John Farley

From Jerripedia
Jump to: navigation, search



ShopIcon.png


John Farley


J19JohnFarley2.jpg




John Farley was a St Helier market trader for more than 60 years as well as dedicating his spare time to many charities and organisations. He was also a States Deputy for six years. This obituary was published in the Jersey Evening Post

J19JohnFarley.jpg

Mr Farley was born at First Tower on 4 March 1928 to Jack and Dorothy Farley. He grew up and was educated in the district, and in 1981 was elected Deputy for St Helier 3 and 4, which takes in First Tower. He served on a number of States committees, including Public Works, Tourism, Overseas Aid, Broadcasting and the Fort Regent Development Committee. He retired from the States in December 1987.

Respected States Member

Even though he spoke only once in the House, he was highly respected by his fellow States Members and in the wider community because of his strong work ethic, honesty and integrity.

He died at home in St Helier on 14 February 2015, four months after his wife of 60 years, Jean, who predeceased him in October 2014.

Mr Farley's voluntary service was recognised in 1977, when he was awarded the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal, and again in 2015's New Year's Honours List, when he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his services to the community and his role as the longest-serving tenant of the Central Market.

He left school shortly after Liberation and got a job with a local brewery – where his eagerness to help others got him the sack. His 'good deed' of taking it upon himself to deliver beer to a pub which had run out, but without his employer's permission, also led to the draymen going on strike.

Red Triangle Stores

Mr Farley's long association with Red Triangle Stores, which under his ownership became a local institution popular with generations of Islanders, began in 1952.

Mr Farley first became involved in the Battle of Flowers in 1951, and within five years he was secretary – a position he held for 11 years. He went on to serve as a council member and chairman of the association. He missed only one afternoon parade, when he was in hospital in the UK, but he flew back to attend the Moonlight Parade the following day.

Red Triangle Stores was sold by his family after he died. John's son, Kevin, who initially took over the running of the toy, luggage and hardware shop, said that it was an 'incredibly difficult decision' and that it was an 'end of an era'.

'People have been very supportive', he said. 'I wanted to keep the shop going while my father was still alive because it was such a passion of his - something that was not only his income, but his hobby.

'It was a central operations base where he could conduct all of his interests - The Battle of Flowers, the Green Room Club and the Lion's Club were run from this shop and I'm sure there were many States discussions that also went on here.'

'It has been a incredibly difficult decision and it does upset me, but I am not a retail person and I could never be as dedicated as my father was - I don't think anyone could be.

Family tree

Treeicon.jpg

Descendants of Joseph Farley

Personal tools
other Channel Islands
contact and contributions
Donate

Please support Jerripedia with a donation to our hosting costs