 2006
Eulogy written by the Canon Price Morris from St Etherwalds Church Shotton.

Fred was born in Hackney, but at the tender age of six months he moved with his family to live in Garston, Liverpool. His early life was not easy for him, having to spend a lot of it in and out of residential homes. During the war he was evacuated to North Wales to live on a farm. He loved it learning such skills as milking the cows. He used to get up at 4 o clock in the morning to do that. But the breakfasts were worth getting up for. He would tuck into a full British breakfast when most of the country was limited to a couple of eggs and a rasher of bacon a week.

At the age of 17 Fred joined the Army as a Boy Soldier. It was then that his musical career began. So good did he prove at music that he was sent to the famous Nether Hall to be trained as a really top musician? He proved his worth there, for he gained the Cousins Memorial Gold Medal. Fred was a trombonist. He was in demand and was invites to join the Coldstream Guards and other regiments. He ended up in the Kings.

Being a bandsman brought various perks for Fred. He was on the maiden voyage of the Canberra, one of the great liners of the world. He was also invited to play in the Australian Light Orchestra. He stayed in the army until he was 32.

When he came out music would still be the real draw in his life. He was a professional; he joined and indeed formed various dance bands. He was able to provide a great deal of backing for top singing artists of the day. Fred did theatre and dance band work all over the country, yet he still had contacts with the army as he served in the TA until 1988.

But such was his musical skill that Fred was a teacher of music and instruments. He taught at the St. Vincent School for the Blind in Liverpool. He loved teaching young people, always keeping a watchful eye for really brilliant musicians. His whole life was devoted to music. So when he came to live in these parts five years ago he joined a number of local brass and silver bands, such as Deeside, Buckley and Holywell.
It’s good to see members here today.

But he did like soccer and he supported the best team in the world, namely Liverpool. Even when he was unconscious one of the girls whispered that his team had won the FA cup. It is thought that he understood.

Talking of his girls, he loved his family so much and they are blessed with all good memories of this warm and talented man who was loved by them and loved them in return. He also adored his grandchildren. They would go and listen to him practicing, something he for an hour every day. They were the only ones allowed to touch his instruments and even given a try.

What else can we do but celebrate the life of this delightful man. He has given so much to his family, his pupils, his colleagues and friends. Indeed, the world has been a better place for him being in it. We thank God for Fred Jones, musician, husband, dad, granddad and brother. A gentleman worthy of the name.

EDNA, ELAINE, JEANETE, ANDREW, SHARON, NICK, LYNNE, EDDY, SYLVIA

STEPHEN, DAVID, JACK, MAISY, ILER, ANDREW, SAM, JAMIE, LEAH, BECKY, CHRISTOPHER, BILLY and LILY