We regret to record Richard Jones, a local resident of Lady Lane House, sadly passed away on Thursday, 5 March.
Richard was originally from Goatstown, Dublin, and lived for many years in Britain, where he devoted himself to volunteering for different organisations.
He caught up with The Munster Express in July, 2025 to share his story, and told us that while living in Bristol, he helped out in the kitchen of a homeless hostel to make sure people there were fed and safe for the night.
Along with this incredible work, he also undertook outdoor volunteer jobs for the Avon Wildlife Trust in Bristol, and at an edition of the Paralympic Games in London.
Richard told us that this role in particular had a profound impact on him, and he took the life lesson of resilience from it.
Richard was based along with four others at Paddington Train Station during the Paralympics and was tasked with answering questions from tourists. After a brief mix-up involving directions at one-point, he did not dwell on his mistake. “I re-learned, and was reminded of something. Stay in the mix and do your best. Don’t worry too much about success and failure,” he told this newspaper.
A quote that Richard told us he particularly resonated with was from the poet Rumi, and it reads: “You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?” This felt apt, considering all of the different life experiences and places that he lived in. It was clear from speaking to Richard that he lived a selfless life that was thoroughly devoted to helping others through volunteer work.
Richard was aged in his 80s, and tributes were paid to him online from across the country. One person wrote that he was “a gentle and humble man who was always a pleasure to spend time with.”
Richard is predeceased by his parents Richard and Grace, and brother Eoin. His Requiem Mass took place on Tuesday, 10 March last, at the Church of St. Fintan, Sutton, Dublin. He was laid to rest afterwards in St. Fintan’s Cemetery.
He will be very sadly missed by his family, including his brother Niall, sisters Margery and Marianne, brothers-in-law John and John, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and all of the staff at Lady Lane.
May Richard rest in peace.
ROBYN POWER
