It is with great sadness that we share the news that Peter Jones — advocate for the community, investment analyst, and much-loved father and friend — passed away peacefully last week after a life dedicated to service and community spirit.
Peter served Stansted Mountfitchet with distinction for over 46 years on the Parish Council. Twice chairman, in the 1980s and 1990s, he was also a long-standing chair of the Finance Committee, where his career in the City earned him a reputation as a safe pair of hands. Even in his final year as a councillor, despite ill-health, Peter was active on six working groups covering issues from biodiversity to highways.
Born within the sound of the Bow Bells in London, Peter grew up above his parents’ grocery shop. His father, determined that Peter should have the education he himself had missed, encouraged him to excel; scholarships took Peter to Dulwich College and then to St John’s, Oxford. At university he developed an interest in politics, serving on Oxford City Council at the tender age of 21, before building a career as an investment analyst, leading research departments in several City stockbroking firms.
In 1973, Peter and his wife, Kaye, moved to Stansted to start their family. Three years later, he joined Uttlesford District Council, beginning a remarkable record of local public service. Among his many achievements over the decades were helping to establish the Day Centre (now TouchPoint), the Romeera Leisure Centre, improvements to the former Youth Centre in Lower Street and representing the Parish Council at the many and varied Public Inquiries into the redevelopment of Stansted Airport.
More recently he formed part of the working group that delivered the Mountfitchet Exchange, and he helped to establish Sustainable Stansted, reflecting his concern for climate change and his vision for the village’s future. For many years Peter devoted much of his time to the Neighbourhood Development Plan, which he saw as vital to shaping Stansted for generations to come.
A man of faith, Peter twice served as churchwarden at St John’s Church. He also took pride in fostering ties with Rungis, Stansted’s twin town in France.
Peter will be remembered as a man of integrity, intellect, and generosity. He leaves behind his daughter Sarah, his son Andrew, and many friends and colleagues who will miss him deeply.
Funeral Service
Peter’s funeral will be held on Monday 29th September at 12 noon at St John’s Church, Stansted.