Sad Farewell To Mr Canvey, Albert Jones

Well-known Canvey character Albert Jones, of Jones Corner fame, has died at 79 after a short illness. Mr Jones and his sister extended the family grocery and general goods business founded in 1928 by their father, and the premises became a focal point on the Island.

This was especially so in Canvey’s flood tragedy. A longstanding friend Mr Albert Thompson, 72, said: “The abiding memory to his many former customers, associates and friends, will be of the Jones’ life-sized bear standing outside the shop, which stayed open throughout the 1953 food. “It bore the proclamation, ‘Bear Up, Canvey will rise again,’ epitomising the spirit of Canvey during its worst period, and his own belief in its future. Mr Jones was a former Chamber of Trade president, and was part of Canvey’s development from a rural to an urban centre. His store earned a reputation for its standard of service and civility to customers. Mr Thompson described him as a man of integrity and humanity. He said: “He was generous in his help to local pensioners associations and to all who sought his advice. “He was nevertheless a fierce opponent of any projects he saw as detrimental to the inhabitants of Canvey.”

Mr Jones retired and sold his business 13 years ago. But Jones Corner is still a landmark and is listed as a destination in bus timetables. Mr Jones funeral is at 1.45pm on Thursday March 10 at St
Nicholas Church, Long Road, Canvey.