John Richard Liron

John Richard Liron, 86, of Avondale, Arizona, USA, died unexpectedly on October 15, 2021.

A beloved father, a great host, a story teller, and world traveler, John forged lasting friendships everywhere he went, and he will be sorely missed by his family and everyone who knew him and his unfailing charm, cheer, wit, and wisdom.

John was born on March 15, 1935, in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, to John William Liron and Myra Margaret Liron (née Marie).

While his father was serving in the British Army in Europe and the Middle East, John, with mother, Myra, and brother, Douglas, was among those Jersey residents who were evacuated from Jersey to England, before the German Occupation in 1940, returning in 1945. Growing up, John was a boy scout, accomplished swimmer and water polo player, and Head Boy of his school. As was common at the time, he left school at age 15, and apprenticed as a carpenter joiner. In 1952 he met fellow dancing enthusiast Joan Anne Jackman, who had moved to Jersey, from London, with her parents and brother. John and Joan married in 1955 and went on to have five children: John, Debbie, Karen, Gail, and Richard. In 1961 John and Joan, helped by her father, went into the pub trade, in which they worked, phenomenally hard, and thrived, for 30 years, starting at the Great Western, which they later remodeled and renamed The Harbour Lights, and ending at The Adelphi. John and Joan were active in the Jersey Licensed Victuallers Association, and John was president in 1981. As a member of the Prince of Wales Lodge, part of the Province of Jersey Freemasons, the brotherhood, and the aims of the organization, Integrity, Friendship, Respect, and Charity, were an important part of life for John; he served as Worshipful Master in 1980/81, and was promoted to Provincial office in 1987; this year marked his 50th as a member.

In 1990 John and Joan built their first brand new home, in Arizona, and moved there for a much-deserved retirement in the sunshine, enjoying gardening, golf, woodworking, bowling, and travel. It being unlike John not to work at all, he took a job at the Wigwam Resort, and, characteristically, notched up 23 years there without missing a single day or even being late.

John was predeceased by his parents John and Myra Liron, his wife of 52 years, Joan Anne Liron, and his brother, Douglas Brian Liron. He is survived by his father’s dear second wife, Andrée; his brother, Peter Albert Liron, of Melville, Western Australia; sons: John Edward and Richard Adam; daughters: Debbie, Karen, and Gail; and, so dear to his heart, grandchildren: Adam; Becky; Jake; Hali; Hanna; Abby; Lexy; Rosie; Jay, Kipp, Zack, and Taye; and great grandchildren: Molly, Josie, and Fiona.

A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338, on Friday November 19, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.